Brief Messages or Announcements – Page 13

Snow Removal in Iowa City

Iowa City has web pages for the rules on snow removal by the city plows and by residents.

You can see the pdf of the map for residential street priorities for snow removal.

Shoveling snow or using a heavy snow blower can be hazardous to your health. There is guidance from the National Safety Council about how to remove snow. On the other hand, there are definite rules about clearing snow from your sidewalk.

There are no rules against juggling snowballs that I know of.

Winter Storm Watch in Iowa

The National Weather Service has a Winter Storm Watch out for several counties in Iowa, starting Monday evening, January 8, 2024 through Wednesday evening. There’s a possibility of 8-13 inches of snow and blustery winds.

CDC Weekly Snapshot Shows Respiratory Virus Activity High

As of January 5, 2024, CDC is reporting that respiratory illness is increasing across the country. The levels are generally high in almost all regions.

“Activity Levels Update:

The amount of respiratory illness (fever plus cough or sore throat) causing people to seek healthcare is elevated or increasing across most areas of the country. This week, 39 jurisdictions experienced high or very high activity.
Nationally, emergency department visits due to influenza and COVID-19 are elevated in all age groups and increasing in all but school-aged children. Recent, holiday-related school closures and associated changes in healthcare seeking behavior may be impacting trends in influenza- and COVID-19-related visits among school-aged children. RSV-related emergency department visits decreased slightly nationally.
Nationally, COVID-19 wastewater viral activity levels and test percent positivity—indicators for infection levels—are higher than the same time last year (currently estimated as being 27% higher and 17% higher, respectively). However, indicators for illness requiring medical attention are lower, including emergency department rates being 21% lower than the same time last year.”

Martin Luther King Jr Day 2024!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day is officially the third Monday of January every year. It’s January 15, 2024 this year. It’s really a community affair, which hopefully expands more broadly out to all people.

There are a number of events planned. In the spirit of emphasizing the community projects, here’s the high points:

The University of Iowa general announcement highlights the food drive and service goals.

The City of Coralville web site lists many activities, including an opportunity to help paint a community mural on January 15th!

The Iowa City web page lists several activities as well, including an MLK Day Family Storytime on January 15^th.

CDC Reports Respiratory Virus Activity Increasing

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported respiratory illness leading to visits to the emergency room and hospitalization are rising across the country.

“Seasonal influenza activity is elevated and increasing in most parts of the country.
COVID-19 activity also remains elevated overall and is increasing in many areas.  Based on the biweekly period ending 12/23/2023, JN.1 is predicted to be the most prevalent SARS-CoV-2 lineage nationally.
RSV activity remains elevated in many areas of the country, though decreases have been observed in some areas.
Hospital bed occupancy and capacity, including within intensive care units, remain stable nationally.”