According to a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll, half of Iowans oppose a state law banning local mask mandates. Results of the poll are as follows; 50% of Iowans surveyed oppose the law banning mask mandates, while 47% are in favor of the law. Alternatively, 55% support a vaccination mandate for school children once the vaccine gets full federal approval, while 41% are against a vaccine mandate for students.

Earlier this month, a federal court ruled that the mask mandate ban in Iowa schools could not be enforced. Several districts in eastern Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Linn-Mar, and others, have since reintroduced mask regulations that were in place last year before the ban.

The results of the recent survey shed light on how divided the state is as families, educators, and legislators struggle to keep children safe in school through the pandemic. Opinions also differ according to a person's vaccination status. Those who have already been immunized reject the measure by 2-1, with 63% against and 32% in favor. Among those who do not intend to be vaccinated, 77% support the law, while 22% oppose it.

Iowa announced Wednesday that more than 3,000 children tested positive for COVID-19 during the most recent seven-day reporting period, accounting for over a quarter of the state's 12,163 new cases reported. According to medical experts, children are less likely to suffer serious illness from the coronavirus, but they can still catch and spread it. Cases of COVID-19 in adolescents have increased by roughly 240% in the US since July.

The Pfizer CEO, Albert Bourla, says their company will submit data to the FDA in just a few days that shows their shot is safe for kids aged 5-11.


 

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