(Radio Iowa) — Two eastern Iowa legislators — both Democrats — have urged leaders to take more precautions in the state capitol to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Senator Bill Dotzler of Waterloo suggests the legislature complete its work as quickly as possible and adjourn for the year.

“Our capitol is certainly a place where different viruses and colds are spread easily because people come from all over the state of Iowa, meet with us…and it’s very easy quite often stuff is transmitted through this capitol,” Dotzler says. Dotzler has suggested hand sanitizer dispensers be placed throughout the statehouse.

“It might help remind some of the individuals that are out there to shake our hands that, I guess, we should probably work more toward fist bumps or elbow bumps,” Dotzler says. Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City says getting the 2020 legislative session concluded quickly makes some sense.

“I know across the state businesses are preparing,” Bolkcom says. “I know our universities are preparing for classes not to continue and figuring out how to finish the semester online.” Bolkcom made his comments late last week, BEFORE state officials revealed there are SEVEN presumptive positive cases of Covid-19 in Johnson County.

“The capitol is a place where people from all over the state visit on a daily basis. It’s kind of an incumbator for colds and flus and potentially the spread of Covid-19,” Bolkcom says. “I hope we don’t have to deal with it.” The top Republican in the Iowa Senate says legislative leaders are talking with the governor on a regular basis and prepared to follow her recommendations.