California masks up — again

From: POLITICO California Playbook - Tuesday Dec 14,2021 02:18 pm

Dec 14, 2021

By Jeremy B. White, Isabella Bloom and Graph Massara

Presented by Our Health California

THE BUZZ — NICE WHILE IT LASTED: Those masks may be getting ragged from nearly two years of use, but we hope you haven’t discarded them just yet. Because California’s mask mandate is returning.

Facial coverings will be mandatory for indoor public spaces across the state starting on Wednesday through mid-January, California’s top doc, Mark Ghaly, announced on Monday. POLITICO’s Victoria Colliver has some details.

Ghaly cited a nearly 50 percent increase in case rates after Californians gathered for Thanksgiving; hospitalizations are up 17 percent in that time. The decision follows confirmed Omicron variant infections proliferating in the weeks since the new strain was first identified in California. People are “tired and hungry for normalcy,” Ghaly said, but this is “a critical time” for battling the virus. Gov. Gavin Newsom has warned for weeks of a winter surge, pointing to earlier troublesome trends in infection rates as he implored Californians to get their shots.

Hunger for normalcy notwithstanding, many Californians have already reconciled themselves to a perpetually masked lifestyle. Los Angeles, the Bay Area and other locales have instituted their own mandates. In ways, this is another tale of two Californias: Ghaly said masking requirements already cover about half of the state, while areas like Riverside, San Bernardino and the Central Valley — all with lower vaccination rates — risk overloading hospitals. People will need to show proof of vaccination or negative tests for large events like concerts and games, and officials are recommending people get tested after leaving the state.

As with past mandates, enforcement will fall largely to private businesses and individuals. Public health officials are counting on Californians to follow the rules without resorting to fines or other penalties — which likely means businesses will wield a prominent role in ensuring people mask up. That will feel familiar to anyone who has dined at a restaurant that asks its customers to obey certain precautions. Defenders of California’s move argued businesses already have ample experience with mask and vaccine requirements.

But the announcement has inevitably drawn complaints from restriction-weary Californians, some of whom warned about the added burden on businesses still struggling with supply chain issues and the long recovery from earlier lockdowns. Even some of those who lauded the mandate as the right thing to do evinced the type of “here-we-go-again” lassitude that’s become a recurring feature of this pandemic, with its waves and attendant political responses.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING: Indoor mask mandates are one thing. Far more consequential would be rules that shutter or sharply limit schools and businesses. A reminder of Newsom’s response when California recorded its first Omicron case , just under two weeks ago: “We can avoid shutting down our schools or businesses. None of us want to see that happen. I certainly don’t want to see that happen, and I see no indication at this moment whatsoever that that’s in our immediate future as long as we continue our nation-leading efforts.”

BUENOS DÍAS, good Tuesday morning. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti faces a public vetting in D.C. today as his nomination to be ambassador to India goes before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit jwhite@politico.com or follow me on Twitter @jeremybwhite.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We are proactively putting this tool — universal indoor masking in public settings — in place to ensure we get through a time of joy and hope without a darker cloud of concern and despair.” Ghaly explains the move.

TWEET OF THE DAY: The @CaliforniaLabor Federation is not thrilled about Time making Tesla CEO Elon Musk its person of the year: “Hey @TIME, way to select a narcissistic worker-hating, union-busting, billionaire CEO who tolerates racism and live-tweets from his toilet. No, we don't mean you choosing Donald Trump as ‘Person of the Year’ in 2016, we mean Elon Musk in 2021. #FailOfTheYear @elonmusk”

WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: California Playbook won’t publish from Monday, Dec. 20-Friday, Dec. 31. We’ll be back on our normal schedule on Monday, Jan. 3.

A message from Our Health California:

Every person deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care when they need it.

Our Health California, a grassroots advocacy community with more than 1 million supporters, is dedicated to advancing access to health care in every corner of our state. We speak out to build healthier communities and ensure equitable care for all.

Our Health California is sponsored by hospitals, health systems, and the California Hospital Association. Learn more.

TOP TALKERS

— “California proposes deep cuts to rooftop solar incentives,” by POLITICO’s Colby Bermel: The draft rules, which are likely to be approved without major changes, could set a national precedent for other states with rising rooftop solar installations. The CPUC argues its intent is to ensure the sustainable growth of customer-owned photovoltaic panels, but the changes will largely benefit investor-owned utilities that heavily lobbied to reform the popular program.

CLASS CONSEQUENCES — “ Breed tries to rein in S.F. school board with unprecedented charter amendment,” by the SF Chronicle’s Jill Tucker: “San Francisco classrooms, under a proposed change to city law, could lose millions in city funding each year if school board members continue to micromanage, treat others poorly or persist in chasing short-term political wins, its backers say.”

