Iowa Poll finds majority of Iowans oppose mask mandate ban

DES MOINES, Iowa — Half of Iowans surveyed oppose a state law banning local mask mandates including in area schools. That's according to a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll.

The poll found very few without an opinion on the matter. While 50% oppose the mandate ban, 47% say they support it. The figures represent a small shift from June when 49% supported the ban and 46% opposed it.

Some surveyed who supported the mask mandate ban also supported requiring COVID-19 vaccines for children. 55% were found to support a vaccine mandate once the vaccines receive full approval. The Pfizer vaccine is the only to receive FDA approval for adults. Right now there is no timeline for the same approval for the smaller dose for kids.

Earlier this month, a federal judge blocked enforcement of the mask mandate ban in Iowa schools. Since then, several districts in eastern Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Linn-Mar and others, have reinstated mask mandates that were in place last year before the ban.