Dear Iowa State Senators and Representatives,
As you return to your work at the Iowa State Capitol and debate the issues most critical to the health, security and economic sustainability of Iowans, the Iowa Public Health Association welcomes you back and asks that you accept your position of critical role models to the people of Iowa.
As you know, we are still in the midst of a pandemic that has, at the time of writing, cost 4,251 Iowan lives. By the time you read this, that number will have grown, and more families will be mourning the loss of cherished loved ones. We applaud your decision to protect Capitol visitors by opening your proceedings to the public via livestream platforms. Accessibility to you and transparency in decision making is a hallmark of our democracy.