Written by Bobbie Wylie
California has extended its state-wide mask mandate through February 15. This extension comes amid a surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the state and the presence of the omicron variant. Many saw an extension of this mandate coming from the moment it was announced, with people pointing to previous mandates during the pandemic.
The extension was announced Wednesday by Dr. Mark Ghaly, the State Health and Human Services Secretary, “At that time, we will again re-evaluate the condition across California, our communities and our health-care delivery settings to make sure that we are taking the latest information into account to determine if there would be another extension, or if we’re prepared to lift that requirement across the state,” Ghaly said. “Omicron is here and it’s here now.”
The original indoor mask mandate went into effect on December 15 and was set to end one month later on January 15. This mandate requires that masks be worn in all indoor spaces throughout the state, regardless of vaccination status. The mandate was immediately met with criticism as a poor policy that has not worked in the past. Instead of changing the policy, the California government has decided to continue the policy.
On Wednesday, San Diego County Officials reported more than 8,000 new COVID-19 cases. The total number of COVID-19 cases in San Diego County since the onset of the pandemic falls just short of 500,000. Los Angeles County reported 21,000 new COVID cases.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, Tuesday saw just over 8,000 hospitalizations for COVID-19 statewide.
Dr. Ghaly urged Californians to get vaccinated, obtain their booster shots and to wear better-fitting masks to combat omicron. The extension of the mask mandate comes just days after a report that suggested cloth masks are ineffective against the omicron variant of COVID-19.
Dr. Ghaly also said the mandate would not impact Super Bowl LVI, which is scheduled to be held in SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, a suburb of Los Angeles, on February 13. The NFL did inquire about the possibility of having the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas host, but the NFL has remained committed to holding the game in Los Angeles and says they are taking the necessary precautions.
Photo Cred:(Mario Tama/Getty Images
