Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a new mandate on Thursday. Mask up everywhere, wash your hands, stand six feet apart.
Will that apply to BLM protests? we ask knowing the answer is “probably not.”
The order on Thursday says that California has “limited the spread of COVID-19 and associated hospitalizations and deaths” through “collective actions” but that it’s not over.
“Simply put, we are seeing too many people with faces uncovered,” said Newsom, “putting at risk the real progress we have made in fighting the disease.”
The order states the requirement plainly:
This document updates existing CDPH guidance for the use of cloth face coverings by the general public when outside the home. It mandates that face coverings be worn state-wide in the circumstances and with the exceptions outlined below. It does not substitute for existing guidance about social distancing and handwashing.
Here is the specific guidance. You’ll note it affect people doing normal things like shopping or riding in cabs but not protesting by the thousands.
People in California must wear face coverings when they are in the high-risk situations listed below:
- Inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space;
- Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank;2
- Waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit or while in a taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle;
- Engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when:
- Interacting in-person with any member of the public;
- Working in any space visited by members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time;
- Working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others;
- Working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking facilities;
- In any room or enclosed area where other people (except for members of the person’s own household or residence) are present when unable to physically distance.
- Driving or operating any public transportation or paratransit vehicle, taxi, or private car service or ride-sharing vehicle when passengers are present. When no passengers are present, face coverings are strongly recommended.
- While outdoors in public spaces when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.
The order also generously offers some exceptions, like kids younger than 2 years.
Y’all remember how people were like “it’s not a law it’s just polite, nobody is trying to control you”?
Anyway we’ll see how the protests go.