Iowa has replaced Texas, Florida, and Arizona as the nation's COVID-19 hot spot, with the highest rate of infections and an almost 11% positive testing rate, according to the Des Moines Register.Earlier this week, White House coronavirus task force leaders urged Iowa's governor Kim Reynolds to issue a statewide mask mandate, close bars in 61 counties, and test all returning college and university students in the state.
Reynolds has yet to issue a statewide mask mandate and so far has closed bars in only 6 counties.Some cities with high transmission, including Ames—the home of Iowa State University— are starting to pass their own mask mandates.Reynolds, a Republican, has said she does not believe mask mandates are enforceable.