Everywhere you look, Iowans are uniting like never before. While times may be tough right now, we’re seeing it won’t stop the great people in the state from supporting one another. Many have taken to social media to help those in their communities, share helpful resources or to simply highlight something positive to bring joy to others. The Week in Social will round up the best of #IowansUnite and share these uplifting stories.
At @uihealthcare, one medical laboratory scientist is involved in an important aspect of coronavirus preparedness. Read how Lisa Horning manages the supply and distribution of the cotton swabs that are used to collect samples from patients for testing. https://t.co/T3EfVsfsFz pic.twitter.com/yGJb5Iv9E3
— University of Iowa (@uiowa) May 26, 2020
Medical laboratory scientist Lisa Horning normally sticks to the lab on the fifth floor of University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics’ Roy Carver Pavilion. These days, she’s bringing her walking shoes to work. Horning covers ground visiting different departments and has seen her step count on her watch reach 10 miles in one day.
Since COVID-19 hit, Horning has taken on a different role: managing the distribution of oral and nasal pharyngeal cotton swabs, a specific type of swab that is necessary to make sure the tests are accurate. A normal household cotton swab simply won’t do the trick.
"The test can only be performed on these types of swabs," she said, before adding with a laugh, "I know a lot more about swabs than I did several weeks ago."
This upcoming weekend, Iowa residents can try out fishing without buying a license, as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) free fishing weekend running from June 5–7. Fishing is a great activity for social distancing, as it is easy to keep 6 feet of distance between you and other groups enjoying Iowa’s many stocked lakes, rivers and ponds. For more information and resources on fishing in Iowa, read here.
Iowa residents can try fishing without buying a license on June 5, 6 and 7 during free fishing weekend!
— Iowa DNR (@iowadnr) May 26, 2020
Details: https://t.co/6IGcnJYVyo#IowaFishing #FishIowa pic.twitter.com/8WhgVvfMoW
Local and regional travel with a nostalgic vibe... sounds like we're headed to college towns! ??https://t.co/czJmGsKMSr
— Lonely Planet (@lonelyplanet) May 28, 2020
Lonely Planet, a travel account with a following of 6.3 million Twitter users, recently listed five college towns that are ideal post-COVID destinations. Why college towns, you ask?
"College towns have a lot going for them as early post-COVID travel destinations: Whether or not you have a personal connection to the school, these small cities tend to have warm and welcoming residents, a wide range of recreational activities and quality healthcare systems to put your mind at ease as you dip your toe back into travel, post-quarantine," wrote Winona Dimeo-Ediger.
Topping the list was Iowa City, home to the University of Iowa. Suggestions for places to visit include Prairie Lights bookstore, the Graduate Hotel, Bluebird Diner and Kinnick Stadium (if possible).
Drive-in movies just feel like summertime, right? Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, in coordination with Cedar Falls Downtown District, is hosting free drive-in movies this summer on the University of Northern Iowa campus. While the movies are free to attend, tickets are required, using a UNItix account. Upcoming movies include baseball (and Iowa) classic "Field of Dreams," Pixar’s heartwarming family film "Moana," and the coming-of-age adventure classic "The Goonies."
Did you see that the @GBPAC in coordination with @CFDowntown are hosting FREE Drive-in movies on the campus of @northerniowa?
— SturgisFalls (@SturgisFalls) May 27, 2020
Advance tickets are required, use UNItix account & reserve starting May 29.
We are #CedarValleyStrong! #ThisIsIowa #DiscoverUNIhttps://t.co/pmQvmzQ9ei pic.twitter.com/7FDKAihyUA
