(Updated 12:25-p.m., Radio Iowa/KJAN) – Governor Kim Reynolds says Iowa school districts given permission to conduct ALL classes online due to high COVID case counts may do so for 14 days. Districts will have to AGAIN get state officials’ permission for subsequent weeks. Reynolds held a news conference today (Thursday), emphasizing the importance of statewide standards for schools — and getting kids back in the classroom. “After six months of pandemic, there’s also mounting research that shows children are less likely to transmit and contract Covid-19,” Reynolds said.

State Epidemiologist Caitlyn Pedati says districts must notify the state if a child, teacher or school staff member tests positive – and public health officials will notify those who were in close contact to quarantine for 14 days.

The teachers union immediately pushed back, saying the lives of children and teachers are at stake and science not politics should guide decisions.