Debate in Iowa over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

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Debate over responses to coronavirus pandemic

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Topics
Elections • Protests • Religious service restrictions • School closures • State lockdowns • Testing

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Arguments by topic
Testing • Mask requirements • School closures • Travel restrictions • Lockdown/stay-at-home orders • Expansion of absentee/mail-in voting • Religious service restrictions

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Debate by state
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming

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Related coronavirus coverage
Changes to elections • Federal responses • State responses

Ballotpedia is providing comprehensive coverage of how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting America's political and civic life. In addition to monitoring federal, state, and local responses to the coronavirus, we are also capturing the nationwide and local debates on whether to extend or lift coronavirus-related restrictions affecting the economy, schools, government operations, public health, religious services, and travel.

These arguments come from a variety of sources, including public officials, journalists, think tanks, economists, scientists, and other stakeholders. We encourage you to share the debates happening in your local community to editor@ballotpedia.org.

This article covers the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Iowa in response to the coronavirus pandemic. You will find the following:

* Debate over the stay-at-home order
* Debate over the reopening
* Debate over the testing
* Debate over school closures
* Debate over religious service restrictions
* Debate over election policy
* Debate over abortion and coronavirus policy
* Links to coverage of responses to the coronavirus in Iowa

## Contents

* 1 Debate over stay-at-home orders in Iowa
* 2 Debate over reopening in Iowa
* 3 Debate over testing in Iowa
* 4 Debate over school closures in Iowa
* 5 Debate over religious service restrictions in Iowa
* 6 Debate over election policy in Iowa
* 7 Debate over abortion and coronavirus policy in Iowa
* 8 Responses to the coronavirus in Iowa
* 9 General resources
* 10 See also
* 11 Footnotes

## Debate over stay-at-home orders in Iowa[edit]

See also: Debate over stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on the stay-at-home order in Iowa.

* David Roederer, chair of the Revenue Estimating Conference and Gov. Reynolds budget director (The Gazette): David Roederer, chair of the Revenue Estimating Conference and Gov. Reynolds budget director, discussed the uncertainties surrounding budget planning for the state and the economic effects of the pandemic. He said that "there was no economic issue that caused this" and compared it to a self-imposed coma "for all the right reasons."

"If you bring it [the economy] back too quick, it could do more damage; if you wait too long, then that can also do more damage. The issue comes back to how quickly can our economy recover and will it be in the same form or will it be changed? Also, there is a significant amount of stimulus that is out there as well so you’ve got to figure out how much of that is reoccurring growth and how much is just one time. One of the challenges that we have is that you don’t artificially increase budgets as you go along because you know the next year, the money’s not going to be there. It’s a time where it’s just really difficult to see what’s down the road." - "Iowa's budget chief is trying to predict fiscal future, and it's harder than ever," May 22, 2020.

* Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) (KWQC): Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) announced on May 20 that&nbsp;movie theaters, zoos, aquariums, museums, and wedding reception could open starting May 22 with guidelines schools could open for certain activities on&nbsp;June 1.

"Iowa's recovery is underway." - "'Iowa's recovery is underway;' Gov. Reynolds announces more businesses to reopen Friday," May 20, 2020.

* U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R) (The Hill): Governor Kim Reynolds (R) announced that religious services could resume and businesses in certain counties could re-open at limited capacity, beginning May 1, 2020. U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R) said that he supported the governor’s move to re-open the state.

"Iowans have been patient and played a critical role in slowing the spread of the Coronavirus during this unprecedented public health emergency. … We need to get folks back to their jobs, schools, churches, and social lives in a responsible way as soon as possible. I want to thank Governor Reynolds for her cautious approach to reopen our state and return to normal." - "Iowa to allow some restaurants, gyms, stores to reopen Friday," April 27, 2020.

* Iowa State Daily Editorial Board (Iowa State Daily): Data shows that states with stricter stay-at-home orders have had fewer Covid-19 cases than Iowa, and second wave of cases could be coming.

"A large blanket shutdown sends a clear message about the severity of the pandemic. If instructions are unclear, people tend to make up their own rules and social pressure from others to comply plays a role as well." - "Stay-at-home orders justified," June 10, 2020.

* Former Governor Chet Culver (D) (Bleeding Heartland): Former Gov. Chet Culver (D) urged Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) to reconsider her decision to re-open some Iowa businesses.

