Experts React to Gov. Reynolds Failed Pandemic Response That Differs From CDC Mask Guidance
Worse than no mandate. Critical loopholes. She fell short. Medical professionals and business owners are reacting to the latest failure on the part of Gov. Kim Reynolds to fight back against the coronavirus pandemic.
Monday night Reynolds gave a statewide address to announce new measures, including requiring masks, but only while inside, within six feet, and for longer than fifteen minutes. Reynolds’ new measure differs from the CDC guidance on masks, which states that “people age 2 and older should wear masks in public settings and when around people who don’t live in their household.”
Here are a few of the responses from Iowa’s experts:
“It’s worse than no mandate. You don’t need a mask unless you’re next to someone for longer than 15 minutes, which is never in the community.”
“(Gov.) Reynolds’ lack of serious, consistent messaging just has Iowans throwing up their hands and not taking her seriously. As far back as June, she claimed Iowa had moved into the “recovery” phase. Was she getting bad information or just spinning it?”
“If she truly cared about the economy, (Gov. Reynolds) would NOT restrict elective procedures to artificially & temporarily boost capacity while bankrupting hospitals/clinics. She WOULD put into effect cheap mitigation strategies that save lives & livelihoods.”
“We shouldn’t have so many critical loopholes. We also need good enforcement plans.”
“We need real action and we need it 9 months ago. (Gov. Reynolds) your 9 months of ineffective policy and lack of action is giving birth to the collapse of our healthcare system and the death of many Iowans. Stop the theatric display and employ some real science in policy.”
“I think she fell short. We feel mask-wearing is essential to keeping our doors open. We require a mask and 99% of our customers are compliant. But we have some leave because they don’t want to wear masks. I just feel if it was required of everybody that it would take the politics and personal views out of this and everyone would have to do it.”
Because of Governor Reynolds’ failed response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Iowa has suffered more than 2,000 deaths and more than 190,000 confirmed cases. Progress Iowa is petitioning the Governor to issue a mask mandate for all public places, in accordance with CDC recommendations.
