‘Not on My Watch’: Governor Says ‘No’ to New COVID Mandates

Amid rumors and speculation that COVID-19 restrictions may be re-imposed around the United States, one governor said that there will be no new COVID-19 restrictions in her state.

In a statement, Iowa Gov. Rim Reynolds spoke out about the potential return of lockdowns, mask mandates, and other restrictions. Several hospitals around the United States in August announced the return of mask mandates, although some only apply to staff members, while several offices and colleges have done the same in recent days.

“Since news broke of COVID-19 restrictions being re-instated at some colleges and businesses across the U.S., concerned Iowans have been calling my office asking whether the same could happen here,” Mrs. Reynolds, a Republican, said Wednesday. “My answer—not on my watch. In Iowa, government respects the people it serves and fights to protect their rights. I rejected the mandates and lockdowns of 2020, and my position has not changed.”

Mask orders and other COVID-19-related restrictions can still be issued by local governments, school districts, or businesses despite the governor’s statement.

“As far as I know, there has been no governmental restrictions or lockdowns of any kind,” said Iowa Public Health Association Executive Director Lina Tucker Reinders, according to local media. “There’s been no discussion of that. We have seen some organizations, such as hospitals and schools, in a few locations around the country who have made local decisions based on their local situation. But I’d like to stress that those are local decisions by local organizations based on their local situation.”

According to data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 hospital admissions have risen for a sixth consecutive week for the week of Aug. 19. However, officials and doctors have said that the increase is relatively small compared to previous rises in cases since 2020.

“An upswing is not a surge; it’s not even a wave,” Dr. Shira Doron, the chief infection control officer for Tufts Medicine, told ABC News in August. “What we’re seeing is a very gradual and small upward trajectory of cases and hospitalizations, without deaths really going along, which is great news.”

On Wednesday, the CDC responded to an Epoch Times’ question about whether the agency would reinstate masks, saying that COVID-19 hospital admission levels “are currently low for more than 96 percent” of the United States, but that the agency recommended that transportation workers, travelers, passengers, and others get the COVID-19 vaccine “before they travel.”

“Anyone may choose to wear a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor areas, including on public transportation and in transportation hubs at any time,” the CDC spokesperson said.

The CDC’s guidance currently doesn’t recommend or require masks. Meanwhile, a CDC spokesperson told NBC News that there have been no discussions about bringing back mandates.

Mandates

Over the past two weeks, a handful of hospitals across the United States have started to reinstate mandates, although some have required masks only for staff, nurses, and doctors, while patients and visitors are exempt from the rule. However, a few have made masking mandatory for anyone who goes into the facility.

In Massachusetts, UMass Memorial Hospital confirmed in a statement on Aug. 24 that it would reimpose masking for staff. Patients and visitors are exempt from the mandate, it stated.

“We have continued to see a dramatic increase in the number of COVID-19 positive employees over the past two weeks, which has led to exposures of both fellow caregivers and patients,” the statement read. “In response to this, as a protective measure for our staff and patients, effective immediately we are requiring mandatory caregiver masking for all patient encounters in all licensed clinical areas.”

In New York, several upstate hospitals have required masking for anyone who goes into the facilities. They include United Health Services in Binghamton, Auburn Community Hospital in Auburn, and University Hospital in Syracuse.

In California, a Kaiser Permanente facility in Santa Rosa said it would reimpose its mask mandate, but it then issued a statement several days later saying it only applied to staff.

“Ou