As many states implement shelter-at-home orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of opponents have begun protesting at state capitals.

While there hasn’t been the same activity in Iowa yet as there is currently not a strict self-quarantine order, the Iowa Department of Public Health warns that potential protesters do so at their own risk. Ann Cochran, Health Navigator and Public Information Officer with the Dallas County Health Department, says while it is a person’s constitutional right to peacefully gather in protest, doing so now puts not only themselves but their loved ones at risk. “The thing that they have to consider is, they’re making an informed decision that should they gather together there would be likely some kind of community spread. It’s very likely that they could be exposed to COVID by doing the protesting, and then they would in turn possibly spread it to their own families. So that’s something that I hope that anybody who’s considering doing protesting is keeping that in mind.”

Governor Kim Reynolds has also ordered that violations of her proclamation can result in a misdemeanor charge. Cochran encourages people to adhere to the latest safety information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the Governor’s health emergency proclamations. To learn more about the latest steps being taken locally against the spread of coronavirus, click the link below to listen to the recent Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program with Cochran.

https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2020/04/22/lets-talk-dallas-county-4-22-2020-ann-cochran/