"Any such ill-conceived scheme that deprives [workers] of choice and forces those hard-working, yet vulnerable, employees to report to unsafe workplace environments, while the positive incidences of COVID-19 infection are on the rise, is not merely penny-wise and pound foolish, it is just plain wrong." - "Chet Culver challenges Kim Reynolds’ COVID-19 workplace rules.," May 1, 2020.

* Iowa Medical Society (Des Moines Register): Governor Kim Reynolds (R) announced that religious services could resume and businesses in certain counties could re-open at limited capacity, beginning May 1, 2020. The Iowa Medical Society argued that even a limited re-opening would result in a new spike of cases.

"A sudden influx in social interactions is all but certain to cause a spike in new COVID-19 patients and potentially overwhelm our healthcare system. No area of our state is immune from these concerns. Until an effective treatment protocol is identified or a vaccine is discovered, we must accept that we will not be able to return to the normal routines we enjoyed just a few months ago." - "Iowa begins easing coronavirus business restrictions starting Friday in 77 counties with low cases," April 27, 2020.

* State Rep. Todd Prichard (D-52) (Iowa Starting Line): House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard argued that, based on publicly available data, Iowa did not meet CDC criteria for safe re-opening.

"Using the data we do have today, Iowa doesn’t even come close to meeting the criteria outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to begin re-opening either. Hospitalizations are still going up, not down. Documented positive cases and the percent of positive cases are both still rising. Our new testing initiative isn’t up and running at full speed yet. … The only answer is for the Governor to be more transparent. She needs to release more data to prove it’s safe to loosen the public health measures that prevent the spread of the coronavirus." - "Prichard: Transparency Required Before Reynolds Loosens Restrictions," April 25, 2020.

* State Representative Sandy Salmon (R-63) (Des Moines Register): State Representative Sandy Salmon (R-63) said that Governor Kim Reynolds should begin re-opening Iowa businesses.

"I, as much as anybody, don’t like to see people die from coronavirus and it’s heart-wrenching to see that, but at the same time, other people’s lives are being ruined. ... I think that we can open up the economy and take care of people too. It doesn’t have to be an either/or proposition" - "Conservative activists, some GOP lawmakers urge governor to lift COVID-19 restrictions," April 21, 2020.

* Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) (Quad City Times): Governor Kim Reynolds said that her decision-making would be guided by data on the spread of the coronavirus in Iowa so as to avoid a second wave of cases.

"I want to open up this state as soon as we can, but I want to do it in a responsible manner. We don’t want to open it up just to have to shut things back down again. So we have to be very consistent, and again be relying on some data before we’re able to do that." - "Some coronavirus numbers encouraging, but Reynolds urges continued caution," April 13, 2020.

* Senate Minority Leader Janet Petersen (D-18) and House Minority Leader Todd Prichard (D-52) (Iowa News Now): Senate Minority Leader Janet Petersen (D-18) and House Minority Leader Todd Prichard (D-52) urged Governor Kim Reynolds to institute a statewide shelter-in-place order.

"The current patchwork of recommendations is confusing, raising more questions than answers about what Iowans should be doing to help save lives." - "Iowa Democratic legislative leaders call on Gov. Kim Reynolds to call 'shelter-in-place'," April 2, 2020.

* Governor Kim Reynolds (R) (KCRG): Governor Kim Reynolds said that the pandemic’s impact on public health in Iowa did not warrant issuing a statewide shelter-in-place order.

"I can't lock the state down. I can't lock everybody in their home. You know, we have to make sure the supply chain is up and going. We have an essential workforce that has to be available." - "Gov. Reynolds: "I can't lock the state down, I can't lock everybody in their home"," March 31, 2020.

### Additional reading

* "As Iowa reopens, workers are being forced to choose between a paycheck and their health" - Washington Post, May 7, 2020

* "UPDATE: Local officials react to Tyson reopening Waterloo plant Thursday" - The Courier, May 6, 2020

* "Trump’s order to open meat plants brings anxiety to one Iowa town where 90% of COVID-19 cases are tied to Tyson" - USA Today, April 29, 2020

## Debate over reopening in Iowa[edit]

See also: Debate over reopening during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on reopening in Iowa.

* David Roederer, chair of the Revenue Estimating Conference and Gov. Reynolds budget director (The Gazette): David Roederer, chair of the Revenue Estimating Conference and Gov. Reynolds budget director, discussed the uncertainties surrounding budget planning for the state and the economic effects of the pandemic. He said that "there was no economic issue that caused this" and compared it to a self-imposed coma "for all the right reasons."

