DES MOINES, Iowa – Gov. Kim Reynolds and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, responded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance that vaccinated persons wear masks to prevent transmission of the Delta variant of COVID-19.
“To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission,” the guidance said in part.
“Wearing a mask is most important if you have a weakened immune system or if, because of your age or an underlying medical condition, you are at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated. If this applies to you or your household, you might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission in your area,” it added.
The CDC recently said vaccinated Americans don’t have to wear masks.
“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. 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 said in a released statement.
“The vaccine remains our strongest tool to combat COVID-19, which is why we are going to continue to encourage everyone to get the vaccine,” she added. “I am proud that we recently put new laws in place that will protect Iowans against unnecessary government mandates in our schools and local governments. As I have throughout this pandemic, I trust Iowans to do the right thing.”
Hinson also expressed concern.
“I am concerned that the CDC’s guidance will erode public trust in the three safe and effective American vaccines that protect against COVID-19. Americans don’t need any more government-imposed lockdowns when these vaccines are widely available—and I will oppose any further attempt to shut down our businesses, impose mask mandates or vaccine passports, and keep our kids out of the classroom. We need to follow the science and encourage people to get vaccinated so that we can all safely return to our normal lives and put this pandemic in the past. I will continue working to combat vaccine hesitancy and urging all Iowans to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19,” she said.
