With Governor Kim Reynolds announcing that the public health emergency proclamation for COVID-19 will expire soon, one local lawmaker talks about the decision. 

The public health emergency proclamation is set to expire in a week and Iowa State Senator for District 10 Jake Chapman says Iowa has come a long way and was recognized as one of the top states to be able to get through COVID-19 financially. 

“I think these are things we should be very proud of. We got kids back to school, we addressed vaccine passports, we addressed mask requirements, we did all those things during this pandemic and Iowans are resilient and our economy is resilient. You look at what we have been able to accomplish under our leadership over these last couple of years with COVID-19, and the reality is COVID-19 is really going to be a part of our lives in conversations moving forward for many years to come.” 

Chapman tells Raccoon Valley Radio that COVID-19 is now being contained much like the flu and other diseases.

“It’s going to be a part of our lives but we’ve, I think, done a great job and I think the governor has done a tremendous job in being able to balance public safety, getting people back to work (and) letting people live their lives.

 The public health emergency proclamation is set to expire on February 15th.