Des Moines Mayor Worried About Iowa Trump Rally

Des Moines mayor Frank Cownie says that he is worried that a rally planned by President Trump on Wednesday at the Des Moines International Airport could turn into a super spreader event. The Des Moines Register reports that even though the city has a mask mandate in effect, Wednesday's planned rally by the president will be held at the airport's Iowa National Guard Facility, which is not under city control.

The Trump campaign says it encourages people attending rallies to wear masks and socially distance themselves. According to the Register, the campaign says that all attendees will have their temperatures taken, be given masks and instructions to use them. But the president has held many rallies where people do not socially distance themselves, and few wear masks, including the president.

Mayor Cownie told the Register that "we don't want a super-spread event here in Des Moines. We would urge everyone who attends this event to wear a mask and social distance the best they can." In August, Des Moines mandated masks in public places where social distancing can't be observed. Violations carry no penalty.

Mayor Cownie told the Register that Iowans have to do whatever they can to keep COVID-19 numbers down, whether that means wearing a mask, washing hands, and just being smart. He says that the pandemic is "proven, it's scientific facts"

A Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll released in late September showed President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden in a statistical dead heat in Iowa with just weeks to go before election day.