BURNING ISSUE — “ Wildland Firefighters Are Relying On GoFundMe To Survive After Getting Injured On The Job,” by BuzzFeed’s Brianna Sacks.

GRIM STATS — “Oakland man is 131st homicide victim this year, equaling highest number in a decade,” by the East Bay Times’ Harry Harris.

— “Police Investigating Suspicious Death at Tesla Factory in Fremont,” via NBC Bay Area.

JOIN TODAY FOR A WOMEN RULE 2021 REWIND AND A LOOK AHEAD AT 2022: Congress is sprinting to get through a lengthy and challenging legislative to-do list before the end of the year that has major implications for women’s rights. Join Women Rule editor Elizabeth Ralph and POLITICO journalists Laura Barrón-López, Eleanor Mueller, Elena Schneider and Elana Schor for a virtual roundtable that will explore the biggest legislative and policy shifts in 2021 affecting women and what lies ahead in 2022. REGISTER HERE.

CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR

PHEW! — “Southern California spared major fires as storms end an unprecedented season,” by the LA Times’ Alex Wigglesworth: “This fire season is poised to end with just three deaths — a circumstance that authorities attribute partly to the public’s willingness to heed precautionary evacuation orders and heightened awareness of the threat of wildfire.”

— “What about rebate checks? Democrats want to spend California’s surplus on infrastructure,” by the Sac Bee’s Sophia Bollag and Lara Korte: “The state expects to have so much money it risks exceeding a state spending threshold called the Gann Limit. If it does, it must send more money to schools and some money back to taxpayers through rebates.”

— “San Francisco’s vaunted tolerance dims amid brazen crimes,” by the AP’s Olga R. Rodriguez and Janie Har: “Politically liberal San Franciscans are used to living cheek by jowl with open drug use, feces-infested streets and petty crime. But a surge in home break-ins and brazen shoplifting has some residents feeling that the city they fell in love with is in decline.”

— “ Her husband was killed even after months of frantic police calls. Could it have been prevented?” by The Mercury News’ Marisa Kendall: “The tragedy exposes cracks in a criminal justice system that couldn’t protect Miles [Armstead], even though police were called 18 times to the Armsteads’ house and [Jamal] Thomas was charged three times with harassing or assaulting them. At the same time, it speaks to the consequences of a brutal housing market that pushed Thomas into homelessness, triggering a downward spiral in his mental health.”

— “‘We’re not trash.’ Rancho Cordova family with infant seeks help after RV is towed,” by The Sac Bee’s Theresa Clift: “As winter approaches and the nights grow colder, the towing of RVs and other vehicles used by the homeless has gained attention in the Sacramento area. Earlier this month, the city of Sacramento issued 160 notices to vehicles in the Commerce Circle/Lathrop Way area of North Sacramento, ordering them to be moved or be towed.”

EDD FRAUD — “Easy Money: Fraud, Fortune and Failures. A KCRA 3 Investigates documentary,” by KCRA’s Dave Manoucheri.

— “There's one major difference between Texas' abortion law and Newsom's gun proposal,” by the SF Chronicle’s Bob Elko: “When Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed allowing Californians to seek $10,000 bounties from makers and sellers of assault weapons and untraceable ‘ghost guns,’ he didn’t mention a basic difference between his plan and the Texas abortion law it’s modeled after: Unlike Texas’ abortion law, California already has state-enforced laws against those firearms.”

— “California would hire more than 1,000 more firefighters under state senator’s proposal ,” by the Sac Bee’s Wes Venteicher.

— “Back to campus under COVID: Students reflect on an unusual semester,” via CalMatters College Journalism Network.

CUTTING CONSUMPTION — " Newsom can’t get Californians to cut their water use. His family is doing far better," by The Sac Bee's Dale Kasler: "Compared to a year ago, the Newsoms have reduced water usage on their spacious Fair Oaks home by 33% from late June to early November, according to records released by the governor’s office Tuesday."

— " California isn’t cutting its greenhouse gas emissions fast enough, report says," by The Sac Bee's Andrew Sheeler: "In order to meet the 2030 goal, the state would have to see its emissions reduced by 4.3% each year from 2019 to to 2030, more than double the year-over-year reductions recorded in recent years."

'JEKYLL-AND-HYDE APPROACH' — " As deaths pile up, California lawmaker tells addiction rehab regulators blood ‘on your hands,'" by The Mercury News' Teri Sforza: "On one side are the Medi-Cal-funded programs, which must adhere to scientific, evidence-based care to get reimbursement from the public insurance program. Those are both licensed by the state, and certified for quality. On the other side are private pay-as-you-go and health insurance-funded programs, which have to be licensed by the state, but aren’t legally required to follow any specific quality standards."

