Reynolds explains change of heart on mask mandate

QUICKLY THAT EVERYONE IS TAKING EXTRA PRECAUTIONS. GOVERNOR REYNOLDS’S NEW MASS MANDATE IS IN EFFECT, BUT LEADERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ITS LIMITATION. BACK IN LIFE ABOUT HOW HE WILL DOWN ON INCREASED MITIGATION EFFORTS. >> THE GOVERNOR REALLY HAMMERED HOME HER NEW GUIDELINES. AND TODAY SHE TOOK THE TIME TO EXPLAIN WHY SHE MADE HER DECISION. >> IOWA GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS WAS STEADFASTLY AGAINST ISSUING ANY KIND OF MANDATE TO WEAR MASKS UNTIL MONDAY EVENING, LEAVING SOME WONDERING WHAT CHANGED HER MIND? >> OVER THE LAST TEN DAYS WE HAVE SEEN EXPONENTIALLY THE NUMBER OF HOSPITALIZATIONS INCREASE >> THE NUMBERS WHEN IT COMES TO POSITIVE TESTS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE BEEN ON THE RISE FOR A WHILE. GOV. REYNOLDS SAYS THIS IS HAPPENING IN EVERY STATE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND DENIES CONCERNS THAT SHE WAITED TOO LONG BEFORE RAMPING UP SAFETY MITIGATIONS ACROSS THE STATE. >> I HAVE SAID FROM THE VERY BEGINNING THAT OUR GOALS WAS TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECTED THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF IOWANS ESPECIALLY THE MOST VULNERABLE AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAINTAIN OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND HEALTH CARE RESOURCES. >> GOVERNOR REYNOLDS SAYS IT IS TIME FOR ALL IOWANS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO WORK TOGETHER TO GET THROUGH THIS ADDING THI IS PUTTING PRESSURE ON OUR HOSPITALS. IF MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE MORE WILL BE DONE. >> WE ARE AT A CRITICAL COMPONENT AT THIS POINT IF WE DON’T CHANGE THE TREND, FLATTEN THE CURVE, AND HELP ADDRESS THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE BEING HOSPITALIZED, WE RUN THE RISK OF STRESSING EXTENDING OVERCAPACITY OF OUR HOSPITAL >> THE STEPPED-UP MITIGATION STRATEGIES RUN THROUGH DECEMBER 10. THIS IS A FLUID SITUATION AND THE GOVERNOR SAYS SHE WILL B CONSTANTLY REEVALUATING WHAT IS GOING ON. >> THE GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATION REQUIRES THAT MASKS BE WORN IN INDOOR PUBLIC SPACES WHEN SOCIAL DISTANCING CAN’T BE ACHIEVED. IT ALSO LIMITS INDOOR GATHERINGS TO 15 PEOPLE OR FEWER AND OUTDOOR GATHERINGS TO 30 O LESS. ALL BARS AND RESTAURANTS MUST NOW CLOSE AT 10PM. WHEN THEY’RE OPEN RESTAURANT AND BAR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO WEAR A MASK WHEN NOT SEATED AT A TABLE. STAFF MUST WEAR MASKS IF THEY HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH CUST

Gov. Kim Reynolds' new mask mandate is now in effect, but with several restrictions.In a Tuesday news conference on the state’s response to COVID-19, the governor really hammered home her new guidelines and took the time to explain why she made her decision.Reynolds was steadfastly against issuing any kind of mandate to wear masks until Monday evening, leaving some wondering what changed her mind.The numbers, when it comes to positive tests and hospitalizations, have been on the rise for a while. Reynolds says this is happening in every state across the country and denies concerns that she waited too long before ramping up safety mitigations across the state.“I have said from the very beginning that our goals was to make sure we protected the health and wellbeing of Iowans, especially the most vulnerable, and do everything we can to maintain our health care system and health care resources,” Reynolds said.Reynolds says it is time for all Iowans to do the right thing and take personal responsibility to work together to get through this, adding this is putting pressure on our hospitals and their capacity. “We are at a critical component. At this point, if we don't change the trend, flatten the curve and help address the number of individuals that are being hospitalized, we run the risk of stressing extending overcapacity of our hospitals,” Reynolds said.The stepped-up mitigation strategies run through Dec. 10. This is a fluid situation and the governor says she will be constantly reevaluating what is going on.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Gov. Kim Reynolds' new mask mandate is now in effect, but with several restrictions.

In a Tuesday news conference on the state’s response to COVID-19, the governor really hammered home her new guidelines and took the time to explain why she made her decision.

Reynolds was steadfastly against issuing any kind of mandate to wear masks until Monday evening, leaving some wondering what changed her mind.

The numbers, when it comes to positive tests and hospitalizations, have been on the rise for a while. Reynolds says this is happening in every state across the country and denies concerns that she waited too long before ramping up safety mitigations across the state.

“I have said from the very beginning that our goals was to make sure we protected the health and wellbeing of Iowans, especially the most vulnerable, and do everything we can to maintain our health care system and health care resources,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds says it is time for all Iowans to do the right thing and take personal responsibility to work together to get through this, adding this is putting pressure on our hospitals and their capacity.

“We are at a critical component. At this point, if we don't change the trend, flatten the curve and help address the number of individuals that are being hospitalized, we run the risk of stressing extending overcapacity of our hospitals,” Reynolds said.

The stepped-up mitigation strategies run through Dec. 10. This is a fluid situation and the governor says she will be constantly reevaluating what is going on.