Thanks, GOP. We’re not going to get out of this any time soon, are we?

IOWA CITY (AP) — University of Iowa students and several bars in Iowa City are facing criticism after throngs of young adults were seen crowded together outside and within the venues — most without masks — just hours before in-person classes were to start Monday at the university and many Iowa K-12 schools.

Iowa City police took a complaint just after 1 a.m. Sunday that several bars were all over capacity and not enforcing a mask mandate, the Gazette reported.

A reporter with the Gazette also checked several bars around midnight and confirmed that most did not appear to be enforcing social distancing inside or mask wearing ordered by Iowa City’s mayor.

The scene came only a day after university officials issued a campus message reminding students to wear face coverings in accordance with city and county mandates and to keep at least 6 feet apart when possible.

Throngs of University of Iowa students at Iowa City bars raise alarm (Omaha World-Herald)