Across the nation, the number of coronavirus cases is plunging.
The average number of newly reported U.S. Covid-19 cases has fallen below 30,000 and is steadily decreasing, as more of the nation gets vaccinated against the deadly illness.More than 39% of the total U.S. population has been fully vaccinated, and in 25 states and the District of Columbia, more than half of adult residents are now fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
I would also like to point out that for the 7th week in a row, the national reproduction number has been less than 1, which means the virus is no longer spreading at epidemic levels.
In a normal state, this news would be greeted with relief and decisions would be made to end any and all pandemic restrictions . . . especially in light of the revealing emails of Dr. Anthony Fauci, who made it clear that coronavirus policy was based on politics and not science.
But, alas, California is not a normal state and its governor intends to bitterly cling to emergency powers past June 15th (the date when most pandemic rules are ending for the public).
While California will end most of its coronavirus restrictions on June 15, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday he will not lift the statewide “state of emergency” that gives him broad powers to either suspend or declare new rules and regulations.California has been under a state of emergency since March 4, 2020. Since then, Newsom has authorized billions of dollars in emergency spending and issued at least 47 executive orders to alter or suspend 200 state laws and regulations because of the virus, according to a resolution authored by Republican state senators.Newsom says most of the state’s virus restrictions will end on June 15. But Newsom said that doesn’t mean he will lift the “state of emergency” on that date.”We’re still in a state of emergency. This disease has not been extinguished. It’s not vanished, it’s not taking the summer months off,” Newsom said during a news conference to draw the names of 15 vaccinated people to win $50,000.
State bureaucrats also intend to hang onto as much power as they can as well. For example, California Occupational Safety and Health Administration requiring masking at the workplace unless everyone in a room is fully vaccinated, despite less onerous guidance from the CDC.
While California prepares to reopen June 15, Cal/OSHA has voted to relax physical distancing requirements for California’s workforce, but voted to require masks for workers if any non-vaccinated people are present.While the CDC said vaccinated people do not need to wear masks indoors (with the exception of in large groups) and California Governor Gavin Newsom is planning to ease restrictions starting June 15, Cal/OSHA has the ultimate say regarding what rules employees in the state have to follow.
The coronavirus has certainly unmasked the craving for power in the state’s politicians and agency officials.
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