The focus of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ COVID-19 press conference on Wednesday morning shifted away from coronavirus and vaccinations to other controversial topics at the end of her weekly briefing. Prior to opening the floor to questions from the press, Reynolds reported more than 1.1 million Iowans, or about 35 percent of the state’s population, are now fully vaccinated. However, vaccine supply is outpacing demand. Reynolds says state officials are working to identify common factors behind Iowans’ hesitancy to roll up their sleeves for the shot.
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Last week, Reynolds announced she would be returning $95 million in federal funding that had been allocated through the American Rescue Plan for COVID-19 surveillance testing in the state’s K-12 schools. She says Iowa already possesses sufficient testing inventory and money from previous coronavirus relief packages.
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Attention then turned to Reynolds’ support of proposals that would bar transgender athletes from competing in organized sports sponsored by educational institutions. She calls the issue a matter of fairness to biological females.
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Another topic raised by reporters was the constitutionality of Reynolds donating her time to Des Moines Christian Schools for a private dinner at the governor’s residence, Terrace Hill. The dinner went for over $30,000 in April with money raised going to the parochial school. Opponents of the move say it is a clear violation of the separation of church and state. Reynolds dismisses those legal concerns, indicating no tax money was used for the dinner and many of her predecessors have helped Iowa organizations in a similar manner.
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Reynolds’ press conferences are livestreamed via Facebook, and a link to the entirety of Wednesday’s conference can be found included below.
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Click HERE to watch Gov. Reynolds’ May 5, 2021 Press Conference