Letter to the Editor: So close, yet...

To the Editor:

We seemed to be so close in May and June to getting our lives back. To do so, we need to get as many people vaccinated as qualify for the vaccine. Public health experts estimate that the average person who gets infected with Delta spreads it to three or four other people as compared with one or two other people with the original virus.

In the U.S., in the last 14 days, new coronavirus cases are up 144%. Just yesterday the CDC revised its guidelines: Vaccinated people should again wear masks in public indoor spaces where the virus is surging. “CDC recommends that everyone in K thru 12 schools wear a mask indoors including teachers, staff, students and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with proper prevention strategies in place. Finally, CDC recommends community leaders encourage vaccination and universal masking to prevent further outbreaks in areas of substantial and high transmission with Delta variants. Vaccinating Americans now is more urgent than ever.”

Governor Reynolds is already criticizing CDC advice, saying the new CDC recommendation is counterproductive to vaccination efforts, and that mask guidance “is not grounded in reality or common sense.” All of these allegations are false. These recommendations are grounded on science, and come from the CDC, where our nation’s finest physician epidemiologists work.

Iowa’s Governor and Legislature needs to reverse its rule prohibiting schools, cities and counties from issuing mask ordinances. We all want our kids back in school, and owe them the safest environment; possible only with universal masking.

Kevin Sand, MD
David Bakken, MD
Max Quaas, MD
Decorah