Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said she doesn’t believe Iowans need to be told to do the right thing at a Friday press conference.
Reynolds was again asked about a potential shelter-in-place order by the media, but Reynolds said it is unnecessary at this time.
“I believe Iowans don’t need an order to do the right thing,” she said. “I believe they know what they need to do.”
Reynolds said Iowans just need to practice proper hygiene, only go out when they need to, check on loved ones who are vulnerable to make sure they have supplies they need, then they’ll get through this.
“This is why it’s so important for me to make my decisions based on data,” Reynolds said.
A shelter-in-place order would just make things worse, spreading fear and impacting the supply chain.
“There’s no reason for me to do that,” she said. “I’m not reacting. Gov. Cuomo saying yesterday, ‘maybe I shouldn’t have done a shelter-in-place,’ so here we go. It is bouncing back and forth and when you react, you don’t base your decisions on data, then you are bouncing back and forth. That drives fear.”
Reynolds noted it is important to also consider the mental health of Iowans.
And, while some criticize Reynolds for not ordering Iowans to shelter in place, others criticize her for things she has already ordered.
“It’s not an easy decision for me to make,” she said. “It is the last thing I want to do. I don’t take (these decisions) lightly, (these) have been some of the hardest decisions that I have had to make as the Governor of this great state, but it’s also a necessity. I have to do what I can to protect the well-being of Iowans, and especially our most vulnerable Iowans. That’s, again, the reason that I’m trying to be very consistent in what I’m doing and basing those decisions on data.”
Reynolds then acknowledged the criticisms of what she has done so far.
“I know that’s out there, and I know,” she said before a long sigh. “Iowans are scared and they’re nervous and I appreciate that, but we’re going to get through it and if you keep doing what we’ve asked you to do, we will be back to those good days, so hang in there.”
Gov. Reynolds is asked about those who have been critical of her shutting down businesses and questioned her authority to do so:
Posted by The Iowa Standard on Friday, March 27, 2020
One other note from the press conference, a negative test does not mean someone doesn’t have COVID-19. That was also said at the press conference. Iowa Department of Public Health said a negative test today does not mean someone cannot circulate within the community and have a negative test four days from now. Iowans feeling ill who receive a negative test are asked to stay home until symptoms resolve.
