Gov. Reynolds Talks “Getting Back To Normal” As Covid-19 Numbers Flatten Out

From Radio Iowa- Governor Kim Reynolds says there’s no reason to fear Covid-19 any longer. She says Covid case numbers in Iowa are at a 10 month low, the number of Iowa hospital patients being treated for Covid is down 90 percent from the high point in November, and about half the state’s adults are fully vaccinated.

(as said) “Life really is getting back to normal,” Reynolds says, “and all around us, there are more signs of it.”

Reynolds says it’s time to lean further into normal and that’s why she has declared that the  extra dollars in federal benefits for unemployment Iowans will end June 12th.

(as said) “Jobs are readily available and employers are eager to hire,” Reynolds says, “and it’s time to get back to work.”

House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard says the governor’s move is heartless and shows Reynolds is willing to use vulnerable Iowans as a stepping stone for her own political gain. Reynolds says regular unemployment will continue. And, to other critics who say more Iowans would join the workforce if businesses offered better pay, Reynolds says the market is taking care of that.

(as said) “I love it when I have businesses tell me they’re having some of their best years ever and they’ve got orders that are waiting to be filled,” Reynolds says. “They just can’t find employees to help build the equipment, so I think these are great jobs, they have benefits, there’s opportunities for growth…and you’re seeing wages adjust accordingly.”

Reynolds made her comments Wednesday  morning during a news conference to highlight the state’s response to increased demand at food pantries and food banks. Officials say more than 400-thousand Iowans are food insecure and the need for food assistance is 50 percent higher than than it was two years ago.