"If you bring it [the economy] back too quick, it could do more damage; if you wait too long, then that can also do more damage. The issue comes back to how quickly can our economy recover and will it be in the same form or will it be changed? Also, there is a significant amount of stimulus that is out there as well so you’ve got to figure out how much of that is reoccurring growth and how much is just one time. One of the challenges that we have is that you don’t artificially increase budgets as you go along because you know the next year, the money’s not going to be there. It’s a time where it’s just really difficult to see what’s down the road." - "Iowa's budget chief is trying to predict fiscal future, and it's harder than ever," May 22, 2020.

* Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) (KWQC): Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) announced on May 20 that&nbsp;movie theaters, zoos, aquariums, museums, and wedding reception could open starting May 22 with guidelines schools could open for certain activities on&nbsp;June 1.

"Iowa's recovery is underway." - "'Iowa's recovery is underway;' Gov. Reynolds announces more businesses to reopen Friday," May 20, 2020.

* Des Moines Register Editorial Board (Des Moines Register): "Kudos to businesses requiring all shoppers to wear masks. That helps eliminate the unfortunate politicization of covering one's mouth and nose during a communicable disease outbreak. And speaking of politics, a thistle to the many Republican Iowa lawmakers who refused to wear masks in the Capitol when the Legislature returned in early June. Masks help protect others. One would hope that would be enough motivation to strap one on." - "Kudos to Iowans who understand the novel coronavirus remains a deadly threat," June 19, 2020.

### Additional reading

* "Contrary to what you keep hearing, the COVID-19 policies of Republican officials have worked" - Des Moines Register, May 19, 2020

## Debate over testing in Iowa[edit]

See also: Debate over testing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on testing in Iowa.

* Quad City Times Editorial Board (Quad City Times): The spike in Covid-19 cases in the prison population shows again the lack of strategy for testing.

"In some states, there are spikes in cases, and there is concern about the potential for a second wave this fall. We took unprecedented steps to buy time to deal with this. But if people who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 aren’t even being tested for the virus, we have to wonder how prepared are we, really?" - "Testing gaps remain," June 17, 2020.

## Debate over school closures in Iowa[edit]

See also: Debate over school closures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on school closures in Iowa.

We have not yet identified any statements related to this topic or state. To suggest a statement, email us.

## Debate over religious service restrictions in Iowa[edit]

See also: Debate over religious service restrictions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on religious service restrictions in Iowa.

We have not yet identified any statements related to this topic or state. To suggest a statement, email us.

## Debate over election policy in Iowa[edit]

See also: Debate over election policies and procedures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on election policies in Iowa.

* Former State Senator Rick Bertrand (R) (Sioux City Journal): Former State Senator Rick Bertrand (R) sued Woodbury County Auditor Pat Gill after the county decided to close all but two polling places for the June primary. Bertrand’s suit argued that closing all but two polling places would lead to crowds, endangering public health, and would favor Democratic candidates.

"By limiting vote centers, Gill, a registered Democrat, would be putting Republicans and nonparty Independents at a significant disadvantage." - "Sioux City man sues for more polling places in June election, saying GOP at 'severe disadvantage'," April 17, 2020.

* Grant Veeder, elections auditor in Black Hawk County, Iowa (The Courier): Grant Veeder, elections auditor in Black Hawk County, Iowa, explained his support for an all-mail general election in November.

"I understand that switching to an all vote-by-mail system in time for the November election would be very difficult and would not be advisable under normal circumstances. … However, given the lack of certainty about the length and severity of the pandemic, and given the extreme importance of elections in our form of government, the state should make contingency plans for an all-mail election in November." - "Iowa election officials pushing vote by mail for June primary," April 8, 2020.

* Secretary of State Paul Pate (Iowa Secretary of State's Office): Secretary of State Paul Pate announced that his office would mail absentee ballot request forms to registered voters. He encouraged voters to vote absentee in Iowa’s June primary election.

"The safety of voters while casting their ballots is our top priority. … The June 2 primary election will go on as scheduled because it’s important for Iowans to make their voices heard by voting. The safest way to vote will be by mail." - "Secretary Pate to mail absentee ballot request form to every registered voter," March 31, 2020.

