Gazette Daily News Briefing, January 23 and January 24
This is Stephen Schmidt from the Gazette digital news desk and I’m here with your update for Saturday Jan. 23 and Sunday Jan. 24.
Except for small subgroups who enjoy snow-based masochism the weather is going to be a bit terrible for most of us Saturday, before warming up on Sunday. According to the National Weather Service, there will be a high near 23 degrees during the day on Saturday in the Cedar Rapids area, with windchill values dropping as low as 10 degrees below zero. The temperature will then climb, and with that will come a chance for precipitation. Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. there will be a 30 percent chance for snow. Then Saturday night there will be a 80 percent chance of snow, potentially turning into freezing rain as Saturday heads into Sunday and the temperature continues to rise. Little or no ice accumulation is expected, but new snowfall of more than 2 inches during the day is possible.
Then Sunday it will be pretty nice in comparison, turning to mostly cloudy skies and a high near 31 degrees. Even the wind will calm down after a windy week, blowing at 5 mph.
The Ames Police Department is investigating after a student was found dead Friday morning in the parking lot of the Delta Delta Delta sorority house. Police say no foul play is suspected as the student, 21-year-old Olivia Chutich, was discovered on the ground after being last seen Thursday night.Chutich is the daughter of Allina Health CEO Dr. Penny Wheeler and Minnesota State Supreme Court Justice Margaret Chutich. They released a statement Friday night expressing grief and a desire for privacy.
The demand for the COVID-19 vaccine may only be matched by the amount of frustration at how slowly it is becoming available in Iowa. State and local public health officials have warned that, based on the current supply of vaccines, it likely will take some time before everyone who qualifies receives a shot. State estimates put the total number of individuals who qualify under Phase 1B at about 660,000.
In the meantime, the state receives roughly 19,500 doses per week from federal officials, which are fewer doses per capita than most other states. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is working with the state’s congressional leaders to determine why that is,
However, as a result, local public health departments say their offices are being flooded with the highest call volume since the pandemic began. State officials are urging residents not to call clinics or pharmacies because they don’t have any details to share at this time.
“We’re getting 50 to 60 calls a day from people who want the vaccine and heard they can get it,” said Matt Osterhaus, pharmacist and owner of Osterhaus Pharmacy in Maquoketa.
Phase 1B is set to begin on February 1. It expends those eligible for the vaccine to first responders, K-12 school staff, manufacturing and distribution workers in at-risk industries, caretakers for vulnerable individuals, and people over the age of 65. Meanwhile, the state has had trouble meeting demand for Phase 1A of its vaccine rollout, which targeted hospital frontline workers and those who work in long term care facilities.
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