California Joins Other States and Relaxes Pandemic Restrictions
State political leaders in California announced the relaxation of some of the country’s most restrictive COVID policies. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state would no longer mandate masks in indoor settings for vaccinated residents.
The current rules were instituted during the December omicron wave but will be allowed to expire on February 15. California joined other Democratic states such as New York and New Jersey which announced similar measures as cases subside
How will the new order affect unvaccinated Californians?
INSTRUCTORS: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Videos:
News Articles:
California will end its indoor mask mandate next week.
New York Times
2/9/22
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/07/us/california-indoor-mask-mandate.html
When can California school children take off their masks?
Fox 2 KTVU
2/9/22
https://www.ktvu.com/news/when-can-california-schoolchildren-take-off-their-masks
Gov. Newsom expected to ease school mask mandate on Monday
CBS 8
2/11/22
California eyes endemic COVID strategy
Cal Matters
2/2/22
https://calmatters.org/newsletters/whatmatters/2022/02/endemic-covid-california-strategy/
News Articles (Analyses):
COVID politics ensnare California Super Bowl
Cal Matters
2/11/22
https://calmatters.org/newsletters/whatmatters/2022/02/super-bowl-covid-politics/
LA County’s outdoor mask mandate could be lifted as early as Wednesday as hospitalizations drop
ABC 7
2/11/22
https://abc7.com/la-county-masks-covid-hospitalizations-mask-mandate/11554333/
L.A. County decision to delay dropping mask mandate draws mixed reactions
KTLA
2/9/22
Los Angeles Mask Mandates Run Into Issue of Policing 70,000 at Super Bowl
Newsweek
2/3/22
https://www.newsweek.com/los-angeles-mask-mandates-run-issue-policing-70000-super-bowl-1676025
Assessment:
Writing: Explain the timing of California and New York’s decision end mask mandates. What risk, if any, is Governor Newsom taking by issuing this order now?
Debate: Should masks be required in schools until there is herd immunity?
Poll: Should the Super Bowl have been relocated due to the pandemic?
Short Answer: Describe how differing pandemic restrictions from the CDC, state , and local government have created confusion among the public?
QUIZ:
How did Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti explain the photos that showed him unmasked at SoFi Stadium?
- Garcetti said he misplaced his mask
- Garcetti said he held his breath
- Garcetti said he no longer believes masks are effective
- Garcetti said Magic Johnson made him remove it
Why do many believe that it will be difficult to remove mask mandates in California schools?
- parents are adamantly insistent on masks
- federal law requires it
- powerful teachers’ unions have been insistent on masks
- doctors have universally endorsed the benefit of masks in schools
How many counties are in California?
- 58
- 75
- 158
- 175
The Super Bowl is considered a mega event is subject to all county pandemic protocols. (T/F)
California has implemented some of the nation’s strictest pandemic restrictions. (T/F)
The Los Angeles Public Health Director said COVID cases must drop below 730 daily for 14 consecutive days before the mask mandate is revoked. (T/F)
