Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson isn’t the only 2022 incumbent who’s casting doubt on proven methods to end the pandemic: During a Tuesday event, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley told voters he questions “whether science has proven that masks help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”
Over the past two weeks, COVID hospitalization rates in Iowa have jumped 54%, back up to “the same level now as they were in late January.” Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has banned local mask mandates and — like Grassley — “publicly questioned the effectiveness of face coverings,” despite clear evidence to the contrary.
Iowa Starting Line: Chuck Grassley Discusses Mask Science at Town Hall With Nurse
By: Ty Rushing | August 26, 2021
Key Points:
- “Chuck Grassley seemed to question whether science has proven that masks help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 after being asked about it during a Keokuk County town hall on Tuesday.”
- “Family Nurse Practitioner Barbara Coffman posed the question to Iowa’s senior US senator after sharing her concerns that the health care system could be overwhelmed soon with increased spread of COVID-19 now that schools are back in session.”
- “Grassley, a Republican, told Coffman he wears a mask when required, but questioned the science surrounding them.”
- “‘I think everybody says, ‘follow the science,’ but it doesn’t seem like science has proved one way or the other, but I wear a mask where I have to wear a mask,’ he said. ‘For instance, for almost a full year in the United States Senate we had to wear a mask and I did.’ […] The exchange was filmed by American Bridge 21st Century, a Democratic political action committee that monitors Republican officials.”
Read the full report here.
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Published: Aug 27, 2021