Thiessen’s Reynolds column doesn’t tell the whole story

I just read Marc Thiessen's column ('Iowa's governor beat the unions, reopened schools,” March 1, 2021). What Thiessen did not mention was the spread of coronavirus through Iowa's children as a result of Gov. Kim Reynolds' decisions.

Most Iowa schools have been in-person all school year, without required public health measures, contributing to the rapid spread of coronavirus among children in our state. From Sept. 1 to Jan. 29, over 30,000 Iowa children under age 18 contracted coronavirus, according to Iowa Department of Public Health data available at coronavirus.iowa.gov.

We know that at least 21 school staff have died from coronavirus.

Since Gov. Reynolds signed the bill (SF160) highlighted in Thiessen's column, on January 29, another 3,400 children under age 18 in Iowa have tested positive for this disease. (Data as of March 1.)

We all want children to be able to get back to school, but sadly, not all of us want it done safely. Gov. Reynolds has failed to prioritize controlling the spread of coronavirus, in our communities and in our schools. As a result, too many Iowans have become sick and died of this infectious disease.

State Sen. Rob Hogg

Cedar Rapids