Coronavirus forcing closures, new restrictions throughout Fairfield

FAIRFIELD – The spread of the coronavirus around the world has put some countries under lock down, and now it's affecting Jefferson County, too.

Nearly every walk of life is now affected by closures designed to slow the virus's spread, which has killed 6,500 people across the globe and has now infected 22 people in Iowa.

Schools

Perhaps the most dramatic step taken to date was Sunday's announcement from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds recommending all schools in the state close for four weeks, which schools followed immediately, canceling class for Monday, 16.

Fairfield Community School District posted on its website that the district will not have classes until April 13, unless the Governor's office recommends otherwise. All extra-curricular activities are suspended until that time. Buildings and busses will continue to be disinfected. Students will be allowed in the buildings to get personal items at a time to be determined later. Maharishi School also announced that it was following Gov. Reynolds' advice and closing school for four weeks.

One service that may continue during the shutdown is cooking breakfast and lunch. Food service director Stephanie Hawkins said she has sent an application to the Department of Education to allow the district to deliver breakfast and lunch. She said the meals will be non-congregate, meaning the students will not meet at a central location like they do for summer meals. She said it will likely be packaged meals the students can pick up or be delivered to their home.

'Our staff are chomping at the bit because we want to feed kids,” she said.

Health center

The Jefferson County Health Center has announced that it is able to provide COVID-19 screening.

'Determined by the screening and Iowa Department of Public Health, we are able to collect a nasal swab for testing to be performed at the state hygienic lab in Coralville. We are able to care for patients diagnosed with COVID-19,” stated a news release from the health center.

The news release stated that the health center is taking steps to reduce the spread of the virus and to ensure the safety of the community. This includes:

' Visitor restrictions and the suspension of its registered walkers and other volunteer programs until further notice.

' For patients with a cough or fever, we ask that they call the JCHC Clinic or Emergency Department before arriving to begin the screening process. If the health center knows in advance, it can direct patients to an area away from the main public areas.

' The health center has set up a COVID-19 Hotline at 641-469-4180 to answer any questions. This hotline is open 24/7.

City

Fairfield city officials are encouraging residents to pay their city utilities online by visiting its website cityoffairfieldiowa.com and click on 'Pay Bills.” The city offers a drop box in the alley on the north side of city hall where your payment goes into a safe locked box. Residents may also sign up for automatic bill pay from a checking or savings account.

The Fairfield Public library is canceling its programming for at least two weeks beginning March 16.

The city plans to continue to hold council meetings. The meetings are 7 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of the month. Though the meetings are open to the public, the city requests that residents watch them online at www.youtube.com/FairfieldMediaCenter.

'The city's focus remains the continuity of critical operations: the police and fire departments, providing clean water, sewer services, trash and recycling collection,” according to a news release from city hall. 'Changes in operating schedules, cancellations, or other alterations to City operations and facilities will be communicated as circumstances evolve.”

Parks and Recreation

The Fairfield Parks & Recreation Department has announced that the Roosevelt Community Recreation Center will remain open, but with new rules to combat the virus's spread.

Immediately and until further notice, the following have all been canceled:

' All group activities

' Leagues

' Fitness classes

' Camps

' Pick-up games such as basketball and volleyball

' After-school programs

' Tiny Tykes and the free indoor playroom for kids (children are asked to remain at home)

' Manuel equipment for pool use has been put away

' Small game equipment such as balls, racquets and masks will no longer be available; patrons must bring their own.

All patrons will be required to disinfect all contact points on any and all equipment that they use. Those with symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to stay home and away from the public. The elderly and those with compromised immune systems are encouraged to stay home for their own safety.

Maharishi International University

In a letter sent out Friday, March 13, Maharishi International University president John Hagelin announced the university will remain open, but with a number of changes aimed at avoiding gatherings both large and small.

'Other schools are closing down for the remainder of the year, but we know that for many of you, particularly our international and independent students, this would be very impractical or costly and (for international students) could result in termination of your studies,” Hagelin wrote.

Hagelin wrote that the policies outlined in his letter were not just a 'necessary inconvenience” but rather that they were 'vital to the life and health of all of us.”

The policy changes are:

' Postponing spring break and starting the April block on March 23. All subsequent blocks will start one week earlier than schedule.

' The university asks MIU students, faculty and staff not to travel outside Jefferson County. For those who do, they will likely be required to engage in isolation for 14 days after returning, which means no interaction with the public.

' Promoting online, in-room teaching for Fairfield on-campus courses to minimize person-to-person contact.

' Keep Annapurna cafeteria safe by requiring diners to use hand sanitizer outside the entrance and limiting the cafeteria's use to students, staff and faculty.

' Canceling public events

' Requesting students and staff to do as much as they can by phone or email.

' Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others whenever possible.

' Suspending group program

' Advising against shaking hands and for sneezing into one's elbow or a tissue.

' Requesting those who are not feeling well to stay home.

In subsequent correspondence, the university announced new rules for its recreation center:

' Beginning March 16, the MIU Grace Ananda Recreation Center will be open only to MIU and Maharishi School students, faculty and staff to reduce the number of people using it.

' The weight room is closed until further notice.

' Hand sanitizer, wipes and hand-washing will be required before using equipment, as well as cleaning the equipment afterward.