Hawkeye Reporter

Linn County mask recommendations remain a debate as COVID-19 infections continue to surge.  

“As of August 30, 2021: -55.2% of ALL residents in Linn County are fully vaccinated  -65.1% of residents, 12 years of age and older, are fully vaccinated,” Lynn County Public Health wrote in an Aug. 30 tweet.

The Linn County Board of Health urges prompt mask-wearing in academic institutions after noting high levels of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, Iowa Public Radio reported.

“As educators and community organizations working to create a better life for those who live here, we, the undersigned, demand that the school board mandate masks at all school facilities and events,” a letter from the health board to county school districts said, KCRG reported. “This mandate should be kept in place until such time as elementary-aged children are eligible for vaccination and community spread has returned to the ‘low’ category.”

Though the Iowa Legislature passed HF-847, prohibiting mask mandates, the health board has offered potential law loopholes to convenience school districts to implement mask mandates. As of Sept. 1, only 55% of the population in Linn County are fully vaccinated, KCRG reported.

“We just want our kids to be safe. There are a lot of parents that are in situations right now where they are considering giving up jobs and giving up assistance because they have no way to keep their children safe,” Director of the non-profit Corridor Community Action Network Mandi Nichols said, according to KCRG.

The board recently sent 11 school districts a notice to inform that the delta variant "threatens to overwhelm our healthcare system and it may impact our schools as well," Iowa Public Radio reported. 

The organizations that signed onto the letter include Corridor Community Action Network, Iowa Citizen Action Network, Beloved Community Initiative, Iowa City Mutual Aid, Golfview Residents Association and Claiming Disability Inc. among many others, KCRG reported.

"We know that you are also concerned about providing our children with a safe and healthy learning environment this fall," the letter said, according to Iowa Public Radio. "For this reason, the Linn County Board of Health (BOH) strongly urges you to consider face-coverings for all children, teachers, and staff while in school buildings whether or not they are vaccinated."