A message from Our Health California:

BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL

— “Koh takes seat at last on Ninth Circuit bench,” by Courthouse News Service’s Matthew Renda: “Once spurned by Republicans at the end of the Obama administration, U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh will finally take a spot on the bench of one of the most influential appellate courts in the nation.”

CAMPAIGN MODE

— “Proposed congressional boundaries could split San Jose,” by the San Jose Spotlight’s Eli Wolfe: “The latest iteration of California’s congressional map would dramatically shake up Silicon Valley. It would split San Jose into the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th districts. Cupertino, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara would be split from Mountain View and Palo Alto.”

SILICON VALLEYLAND

— “The Labor Department is investigating Apple’s treatment of employees,” by NYT’s Kellen Browning: “Ashley Gjovik, a former employee who has been outspoken about misconduct at Apple, said she had filed the complaint ‘to ensure Apple knows they cannot get away with retaliating against me for exercising my federally and state-protected rights.’”

— ICYMI: “Her Instagram Handle Was ‘Metaverse.’ Last Month, It Vanished,” by NYT’s Maddison Connaughton: “In October, Thea-Mai Baumann, an Australian artist and technologist, found herself sitting on prime internet real estate.”

— BOARDROOM DRAMA: “ Shareholders Press Facebook for Governance Changes,” by WSJ’s Emily Glazer.

HOLLYWOODLAND

SHE MADE IT — “Kim Kardashian Celebrates Passing California ‘Baby Bar’ Exam,” by Bloomberg’s Joyce E. Cutler.

BEST OF THE BEST — “ Here’s the full list of 2022 Golden Globe nominations,” via the LA Times: “The embattled group of international journalists that hands out the Globes has been struggling to get back in Hollywood’s good graces since a February Times investigation revealed the association had no Black members and detailed allegations of financial and ethical lapses within the group.”

— “ Naomie Harris: What shocked me most? The director said nothing,” by Daily Mail’s Julia Llewellyn Smith: “No one on set said a word when a film star put his hand up Naomie Harris’s skirt. Depressingly, the Bond star feels ‘lucky’ that this was her only brush with Hollywood sleaze.”

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.

CANNABIS COUNTRY

WEED TAX REVOLUTION — “Forget the Boston Tea Party. Here comes the California Weed Tax Revolt,” by the SF Chronicle’s Joe Garofoli: “In the next few days, a few top cannabis company leaders are threatening to begin a tax revolt they say is directed at saving the state’s $4.4 billion legal cannabis industry. California may be pulling in more cannabis tax revenue than ever — $817 million this year, 55% more than the year before, according to the independent Legislative Analyst’s Office — but many of the Californians who grow and sell the crop are struggling.”

MIXTAPE

SAN JOSE CRACKDOWN — “Authorities announce arrests in large-scale catalytic converter theft operation,” by the Mercury News’ Robert Salonga and Eliyahu Kamisher.

BRACE YOURSELF — “ Biggest storm of the season expected in Southern California on Tuesday,” by the LA Times’ Jonah Valdez.

BERKELEY BAGEL — “The birth of a Boichik bagel,” by the SF Chronicle’s Elena Kadvany.

‘INVISIBLE’ IMMIGRANTS — “ Haitian family members risked their lives to make it to Oakland. They ended up homeless,” by the SF Chronicle’s Deepa Fernandes.

— “Former O.C. deputy accused of throwing scalding water on mentally ill inmate faces felony charges,” by the OC Register’s Sean Emery.

A message from Our Health California:

Access to quality health care is a right and not a privilege for some – a service for all.

Our Health California, a grassroots advocacy community of more than 1 million people, is dedicated to building a healthier society. We champion equitable access to affordable, high-quality health care because every Californian deserves to get the care they need, when they need it.

Our Health California connects health care supporters and patients to their state and federal lawmakers. Working together, as one powerful voice, we advance care in every community – including health to behavioral health – because patients across the Golden State deserve access to greater control of their health and their future.

Our work is supported by our state's hospitals, health systems, and the California Hospital Association.

Visit ourhealthcalifornia.org to learn more about issues Our Health California supports.

CALIFORNIA POLICY IS ALWAYS CHANGING: Know your next move. From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, POLITICO California Pro provides policy professionals with the in-depth reporting and tools they need to get ahead of policy trends and political developments shaping the Golden State. To learn more about the exclusive insight and analysis this -only service offers, click here.

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