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Over the last year, Iowans (and the world) have been learning how to live with the coronavirus pandemic. Since early 2020, there have been roughly 337,000 cases and just over 5,400 deaths in the state, according to The New York Times database. With vaccines rolling out and much of Iowa starting to reopen, it can be difficult to keep track of what’s going on and how it affects you. Here’s a breakdown.

Masks

On Sunday, February 7, 2021 Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds lifted the Iowa mask mandate and social distancing requirements, according to CNBC. This meant that statewide the public is no longer required to wear masks in indoor public places, and there are no limits on the number of people in gatherings. Although these restrictions were lifted, Reynolds recommended that Iowans and businesses continue to take measures that follow the guidelines of the Iowa Department of Public Health.

According to the IDPH, “A cloth face mask can help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa. Protect yourself and your community by wearing a face covering when out in public and when social distancing is not possible.”

The lifting of restrictions was concerning to many Iowans because, at the time of Reynolds’ action, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was reporting that Iowa is ranked 47th per capita in the U.S. for vaccine distributions. KCCI reported that many Iowans are wondering why Reynolds relaxed the restrictions so early because only a small percentage of the state’s population has received the vaccine. According to Reynolds, Iowa has been receiving vaccines at a lower rate for distributions in comparison to other states. She has asked federal officials to explain and provide more vaccines to the state.

Vaccines

Beginning on February 1, 2021, COVID-19 vaccines were made available to Iowans that are either 65 years or older, first responders, teachers (preschool to high school level), childcare workers, healthcare workers and care facilities staff. According to Our World in Data, there have been around 754,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine distributed to Iowans since December 2020. Of the 754,000 doses, there are 194,000 Iowans that are fully vaccinated. That leaves approximately 1.4 million unvaccinated Iowans that are 18 years or older. So when can you get one?

The priority that the Iowa Department of Public Health has set for vaccine distributions is currently in phase 1B, which has five tiers. The first tier is for first responders, childcare workers, and teachers and is currently ongoing. The second tier is for manufacturing workers who work in settings that do not allow for social distancing and individuals with disabilities and their care staff. This tier is not yet eligible. Tier three is for those who live in congregate settings and government officials. Tier four covers health and safety inspectors. The last tier to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will be the correctional facilities staff and incarcerated individuals. According to the IDPH, information about the next phase, phase 1C, will be released in the spring.

Vaccine Side-Effects

One of the Iowans who has received the COVID-19 vaccine is senior nursing student, Abel Kah. In February, Kah got his second dose of the Moderna vaccine through Polk County Health Services. He was eligible due to working in the healthcare field. It was an easy process where he needed to sign up on the website and make an appointment. Kah said that his experience getting the COVID-19 vaccine was like that of the flu shot.

“The only bad experience I had was my muscles were so sore the next morning; it went on for that entire day,” Kah said.

Even though this was his experience, Kah acknowledged that not everyone feels better the day after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

“One of (my nursing friends) couldn’t come to clinical the next morning because they had their first shot and weren’t feeling good,” Kah said. “They were kind of under the weather.”

What Kah and his friends were feeling is not uncommon for someone who has received the COVID vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are a few common side effects that your body needs to go through to build protection.

An immediate side effect of the vaccine is pain and swelling in the individual’s arm where the shot took place. The CDC recommends applying a wet washcloth over the area and exercising the arm. Additional side effects that are common include fever, chills, fatigue and headaches. To combat this, the CDC said to drink a lot of fluids and to wear lightweight clothing. If these side effects do not stop after a few days, it is recommended to contact your doctor.

Masks After Vaccination

“From my own point of view and what I’m seeing right now, I think wee are on the right path with the vaccine.”

Abel Kah

Although he is vaccinated, Kah said he will continue following the CDC guidelines of wearing masks, staying six feet apart, and taking necessary precautions.

“We also don’t yet know whether getting a COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to other people, even if you don’t get sick yourself,” a statement from the CDC reads.

Therefore, it’s recommended that even after being vaccinated, individuals should continue to follow the guidelines of mask wearing and social distancing. By doing so, the communities can work together to stop the spread of COVID-19. Kah said he recognizes that a lot of Iowans are not yet vaccinated, so he is also doing his part to ensure everyone around him is safe.

Kah recommended that the GV community and his fellow nursing peers should continue to follow healthcare guidelines. He said to pay attention to new CDC guidelines and listen to healthcare experts so that the community can continue to do things in-person but in the safest way possible.

“From my own point of view and what I’m seeing right now, I think we are on the right path with the vaccine,” Kah said.