School Districts Across Iowa Grapple With COVID-19 Surge

By Ben Kieffer,

Published November 13, 2020 at 4:44 PM CST

COVID-19 cases continue to spike across Iowa, raising concerns for many educators and families.

The test positivity rate for COVID-19 is at or above 15 percent in at least 95 of Iowa’s 99 counties. For many districts, this means reevaluating in-person learning and petitioning the state for a possible waiver to state-mandated, in-class instruction.

On this episode of River to River, a look at the biggest news stories of the week. Host Ben Kieffer is joined by Grant Gerlock for a look at how school districts are handing dramatic spikes in COVID-19 cases, and Erin Jordan, investigative report with The Gazette joins the program to discuss why some Iowans are concerned about how the state is recording 14-day positivity rates relating to the pandemic.

Guests:

Grant Gerlock, Iowa Public Radio Central Iowa reporter
Erin Jordan, investigative reporter with The Gazette
Katie Peikes, Iowa Public Radio Western Iowa reporter
Pete Damiano, Bernstein professor and Director of the Public Policy Center at the University of Iowa
Isha Kalia, recent high school graduate, Marion
Tony Dehner, Iowa Public Radio Studio One host

School Districts Across Iowa Grapple With COVID-19 Surge

The test positivity rate for COVID-19 is at or above 15 percent in at least 95 of Iowa’s 99 counties. For many districts, this means reevaluating in-person learning and petitioning the state for a possible waiver to state-mandated, in-class instruction.

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