Lang
8/26/20
University of Iowa president Bruce Harreld is pointing a finger at downtown Iowa City businesses for what he sees as their part in failing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among the school’s students.
In an open letter to the downtown business community posted on the UI coronavirus web site, Harreld cites social distancing and mask mandates issued by the Iowa City city council, the Johnson County Boards of Supervisors and Public Health, and Governor Kim Reynolds. Harreld wrote: “Over the past two weeks, I have been exceedingly disappointed in some of the downtown Iowa City businesses and your choices to disregard the proclamation from the governor. These actions have led to an increase in the transmission of COVID-19 in our community, and we, as a community, will now have to respond.”
Harreld cited some of those guidelines, including:
- Ensuring at least 6 feet of physical distance between each group or individual dining or drinking alone.
- Ensuring all patrons have a seat at a table or bar, and
- Limiting patrons from congregating together closer than 6 feet.
Nancy Bird, director of the Iowa City Downtown District, told The Daily Iowan that she was unaware of the letter until she was informed by the newspaper. Bird added many downtown businesses were unaware as well.
Harreld reiterated his feelings at Tuesday night’s UI Student Government meeting, telling senators, ““It is really, really troubling for me. I’m not actually blaming you as much as I am the people that operate the bars.”
The New York Times reports Iowa City is one of the top-ten cities with the fastest-rising cases of COVID-19 in the country.