LOS ANGELES – Pointing to recent increases in statewide coronavirus cases, the rate of people testing positive and hospitalizations, Gov. Gavin Newsom made an almost-parental plea to residents Wednesday, demanding that they wear masks and take precautions to halt the spread of the virus.
He also delivered a warning to individual counties that fail to enforce health requirements, saying those that fall short will lose funding from the state.
“We cannot support bad behaviors, but we want to encourage and support good behavior,” Newsom said. “And if counties simply are going to (flout) the rules and regulations that they attested to, the information that they put online and said, ‘We agreed to this criteria.’ … If they decide, ‘well, you know what, even though the numbers are going up, we’re done, we’ve got this, we’re just going to … dismiss these new rules and regulations’ — we’re going to attach some considerations, some consequences to that. There’s $2.5 billion in this budget that simply will not flow to those counties that do that.”
He said he does not anticipate taking such action, insisting that health officials across the state have been cooperative and done all they can to implement regulations to control the virus — to the point that some, including Los Angeles County public health director Barbara Ferrer, have been receiving death threats.
But he said the state won’t tolerate counties that are lax in enforcing health regulations, noting that state funding will be doled out on a monthly — not annual — basis so the state can ensure ongoing adherence to health restrictions.
In his televised speech (view it below), Newsom took an almost fatherly tone as he addressed residents about taking personal responsibility for halting spread of the virus, to the point of posting a chart about the proper way to wash your hands.
“Washing your hands isn’t just putting your damn hands, forgive my language, under the faucet for two seconds and calling it a day,” he said. “We’ve all seen that. Many have done that …but in this pandemic, come on. We can do a little more and a little bit better.”
He also re-emphasized his statewide mandate for residents to wear masks in most situations outside the home as a way to prevent transmitting the virus to others. And he delivered a message to young residents who may not feel vulnerable to the virus.
“You’re not invincible from COVID-19,” he said “Quite the contrary, this is a disease that easily spreads, very easily spreads. And if you’re not (concerned) about yourself because you’re like, `I got this, I’m strong, I’m young, I’m healthy, don’t worry about me I’m tough,’ well consider others. I don’t care what your political stripe is. I don’t care what your background is. Everybody needs to be loved and everybody loves. You know what? Everybody cares about somebody and somebody else. If that’s the case, demonstrate it. Prove it. Protect others by wearing a face covering.”
The state on Tuesday set a record for the daily increase in the number of coronavirus cases. Newsom noted Wednesday that while some may attribute the jump to an increase in testing, other key markers in the state are also on the rise. He said the most recent 14-day average of people testing positive for the virus statewide overall is 5.1%, up from 4.6% earlier this month, and the average over the last seven days is up to 5.6%.
Newsom also said the number of people hospitalized across the state due to the virus increased by 29% over the past two weeks, while the number of ICU patients went up 18%.
He said the increases correlate directly to efforts to reopen the economy that began about a month ago, combined with statewide mass protests against police brutality and an increase in people likely feeling more comfortable and holding family gatherings at their homes.
“I’m not naive. People are mixing and that is increasing the spread of this virus,” he said. “It shouldn’t surprise anybody. Not only as we reopen our economy but we begin to reopen our households and we begin to go back to our old ways and our old habits, the consequence is we are spreading this virus. And it is incumbent on us to recognize that. … It is our behaviors that are leading to these numbers and we are putting people’s lives at risk.”
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Kristy says
The very same people behind the scenes, controlling ANTIFA, are the very same ones who control Governor Newsom. Newsom initiates nothing, he takes no initiative on anything, without first clearing it through his handlers, Pelosi, Feinstein, Harris, Schiff and Waters –
Mikael says
… making Mexifornia safe, for the hoodlums, the punks, the looters, the rioters, and the gangbangers, Gavin Newsom, and bestest little sissyboy buddy, Eric Garcetti –
Magnetlady says
Everywhere I go, I’m required to wear a mask. Now, at the ”Doctors/Dentists Offices” PLUS the Nail Salon, I’m having my temperature taken.. I don’t like wearing the Mask, but I do to protect others. There will NOT be a ”vaccine” till 2021, if at all… However, IF the Governor declares another ”Lock Down”, I seriously doubt that people will comply, especially businesses! We cannot take the ”ECONOMIC FAILURE” one more time!! We should ”quarantine the SICK ONLY” not ”HEALTHY People”!!! We are exposed to all sorts of diseases throughout our life, therefore we build up our IMMUNE SYSTEM towards them… As Gov. Cuomo said, he was surprised that most of the sick people were the one’s who stayed at home!!
jewl says
Look up definition of a virus…
Shane Falco says
I’m enjoying the irony of Newsom withholding funds from counties for not not following a state edict while suing the federal government to keep funding while not enforcing immigration laws.
Just Asking says
What immigration laws is he not enforcing?
Either way, ironic or not,, he has the authority to do both. So what is your point?
Bite Me says
He doesnt have authority to hinder or prohibit Federal Law which is supreme under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution. His AB-450 violates several areas and/or hinders federal law enforcement. In addition, he cannot force me to comply with his “wishes” which are not Laws such as wearing a face mask. The Governor cannot enact a Law nor direct lawful enforcement of is directive which is not law.
Im curious to know why you think he has the authority to “do both”? Not to argue, just to open a discussion to understand your (and possibly others) reasoning.
