States tightening anti-virus restrictions amid case surge

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The deadly rise in COVID-19 cases across the U.S. is forcing state and local officials to adjust their blueprints for fighting the virus, with Republican governors adopting mask mandates — skeptically, in at least one case — and schools scrapping plans to reopen classrooms. The steps face blowback from those who question the science behind mask wearing and social distancing and fear the new restrictions will kill off more…