Masks must be mandated at the state Capitol

I am very dismayed to learn the Iowa Capitol will not require the use of masks when they open for business on January 11. The Republican speaker of the House refuses to make the Capitol a safe environment.

I usually lobby my state representatives and senators a couple of times each session to hold them accountable to causes I care about. But this year I do not feel safe in a closed space with no masks and no required social distancing. I think it is shameful to not require the public, staff and elected officials to protect themselves and others from a deadly virus. I am a COVID-19 contact tracer and will be very upset if I have to track down victims from the super spreader site at the state Capitol. Mask mandates save lives.

Angela Weiland

Cedar Rapids