XYZ says
His point sits atop his head.
AV Illegal says
Even more ironic….when President Trump was going to withhold funds because of the sanctuary state policies….Little Gavin had a temper tantrum. Now here he is doing the same play only on his own cities/counties.
Bite Me says
Is this is the same guy who cries when he hears funding may be stopped because he constantly violates Federal immigration laws and wants to give your tax dollars away to illegals while cutting police funding?
This guy cannot enact laws or regulations nor direct me to buy and wear a mask. BTW, wheres his mask?
No supplier of masks can advertise they prevent the spread of Covid-19 because they dont. Its no different than farting in your underwear, it still gets out.
How about cleaning up the Crap and Needles on the street and the real items that spread disease? Oh im sorry, did I just step on your supporters rights to violate laws and put the public at risk of catching something? Are you enforcing that all homeless and drug addicts living on the streets are wearing masks?
I cant stand these Communist politicians who pretend to have our best interest in mind when they are screwing you at every turn, spreading fear, buying votes, lining their pockets, and preaching whats best for you.
Bite Me
Put your mask where the sun don’t shine says
I couldn’t have said it better myself!
Hack-n-Expose says
Fact is….. This will continue to spread because people are flat out over sitting home and it’s like hot sweaty nutts in Louisiana on a hot Saturday afternoon wearing those mask..
Unfortunately if they really want it to slow down they’ll have to implement another lockdown an take care of the people that help make this country is powerful as it is until there’s a vaccine .. lmao but they won’t so people just want to live their lives again…
Bite Yourself says
You know its simple minded numskulls like you who make this country suck as much as it does.
So the fact that science has time and again proven that masks do offer a level of protection against viral infections means nothing to you… I guess all the brilliant doctors who wear masks are doing so for shi+s and giggles, not because they are protected by them.
You further proved your point and more so, your idiocy, when you compared smelling a fart to catching COVID-19…
Best of luck when you catch it… And without a mask, you WILL catch it. It’s just a matter of time! In the meantime, stay out of the stores that people with brains in their heads are shopping in.
Bite Me says
Asked for a simple explanation as to someone position for a real discussion and attacks start. Typical Liberal response. So I will state it this way, follow along if you can. Might get technical.
The Covid-19 virus is approximately .125mm diameter. It is noted tho that its common method of transmission by coughing or sneezing is around 0.5-3.0 microns. 3.0 micron is about the best any HEPA filter can block. If you feel safe knowing the person breathing near you with their T-shirt, handkerchief, painters mask, underwear, or whatever anyone personally prefers to improperly secure to their face then im happy for you.
Have you never question why there are no minimum requirement for public mask filtration other than public should not wear N95 masks. Maybe that recommendation has been lifted by now. All I know is the major corporation I work for do not allow us to wear N95 for protection. Maybe if we could all wear N95 masks, which can filter down to 3-micron’s, it “might” help. BTW, I never compared smelling a fart to catching Covid-19. I just pointed out I could technically wear my underwear on my face for a mask and you should feel safe and protect based on the Governors and CDC requirements. Oh, and again, at no time did I say I did Not wear a mask in privately owned businesses, aka stores, as I know legally they have the right to refuse me service. Its their rules.
Guess you would never question (because you are told what to think) why the latest CDC recommendation says I should not wear a mask if im exercising, even in public. Wow, the virus must really hate exercise. Supposed you dont read the scientific journals or studies showing there are health and biological issues with re-breathing in the crap coming out of your lungs. I assume you replace your mask each and every time you wear one. Thats good because Newsome just spent a Billion of your tax dollars to buy Chinese masks to protect you and will now provide you one “Free of Charge” just for asking. What a Guy!!? So there you go, im glad you will never catch the Covid virus and thank you for letting me know your crystal ball says I will.
I apologize that I am an educated 60 year old Native California, or Numbskull to you, that prefers to use logic, reasoning, research, and analyze the data (part of my professional career for over 40 years). This has causes me to think for myself and draw my own conclusions, unlike you who will do and believe what you are told.
Tell you what, if you pass me by while driving by yourself, in your car, wearing your mask, please keep going. I am allergic to Liberals, its a medical condition, and because of it I actually dont need to wear a mask and you, nor the police can ask me about it because of HIPPA laws.
Bite Me
Front line worker says
Do me a favor, Bite Me, when you go to a place that requires masks, please keep moving on, and don’t make a scene by calling me a communist or a liberal, because I’m not interested in your opinion. If you don’t want to comply, don’t bother to use your phone to film your stupidity either. Look up the people like you that have tried to impose their will on others by making a scene, and see, that every time they were thrown out of said private property.
Really? says
Uh oh…another front line hero weighs in. Hey, if you don’t like the science or opinion, go browse another web page.
What makes you think someone has to do or not do something just because you say it?
Back of Line says
I didn’t read anywhere that Bite Me said they didn’t ware a mask when required. CAN YOU SAY SUBMISSION!!!!!!
Really? says
Liberalism is just as bad as a virus. It is spreading throughout the country with crime, poverty, violence and destruction. Unfortunately a mask won’t stop it……oh, just like the corona.
Bite this....... says
If a fart make it through two layers of cloth, including denim jeans, how confident are you feeling in that mask????
Laughing says
Farts are gaseous.
Spit is not.
Science.
XYZ says
Your ignorance is noted.