Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a bold statement in response to President Joe Biden’s criticisms of governors who are not allowing school mask mandates. She did a good job of sticking up for herself, Iowans and freedom in general.
“I’ll continue to do whatever is necessary to defend and preserve the fundamental rights and liberties afforded to any American citizen,” she said.
For the most part, Gov. Reynolds has done that. For the most part.
But the reality is right now thousands of healthcare workers throughout Iowa are waking up every morning having to weigh whether they will receive an experimental vaccine to keep their job or throw away their career for their freedom.
Years of experience. Years of education. Years of treating sick individuals — sometimes decades of experience — all thrown away because they do not believe having a vaccine injected into their body is in their best interest.
That’s the reality.
Iowans are losing their jobs. If these Iowans truly want to exercise the fundamental rights and liberties afforded to them, it will come at a cost. And not just a cost to them, but a cost to all Iowans.
There will be a significant spike in unemployment and there will be drastically fewer healthcare workers to provide services.
It will create a healthcare crisis.
And it makes one wonder if we’re really in a “pandemic.”
After all, if hospitals and healthcare facilities can afford to fire their staff, who do they envision treating all those afflicted with the coronavirus?
Governor Reynolds can put ease to every worry every employee in this state has when it comes to employer vaccine mandates.
Executive orders are not ideal, but temporarily they can accomplish something that right now doesn’t seem likely to get done any other way.
She could put down the pork chop on a stick at the state fair and pick up her pen any day and ensure she truly is doing whatever is necessary to defend and preserve the fundamental rights and liberties afforded to any American citizen.
Iowans are counting on her to do something. Every day that passes without action makes Iowans more vulnerable. As we inch closer to vaccine mandate deadlines, we lose a little more freedom each day.
The time to act is now. If we truly trust Iowans to do the right thing, we shouldn’t allow them to be bullied, bribed or backed into a corner where they feel they have no choice.