* Des Moines Register Editorial Board (Des Moines Register): "The novel coronavirus will still be circulating during the November general election. To reduce transmission of the virus, Iowa needs to expand early and absentee voting. We will need more no-contact ballot drop-off sites. Because of increased early voting and difficulty in recruiting poll workers, counties should reduce the number of polling places, which the legislation also limits. . .Yet Republican lawmakers are not having any of it. Perhaps they fear being voted out of office if more people cast ballots." - "Message from GOP lawmakers to Iowans: We don't want you voting," June 8, 2020.

### Additional reading

* "Iowa doesn't need to endanger voters and workers" - The Gazette, May 4, 2020

## Debate over abortion and coronavirus policy in Iowa[edit]

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on abortion and coronavirus policy in Iowa.

* Erin Davison-Rippey, executive director for Planned Parenthood North Central States (Des Moines Register): Erin Davison-Rippey, executive director for Planned Parenthood North Central States, argued that the state’s ban on non-essential surgery violated Iowan women’s constitutionally-protected right to access surgical abortion.

"We are in a critical moment for our state when we must come together to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, not politicize health care services that are constitutionally protected. … Iowans are doing all they can to protect their families and communities during this pandemic, and Planned Parenthood is focused on providing our patients with crucial services they need." - "ACLU of Iowa, Planned Parenthood sues Gov. Kim Reynolds for suspending surgical abortions," March 20, 2020.

* Pat Garrett, a spokesman for Governor Kim Reynolds (R) (Des Moines Register): Pat Garrett, a spokesman for Governor Kim Reynolds (R), defended the ban on non-essential surgery, arguing that it was necessary to preserve health care resources.

"Gov. Reynolds is focused on protecting Iowans from an unprecedented public health disaster, and she suspended all elective surgeries and procedures to preserve Iowa’s health care resources. … As the governor has said over and over, Iowans are in this together. We will be working in consultation with the Attorney General’s Office to defend the actions she’s taken." - "ACLU of Iowa, Planned Parenthood sues Gov. Kim Reynolds for suspending surgical abortions," March 20, 2020.

## Responses to the coronavirus in Iowa[edit]

See also: Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Iowa)

Click the links below for more on responses to the coronavirus pandemic in Iowa.

* Changes to election dates and procedures
* Statewide stay-at-home order
* Statewide travel restrictions
* Executive orders
* Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus
* Enacted legislation
* Legislative session changes
* School closures
* Court closures
* Prison inmate release responses
* Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies

## General resources[edit]

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
* National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
* Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
* U.S. Department of Education
* World Health Organization
* Trends in Number of COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in the US Reported to CDC, by State/Territory
* Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations, Our World in Data (Number of vaccines administered)
* Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker, New York Times (Progress of vaccine trials)

## See also[edit]

* Ballotpedia: Political responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
* State government responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
* Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021
* Changes to ballot measure campaigns, procedures, and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2022
* Ballotpedia's elections calendar

## Footnotes[edit]

v • e

Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021

Overviews|

Overview • Changes to election dates and procedures • Ballotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemic • Resources for citizens • Terms and definitions

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Articles by Type|

Federal policy responses • State government responses • Local government responses • Diagnosed or quarantined incumbents, candidates, and officials • State legislative session changes • State legislative responses • State executive orders •  Eviction and foreclosure policies • Travel restrictions • School responses (2021-2022) • School responses (2020-2021) • School responses (2019-2020) • State court closures • Stay-at-home order status • States that issued stay-at-home orders • States that did not issue stay-at-home orders • Changes to ballot measure campaigns and policies • Changes to vote-by-mail and absentee voting procedures • Initial key federal official responses • Arguments in support of and opposition to government responses • Lawsuits • Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans to reopen • Unemployment filings • Analysis articles • Paycheck Protection Program • Mask requirements • School budget changes • State budgets • Federal definitions of essential and nonessential businesses • Federal aid to states • Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program • State emergency power authority • Changes to state emergency power authority • Municipal emergency power authority • Halloween guidelines • Vaccine distribution plans • State plans to end federal unemployment • Changes to emergency power laws • Active COVID-19 emergency orders • State vaccine requirement (vaccine passport) policies • Recalls related to the pandemic • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on school responses to the coronavirus • State employee vaccine requirements • Healthcare worker vaccine requirements

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State responses to coronavirus|

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State paths to recovery|

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State school responses|

Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming

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Coronavirus debate topics|

Elections • Protests • Religious service restrictions • School closures  • State lockdown

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Coronavirus debate by state|

Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming