STEVE: GOVERNOR REYNOLDS SAYS SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHY THERE IS A VACCINE SHORTAGE IN IOWA. SHE ALSO SAID THE CURRENT VACCINATION PROCESS IS SLOWER AND HARDER THAN IT SHOULD BE. AS ANDREW REPORTS, THE GOVERNOR AND THE PUBLIC ARE GETTING FRUSTRATED. ANDREW: I WILL RANKS 47TH IN THE NATION FOR VACCINE PER PERSON. ONLY 60% OF THE VACCINES THAT DO ARRIVE ARE BEING ADMINISTERED. GOVERNOR REYNOLDS SAID IN A NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY THAT SHE UNDERSTANDS WHY I ONES ARE UPSET ABOUT THE PACE OF SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS TO GET A SHOT. SHE SAID THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THE SUPPLY OF VACCINES COMING INTO THE STATE. SHE SAID SHE’S BEEN CALLING THE WHITE HOUSE TO TRY TO GET MORE SUPPLIES. WE ARE GOING TO ASK FOR ANOTHER CLARIFICATION AND ASKED THEM TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT IT. 47 IS NOT WHERE WE SHOULD BE ON A PER CAPITA BASIS. WE WILL BE MAKING ANOTHER CALL TODAY TO SEE WHAT WE CAN FIND OUT ABOUT THE NUMBERS. ANDREW: 27
Reynolds removes restrictions on businesses, gatherings, masks
Gov. Kim Reynolds has eliminated most of her COVID-19 restrictions in the latest health proclamation. According to the Governor’s Office, the proclamation removes indoor mask requirements in public spaces, gathering limits and restrictions on businesses starting 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7. “The proclamation strongly encourages Iowans, businesses and organizations to take reasonable public health measures consistent with guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health,” said Pat Garrett, a spokesperson for the Governor’s Office. The proclamation states, “I strongly encourage that all businesses or other employers remain open with in-person operations take reasonable measures under the circumstances of each establishment to ensure the health of employees, patrons and members of the public, including social distancing practices, increased hygiene practices and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.” This comes the same week Iowa was ranked No. 47 in the country for its vaccine distribution, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is worse than all other states except Idaho and Missouri. Reynolds addressed this in a press conference earlier this week. “We’re averaging about 60% in getting the vaccines administered and that’s not where we need to be,” Reynolds said. “We want to do better. We know we can do better.”As of 4:30 p.m. Friday, the Iowa Department of Public Health reports a total of 143,869 first doses have been administered and 80,601 second doses have been administered. For more information about the vaccinations in Iowa, click here.
Gov. Kim Reynolds has eliminated most of her COVID-19 restrictions in the latest health proclamation.
According to the Governor’s Office, the proclamation removes indoor mask requirements in public spaces, gathering limits and restrictions on businesses starting 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7.
“The proclamation strongly encourages Iowans, businesses and organizations to take reasonable public health measures consistent with guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health,” said Pat Garrett, a spokesperson for the Governor’s Office.
The proclamation states, “I strongly encourage that all businesses or other employers remain open with in-person operations take reasonable measures under the circumstances of each establishment to ensure the health of employees, patrons and members of the public, including social distancing practices, increased hygiene practices and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.”
This comes the same week Iowa was ranked No. 47 in the country for its vaccine distribution, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is worse than all other states except Idaho and Missouri. Reynolds addressed this in a press conference earlier this week.
“We’re averaging about 60% in getting the vaccines administered and that’s not where we need to be,” Reynolds said. “We want to do better. We know we can do better.”
As of 4:30 p.m. Friday, the Iowa Department of Public Health reports a total of 143,869 first doses have been administered and 80,601 second doses have been administered.
For more information about the vaccinations in Iowa, click here.