The White House Coronavirus Task Force is recommending Iowa establish a statewide mask mandate as Iowa remains third in the nation for new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents.
The latest report for Iowa, dated Sept. 13, notes that COVID-19 is being brought into nursing homes through high community transmission. It cites Arkansas as a “great example in the Heartland where statewide transmission has decreased through mask usage.”
Last week’s White House report said masks should be required in Iowa metro areas and counties where schools have coronavirus cases.
Gov. Kim Reynolds has repeatedly dismissed calls for a statewide mask mandate. She hasn’t allowed local governments to enforce their own, but some have issued mask requirements.
Iowa is still in the “red zone” for new cases, but has dropped to the “yellow zone” for its test positivity rate.
