Local officials across California balk at Newsom face mask order, say they won't enforce it [View all]
Local governments and police departments in California have said in recent days that they will not enforce a mandate from Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom that people in the state wear face masks in most public places, including outdoor areas where social distancing is not possible -- despite emphasis from the governor about the importance of following the order.
The order comes as California faces a spike in coronavirus hospitalizations as it opens up its economy.
Local politicians and law enforcement officials throughout the state are saying that they won't use the force of law to ensure people wear the masks, with varying degrees of outright resistance to the governor. Reinette Senum, the mayor of tiny Nevada City, for example, tore into Newsom in a Facebook post saying that "[o]ur Governor does NOT have the unilateral power to make such orders." The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, on the other hand, said it recommends that people wear face masks and would work in "an educational capacity" to encourage mask-wearing, while not actually enforcing the mandate.
The at least one dozen municipal governments and police departments coming out against enforcement of the mask guidelines represent a significant schism between state and local authorities on how hard a line to take on the health measures.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/local-officials-across-california-balk-at-newsom-face-mask-order-say-they-wont-enforce-it/ar-BB15QaKm?li=BBnb7Kz
Tell you what. A mask is a lot more comfortable than having a respirator hose shoved down your trachea.