Des Moines, IA — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds ordered an end to mask mandates, social distancing, and gathering restrictions in a proclamation issued Friday.
The change took effect on Sunday, Feb. 7.
Reynolds cautioned vulnerable Iowans against taking unnecessary risks.
I continue to strongly encourage all vulnerable Iowans, including those with preexisting medical conditions and those older than 65, in all counties of the state to continue to limit their activities outside of their home, including their visits to businesses and other establishments and their participation in gatherings of any size and any purpose. And I encourage all Iowans to limit their in-person interactions with vulnerable Iowans and to exercise particular care and caution when engaging in any necessary interactions.
Governor Kim Reynolds, Proclamation on Feb. 5.
The order encouraged Iowans to take personal responsibility for their actions and extended the state of disaster emergency until March 7.
Reynolds issued a mask mandate in November in response to an increase in COVID-19 cases. The proclamation also ends all social distancing restrictions for restaurants, bars, gyms, and other businesses, though it encourages them to act responsibly.
The idea of personal responsibility was completely forsaken when the coronavirus pandemic began last year.
Instead of encouraging people to act compassionately and use their best judgment, governors across the country issued a myriad of executive orders in their respective states. The orders shut down down economies, eliminated jobs, and permanently closed the doors of thousands of businesses, with the restaurant industry severely impacted.
President Joe Biden recently stated that it would take ten years to recover lost jobs, though his own executive actions are costing tens of thousands of jobs in the energy sector.
The mayors of Des Moines and Iowa City, both Democrats, announced that their cities would continue to enforce mask mandates in public spaces.
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Finally! Some common sense.