West DSM News

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is concerned that the new government guidance on masks could lead to mask mandates across the country.

State Sen. Jake Chapman (R-Adel) from Dallas County wrote on Facebook that he was appreciative of the governor’s efforts to leave mask wearing as personal choice.

“Thank you, Gov. Reynolds!” Chapman said in the post. “The Biden administration has demonstrated once again they are inept and are actually harming their own cause! Remind me again why we should trust the government when they impose these type of bait and switch tactics!"

Recently the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in some parts of the U.S., KCCI reported.

When the CDC changed its guidance on May 13 for vaccinated people, the delta variant represented 1% of infections.  According to the CDC, it now represents 83% of reported cases.

"When you get information about risks and how to mitigate risks, there's a public health obligation to let people know about it," a senior administration official with the CDC said, according to KCCI.

Reynolds has said the vaccine remains the strongest tool against COVID-19 and that she trusts Iowans to do the right thing, KCCI reported.

“The Biden administration’s new COVID-19 guidance telling fully vaccinated Iowans to now wear masks is not only counterproductive to our vaccination efforts, but also not grounded in reality or common sense,” Reynolds said in a press release, as reported by KCCI. “I’m concerned that this guidance will be used as a vehicle to mandate masks in states and schools across the country, something I do not support.”

Reynolds added that she is proud that they recently put new laws in place limiting what government mandates can be enforced in schools and local government.