Nikoel Hytrek at Iowa Starting Line:
Last year, Iowans unimpressed with Gov. Kim Reynolds’ handling of the COVID-19 pandemic gave her a new moniker: “COVID Kim.”
Since then, the name has become common among Reynolds’ critics online. WHO 13’s Dave Price asked her about it in an interview that aired Sunday.
Name calling is cheap, even if it’s fitting. Let’s look at what she says.
“People never 100 percent agree with the decisions I make.”
This is true of every elected official, so it doesn’t actually mean anything.
“You know, I have to take a look at the data, surround myself with experts that give me feedback, we did that.”
Data was the free space on Reynolds-press-conference bingo last year. I don’t doubt she looked at data. I don’t doubt she had experts offer input. I just don’t believe she prioritized either.
“I’ve tried to be transparent with Iowans.”
Unlike with Utahns.
“I put my trust in people to do the right thing. They did the right thing.”
She trusts them unless they run any sort of school or work in local government. Some folks did the right thing and some carried on like nothing happened. About six out of 10 got vaccinated. Some spread lies online and in their social circles.