Scientific method and common sense ...

A paraphrased version of a couple of lines from an old protestant hymn has been running through my head this week:

"My hope is built on nothing less,

Than scientific method and common sense."

This is a situational recasting, not intended to diminish the meaning of the original words for those who are believers, but it did come to mind after Gov. Kim Reynolds' address to the state last evening. 

Reynolds announced what some news organizations are describing as a "broad" mask mandate, but could be more accurately described as "broader." It fell far short of either scientific method or common sense.

There's the 15-minute exemption for example and it's hard to say where that one came from. But under the new rules you can be in a public space for up to 15 minutes without the need, under the mandate, to wear a mask. After that, the mandate kicks in.

Crowd limits are imposed, but not in church buildings.

And no mention was made of schools public and private (other than athletic events) and vastly enhanced and easily available testing and the resources needed to allow contact tracing --- two of the keys to controlling the virus.

In effect, the new rules give anyone who has been resisting the need to wear a mask or to otherwise promote personal and public safety enough loopholes to continue their resistance. Someone commenting after the address described the entire package as "rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic."

The governor, a joyful and maskless participant in large-scale spreader events until election day, says mandates are unenforceable. That's true. There are not enough law enforcement personnel in Iowa to locate and charge all who violate public safety mandates.

But that misses the point. Having a mandate on the books gives it power. Some will observe the rules because it's the intelligent thing to do, others because they're backed unequivocally by the state and, at the least, those who resist will be publicly shamed.