IOWA, USA — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds gave a press conference Tuesday, Nov. 17 after announcing several new mitigation efforts intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus as the state sees some of the highest rates of infection, hospitalizations and deaths per capita in the country.
As of midnight Tuesday, Iowans are now required to wear masks whenever they're unable to social distance indoors in public.
Reynolds defended the mask mandate which has a couple exceptions: Masks must be worn indoors when social distancing is impossible for 15 minutes or longer.
The governor claimed there was "science on both sides" on the effectivity of masks in preventing the spread of the coronavirus despite Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that explains how masks protect both wearers and people around them.
When asked if she was delivering mixed messaging by saying masks could be effective but there might be data saying they aren't, Reynolds again claimed it was up to Iowans to be "personally responsible."
COVID-19 has now killed over 2,000 citizens with record-high hospitalizations at 1,510 and the governor continues to defer the burden of the pandemic onto Iowans.
"No it doesn't [lead to mixed messaging]," Reynolds said. "People need to step up and take personal responsibility. I'm asking Iowans again to step up and do the right thing."
When asked about this further and if masks should simply be used everywhere in public Reynolds said, "I think if you talk to different people there are different studies on both. I do think there is data out there on both. They're effective, I'm not saying they're not. I'm encouraging people to use them especially if you can't social distance."
Plasma donation
The governor also encouraged those who have recovered from COVID-19 to consider donating convalescent plasma. Antibodies from the plasma of those that have recovered from the coronavirus is used to help those currently sick to help boost their ability to fight the virus.
