Iowa appeals after federal judge approves injunction on law prohibiting mask mandates

Des Moines, Iowa – After weeks of temporary restraining orders against an Iowa law prohibiting mask mandates, a federal judge on Friday issued a permanent injunction against the law’s execution. As a result, schools can require face masks for students and teachers.

Attorney General Tom Miller immediately appealed the decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. If the state is unable to get a favorable outcome there, the case is unlikely to be heard by the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has never examined previous cases questioning mask and vaccination regulations, despite a history of sustaining such measures during past pandemics.

Several school districts have already implemented complete or partial mask mandates, including Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Linn-Mar, and others.

The following is a statement from Governor Kim Reynolds:

“We will never stop fighting for the rights of parents to decide what is best for their children and to uphold state laws enacted by our elected legislators. We will defend the rights and liberties afforded to all American citizens protected by our constitution.”