Iowa Gov Reynolds lifting Iowa's mask requirements, gathering limits Sunday

[SharonClark]

I am so fucking mad at her insanity.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will lift the state's limited mask requirement on Sunday, along with the social distancing requirements and other COVID-19 mitigation measures she had in place for businesses and social gatherings.

Many states had already mask mandates for months before Reynolds ordered Iowans to wear masks in certain social settings in November. According to reports, 36 states still require people to wear masks, although North Dakota's requirement expired last month and Mississippi's mandate only covers counties with high virus infection rates.

Reynolds latest coronavirus emergency proclamation, issued Friday afternoon and effective 12:01 a.m. Sunday, instead "strongly encourages Iowans, businesses and organizations to take reasonable public health measures consistent with guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health," Reynolds' spokesperson, Pat Garrett, said in an email.

A news release from Reynolds' office did not explain why she is relaxing the restrictions.

The lifted requirements come as Iowa's daily reported case numbers and hospitalizations have shown declines since their spike in November, and less than a week after the state opened up vaccine eligibility to hundreds of thousands of Iowans.

Still, the state reported another 804 confirmed cases Friday morning, and on Thursday the state surpassed the 5,000 deaths mark. Meanwhile, the coronavirus vaccine supply remains limited and in high demand, with Reynolds on Thursday saying Iowa ranks 47th in the nation in per capita vaccine distribution from the federal government and 46th in the rate of administering vaccines to residents.

Also, on Monday, state officials confirmed a new, more transmissible version of the coronavirus was now in Iowa.

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2021/02/05/kim-reynolds-lifts-mask-mandate-requirement-other-restrictions-rules-sunday-iowa-restaurants/4412633001/

[dalton99a]

1. Meanwhile

[Initech]

5. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are proven to work against the new variants.

And Moderna is adjusting theirs to include extra doses. We'll see what happens.

[LisaL]

8. It's all well and good, but vast majority of people aren't able to be vaccinated as of yet.

NT

[Initech]

9. Oh yeah we got to get people vaccinated ASAP, agree there!

[hatrack]

2. Iowa - Now Depopulating Even Faster!!

[Golden Raisin]

3. Sadly, she's issuing an engraved, formal invitation to the Grim Reaper.

[Peacetrain]

4. As an Iowan... this woman is a complete idiot and embarrassment..

We are 47th in vaccination rate, and guess what... the British variant is now in Johnson County.. I am double masking as are a lot of other people because we cannot get the vaccine and the variant is here.. and this jackass wants to demask.. God give me strength

[Initech]

6. What could possibly go wrong?

[tanyev]

7. Just in time for the more contagious variants!

Jeeeeenyus.