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The state of Iowa as of this morning reports another 766 cases of the coronavirus. State health officials also report six additional deaths. The state has had more than 39,000 cases of the COVID-19 and and nearly 800 deaths. Polk County had 353 of those new cases.
Woodbury County added nine new cases of the coronavirus since yesterday, and now it has a total of 3,472 cases and 46 deaths. There were no new deaths yesterday.
Some Sioux City school board members say they want the wearing of masks in buildings and on buses to be strictly enforced when school begins August 25th. School districts across Iowa were forced to close schools on March 13 because of the coronavirus.
The school board is allowing parents to sign up for virtual learning, and more than 20 percent already have done that. However, Governor Kim Reynolds announced Friday she would override local school districts and require students spend at least half of their education time in classrooms.
And the governor’s stance on local authorities requiring masks caused Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott last night to reiterate his position that a mask-wearing ordinance is a “non-starter.” Governor Reynolds has already said that local governments cannot institute rules about public health during a public health proclamation. Only the state can issue such rules. Mayor Scott made the comments to the Sioux City Journal after a presentation at the end of the meeting by resident Jeanette Hopkins. Hopkins spoke out about the need for face-masks to slow the spread of COVID-19.
