Iowa’s winter certainly dealt a blow to Re. Sue Cahill’s plans this past week. While shoveling her front steps on Monday morning before heading to the Capitol, the ice scored a major victory by upending Cahill and leaving her with a broken upper arm. She received excellent care at the Unity Point Urgent Care and later with the Orthopedics of the Unity Point Specialty Clinic.

The diagnosis slowed down Cahill’s attendance at in-person committee meetings and debate through the week although she was able to watch and observe the meetings on-line. She hopes to be back to the Capitol on Monday. She offered this advice to all, “We need to respect the Iowa winter and adjust to its perspective. We can work together if we go slow and provide the extra supports of salt, caution and common sense. We are all in this together!”

Commandant Timon Oujiri gave a report on the Iowa Veteran’s Home to the Veterans Affairs committee on Thursday concerning their status during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The Commandant commended the staff and residents for their dedication and work to keep the pandemic from overtaking the facility. He stated that 28 residents have tested positive with the virus since last March and that five residents have died with COVID-19.

He noted that staff from all parts of the facility contributed to keeping the numbers low compared to other long-term care facilities. He specifically mentioned the maintenance staff who created “cuddle curtains” so residents could hug their families, the activities staff who keep spirits up with “hall bingo” while maintaining social distancing, the housekeeping staff for increased sanitation procedures, the dining staff for inventive ways to present meals to the residents, and the nursing staff who adjusted to the safety and health requirements put out by the various governing agencies. He stated that with the direction of medical director Dr. Joseph Hoagbin and the Nursing Home Administrator Penny Cutler-Bermudez that the facility used cohorts of patients and staff to prevent spread of the virus.

The Commandant reported that 93 percent of the residents and 63 percent of the staff have taken advantage of the vaccines. This opens up additional visiting options if residents and family members have had the vaccines. Commandant Oujiri repeatedly praised all the staff for keeping the residents safe during this difficult year. Thank you to all the staff of the Iowa Veterans Home for handling the pandemic with continued honor, respect and integrity for all the residents. We appreciate your continued efforts on behalf of our veterans.

Please contact me at sue.cahill@legis.iowa.gov.

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Sue Cahill is the state representative for District 71. Contact her at Sue.Cahill@legis.iowa.gov.