Covid turnaround for July

One month ago, I would not have guessed that things would be where they are today, Covid-wise.  One month ago, June 1, it looked like maybe we'd flattened the curve. The number of covid cases was kind of in a plateau--maybe a high plateau, like a mesa? Things looked pretty calm.

1 July Covid cases in U.S. graph from NYTimes.com

But one month ago was about when many states in the US started opening up, allowing restaurants and bars to open, and stopping regular briefings on the virus. States that had shelter-in-place orders were lifting those orders (Iowa was one of very few states that never did have an order).

At first, things were OK. But then. Well, you can see for yourself, and you probably have. The hardest hit states are in the south, with Florida, Texas, and Arizona all reporting big surges in infections and hospitalizations, but the Times noted that 39 states (!) had growth in reported cases over the past 2 weeks. Including Iowa.

It's gotten so bad that many states are pausing, or even reversing, their reopening decisions. And even Republicans are starting to wear masks and urging people to wear them. Not Trump, of course. He is such a disaster.

I've noticed more people NOT wearing masks when I've been out. The other day when I stopped in at the grocery store for just a few items, the only other person I saw with a mask was the cashier. And today at the post office, the workers were wearing masks, but none of the customers (except me). One customer was a gentleman who looked to be over 65. . . what are people thinking?

I think they are thinking that Covid is over. Maybe they haven't seen the graphs.

There were no recommendations for mask-wearing in the guidelines for reopening schools this fall that Iowa's Department of Education published this week. There was some odd language about not allowing people to be shamed for not wearing masks. ("Teach and reinforce the prevention of stigma associated with the use or non-use of facial coverings to support a respectful, inclusive, and supportive school environment.")

Meanwhile, Coe seems to be forging ahead with its plan to open on-campus. The college is going to supply students with masks and faceshields! Yay! Faculty will get masks and faceshields, too.
On the other hand, we've got a strange plan for getting students to campus. Returning students (upperclassmen) can move in August 10-13. First-years move in August 14-15.

Classes start August 19.

What will the students be doing all that time between move-in and classes starting? The returning students might be on campus for 10 days before classes start.

I'm planning the Writing Center New Consultant Orientation (which will probably take place mostly online this year, right before classes start), so I asked the Residence Life staff what they had planned for students. Is there programming happening during that time? Res Life says nope. Students will be expected to "keep to themselves" in their dorms while awaiting Covid testing, which Coe is arranging for everyone. First-years will have some "static programming" for orientation, but nothing in large groups, of course.
So 1400 students on a campus with little to do other than wait. What could possibly go wrong?

Here's a hint: two Iowa counties experiencing huge surges in Covid--among the 18-34 year old crowd--are Johnson County and Story County, the homes of University of Iowa and Iowa State, and where athletes have just returned to campus for practices.

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In fun news, we had a little weekend getaway with Robbie and Aubrey, up in Decorah, Iowa (which has reported only 32 cases of Covid). We planned this trip a few weeks ago when we found out that Aubrey's employer prohibited out-of-state travel, which mean she would be unable to join her family at their Wisconsin cabin. A trip to Decorah in "lower Minnesota" would be a nice way to get away for a bit, but stay in-state.

We had a great time, staying in an Airbnb, visiting Robbie's alma mater--Luther College--and visiting lots of beautiful outdoor spots. We self-catered some meals and also supported local restaurants that had carry-out.

Seed Savers Exchange is a great place to see heirloom vegetables and flowers growing in demonstration gardens.

I took this photo of Aubrey taking a photo of Robbie taking a photo of Dunning's Springs waterfall. Very "meta."