Hawkeye Reporter

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she's concerned healthcare recommendations and guidance intended to stem the spread of COVID-19 will lead to mask mandates.

Reynolds said in social media post that she's particularly worried about new guidelines issued by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"I'm concerned that this new guidance will be used as a vehicle to mandate masks in states and schools across the country, something I do not support," Reynolds said in her Tuesday, July 27, Twitter post.

The ongoing pandemic descended on the U.S. more than 500 days ago and no government-mandated mask orders have been issued in the nation, only guidelines and strong encouragement.

In a separate statement issued by her office the same day, the Republican governor elaborated on her concerns. She said it's not about the mask guidelines per se but about President Joe Biden telling Iowans what to do.

"The Biden administration's new COVID-19 guidance telling fully vaccinated Iowans to now wear masks is not only counterproductive to our vaccination efforts, but also not grounded in reality or common sense," Reynolds said in her statement.

More 53% of Iowans have had at least one dose of vaccine, as of Aug. 1, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

"The vaccine remains our strongest tool to combat COVID-19, which is why we are going to continue to encourage everyone to get the vaccine," Reynolds said.

What Reynolds said she doesn't want are government mandates about anything.

"I am proud that we recently put new laws in place that will protect Iowans against unnecessary government mandates in our schools and local governments," she said in her statement. "As I have throughout this pandemic, I trust Iowans to do the right thing."

Reynolds blamed unvaccinated migrants from south of the U.S. border for the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, according to NBC News.

The CDC currently recommends that fully vaccinated people – especially those who are immunocompromised or live with someone who is – wear masks in public indoor settings in areas of the country with substantial or high transmission rates. The CDC also recommends "universal indoor masking" for all teachers, staff, students and school visitors, regardless of their vaccination status.

The fully vaccinated who find out they've been exposed to COVID-19 should be tested three to five days after exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result, according to the CDC.