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Over It: Californians Ignoring Newsom’s New Mask Mandate

   DailyWire.com
California Gov. Gavin Newsom visits a mobile COVID-19 vaccination center on March 10, 2021 in South Gate, California.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

A growing number of Californians are ignoring Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s statewide indoor mask mandate that went into effect on Wednesday as residents push back against the new restriction.

Model and podcaster Jessica Vaughn tweeted, “Insider secret: At a party at a public bar in Hollywood, CA with the pretties. Not a mask in sight. You’re being hustled to use federal funds to make the changes to the nation they always wanted but couldn’t legally legislate.”

The Sacramento Bee reported on Thursday that many are unclear regarding who is responsible to enforce the new mask mandate.

“I have more faith than you do in the capacity of people to do the right thing. That’s the response,” Newsom told a reporter during a press conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday, according to the report.

“I think people are more capable once they’re given the ‘why’ and the ‘what’ to apply themselves,” the governor added. “I think a lot of people will self-enforce and do the right thing.”

It appears Newsom’s focus on “self-enforcement” is quickly leading to no enforcement at all.

Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey announced his city will not enforce the mask mandate.

“Bailey said if California can host the Superbowl and the Oscars in the next several weeks, ‘the emergency is already over,’” KUSI News reported.

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells has also said he will not enforce the indoor mask mandate.

“I’m not telling people they can’t require people coming into their businesses to wear masks. That’s a personal decision. I’m just saying we’re not going to enforce it,” San Diego Fox-5 reported.

In Orange County, former Congresswoman Mimi Walters said, “It’s as if nothing has really changed here in Orange County.”

“Several cities within San Diego County including Oceanside, El Cajon, and Coronado are choosing to NOT enforce California’s COVID-19 indoor mask mandate,” San Diego reporter Malik Earnest tweeted.

Popular burger franchise In-N-Out has also chosen not to enforce a California county’s mandate to screen customers’ vaccine status, a decision the company previously became known for in October. As the Daily Wire reported:

In-N-Out restaurants in the county will continue to serve customers on a takeout and drive-thru basis but will be shutting its indoor operations rather than comply with the county’s health order. The fast food chain has been a vocal opponent of the county’s and other similar mandates, receiving several fines and being forced to temporarily shutter two locations.

“This order is necessary now to save lives, protect our overburdened healthcare system, and slow the pandemic enough to keep our schools open,” Contra Costa County health officer Chris Farnitano said in a September statement announcing the new county health codes. “Reducing community transmission of the virus now is key to preventing future spikes in cases from overwhelming our county’s hospitals during the winter months.”

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