A federal judge has extended his order allowing Iowa schools to require that students and staff wear masks.

The new order preventing enforcement of the state law banning mask mandates in schools lasts until October 11th. The judge’s original restraining order was issued September 13th and, since then, at least two dozen Iowa districts have adopted some sort of requirement that face coverings be worn at school. The Associated Press is reporting court documents in support of the lawsuit indicate that in the first month of this school year, the number of Covid cases in 11 Iowa school districts was higher than the number of positive cases in all of the last school year. The Ap also says 16 districts, including Marshalltown, have recorded at least 50% of the cases this year that was reported all of last school year.