As California’s mask mandate returned Dec. 15 for indoor public spaces, some Orange County residents said they are “not going to abide,” while others support the law.
statewide mask mandate for all residents, regardless of vaccination status, will remain in place until Jan. 15. Officials say it was reintroduced after a surge in CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus cases, which causes the disease COVID-19, since Thanksgiving.
Alison Burchette, of Costa Mesa, said the mandate was another burden that would not be taken seriously since the state has gone in and out of CCP virus pandemic restrictions.
“At this point it is just white noise,” Burchette told Pezou.
As the California Department of Public Health deemed businesses responsible for enforcing the mandates, Burchette stated it would distract small business owners from running their businesses.
“Another burden on small businesses [is] the enforcement and [doing] the government’s job,” Burchette said.
Grace Hobbs, of Newport Beach, said her family would not comply with the mask mandates.
“We think it’s absolutely absurd,” Hobbs said.
While shopping at a local Ralphs on Wednesday, Hobb’s husband entered the grocery store maskless along with other maskless shoppers. store employees did not rush to ensure masks were worn by shoppers, Hobbs said.
Another county resident, who declined to provide her name, told Pezou she did not mind the mask mandate as the CCP virus pandemic persists.
“It’s not a problem to wear a mask,” she said.
Despite some residents refusing to abide, the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) stated its support for the mask mandate as more residents gather for holiday celebrations.
“We support the State’s latest measures intended to bring additional protection to us all and our loved ones,” HCA Director Dr. Clayton Chau said in a statement. “As I mentioned before, we have all the tools available to fight the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, through vaccination, testing and prevention measures including masking.”
While the state is required to abide by the mask mandates, the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) announced indoor masks requirements are exempt for groups with 100 percent fully vaccinated people in workspace and gym settings, SFDPH wrote on Twitter on Dec. 14.
“This refinement acknowledges the hard work of the people of San Francisco throughout the pandemic, including the ways in which we have maintained reasonable protections heading into the holiday season,” SFDPH wrote.
Pezou : Orange County Residents React to New Mask Mandate