My colleague Mary Chastain recently reported that four Blue State governors have finally embraced real science, and are now ending pandemic mandates after recognizing the virus has become endemic.
California can now be added to the list, with a proviso. The mask mandates will end next week…but only indoors and for vaccinated people.
Citing a 65% drop in Covid-19 cases since the peak of the Omicron surge, California will end its statewide indoor mask mandate for vaccinated individuals next week, nearly two years after it was first implemented, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Monday.”On February 15, California’s statewide indoor mask requirement will expire. Unvaccinated people must still wear masks in indoor public settings,” he said. Less than 20% of the state’s population remain unvaccinated, according to data from the state health department.
Despite the governor’s order, local public health officials have the authority to grind away at their citizens with continued restrictions and mandates.
Temporary requirements that visitors to nursing homes or other long-term care facilities show proof of vaccination and a booster shot, in addition to a negative test result, would be allowed to expire, officials said.“Omicron has loosened its hold on California, vaccines for children under 5 are around the corner, and access to Covid-19 treatments is improving,” said Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, the director of California’s Department of Public Health.Local public health officials still have the authority to keep restrictions in place that are tougher than the state ones.
Here is an example of some of the city-specific insanity.
Last week, Oakland became the latest city in California to require proof of full vaccination to enter certain businesses. Similar rules are in place in West Hollywood.Berkeley on Monday began requiring workers at restaurants, gyms and childcare facilities to receive a booster shot if they’re eligible. The city is also requiring all patrons age 5 and older to show proof of full vaccination to eat at indoor restaurants and enter indoor theaters.San Francisco, however, has tweaked its requirements. The city partially softened its vaccination verification rule last week to allow certain indoor businesses to permit unvaccinated customers to enter if they cite religious beliefs or a qualifying medical reason. But they must show a recent negative coronavirus test — administered by a test provider and showing the person’s name — to enter.For vaccinated San Francisco customers who don’t want to bother with getting a recent negative test, booster shots will now be required for entrance to certain locales for those who are eligible. San Jose made a similar adjustment Friday for indoor events of 50 or more people at city-owned sites.
And it appears the mask mandate will remain in Los Angeles County.
As a reminder: San Francisco now has opened a “linkage center” that allows people to openly shoot-up narcotics there. That, I think, shows you exactly where public health lies on their list of priorities.
And the school mask mandate is still in place for the time being. Perhaps more high schools will decide to take the approach that Oakdale High School took?
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