(TheConservativeTimes.org) – California’s Bay Area is once again trampling on personal freedoms with the return of mask mandates in healthcare settings.
Starting November 1, 2024, several counties will force healthcare workers to mask up, with some even requiring patients and visitors to comply.
The new mask mandates are being implemented in Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo and Napa counties and will last until March 31 or April 30, 2025, depending on the county.
Officials claim the measures aim to prevent the spread of flu, COVID-19 and other seasonal illnesses.
However, critics argue this is another example of government overreach in the deep-blue state.
The mandates mainly target healthcare workers in various settings, including hospitals, psychiatric facilities, skilled nursing facilities, dialysis centers and infusion centers.
Santa Clara County takes it a step further by requiring all individuals in patient care areas to wear masks, with limited exceptions for young children and certain medical conditions.
“Mask mandates are making a comeback in California,” said Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA), who faces a challenge from Democrat Jessica Morse. “My opponent, a Newsom staffer, supports toddler masking.”
“America’s leading masker of 2-year-olds, Xavier Becerra, is plotting a run for governor. We must elect the right people to assure history doesn’t repeat itself,” Kiley added.
It is worth noting that California previously had the third-longest COVID-19 mask mandate in the U.S., ending on March 1, after Hawaii and Washington.
This history of extended restrictions raises concerns about the potential for broader mandates in the future despite officials claiming the current measures are limited to healthcare settings.
While some counties, such as San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma, have not issued mask mandates for this season, the patchwork of regulations across the Bay Area creates confusion and inconsistency.
For critics, these mask mandates serve as a reminder that the looming election is a fight for personal liberty, even in healthcare settings.
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