The novel coronavirus continues to be spotlighted as the World Health Organization has deemed the illness a pandemic. 

Iowa Senator Jerry Behn of Boone says Governor Kim Reynolds has been in contact with the other 49 state governors, as well as the federal government, to establish protocols for different stages of infection in the state. However, as for using state funds against the virus, Behn says that hasn’t yet been discussed at the legislature.

“Not exactly yet. I think the big question is exactly what would it be used for and exactly what would we do?”

Behn points out there has been discussion about not debating every day for the rest of the session to cut down on the foot traffic inside the statehouse. Behn does not believe that would be necessary at this time.

“Currently in Iowa the cases that we have are all cases that you can find the specific spot where they were infected. And so as long as it remains confined to that arena I don’t know if we need to do anything else.”

Behn says if the illness is being spread through a community, more action will need to be taken. He adds, they don’t want to overreact with any decisions, but will still keep public safety in mind. To hear more from Behn on this and other legislative topics, listen to tomorrow’s Community State Bank in Paton Let’s Talk Greene County program.