Embattled California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state’s new mask mandate – which will not be enforced by any law enforcement – is designed to protect people from the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which Newsom says is disproportionately affecting vaccinated people.
Earlier this week, Newsom was asked why he was reinstating a politically divisive face mask mandate, but then taking the even more controversial step of refusing to enforce it.
“I have more faith in you do in the capacity of people to do the right thing,” Newsom began.
He added that he believes face masks are necessary once again because the controversial COVID-19 vaccines have been powerless to stop the Omicron variant thus far.
“The omicron in particular is of concern because we know the transmissability is much higher, the severity may not be as acute,” said Newsom.
“But we’re seeing it disproportionate.”
“In 48 cases in California we’ve identified, the vast majority, the overwhelming majority, have been fully vaccinated,” he added, “And that’s why masking becomes even more important in this environment.”
Today, @GavinNewsom explained the recent mask mandate (that won't be enforced) is because, of the 48 Omicron cases identified in CA, "the overwhelming majority have been fully vaccinated. That's why masking becomes even more important in this environment." pic.twitter.com/UOZhcvlsZA
— Jonathan Zachreson (@JZachreson) December 16, 2021
The California governor recently raised eyebrows after he disappeared from the public view for an extended period after he successfully defeated an attempt to recall his governorship ahead of next year’s elections.
Virtually everyone with any authority has said that the Omicron variant is very mild. There have been no reported deaths from the Omicron variant in the United States.
Newsom, however, is far from the first to note that the Omicron variant appears to be disproportionately infecting vaccinated individuals.
The CDC recently admitted that the Omicron variant is surging hardest in the United States in both New York and New Jersey, two of the most vaccinated states.
Additionally, the CDC recently reported that 80% of Omicron variant cases were reported in vaccinated individuals.
The phenomenon first began to be reported soon after the Omicron variant surfaced in South Africa, when 7 German travelers who were triple vaccinated – having received the initial two shots plus a booster – all were diagnosed with the Omicron variant upon their return.
More recently, at least three BuzzFeed staffers – again, all triple vaccinated – were recently diagnosed with COVID-19 after the company’s holiday party.
Still, Democrats have claimed that more vaccines are the only solution to the new variant.
Joe Biden made this claim almost immediately after the news of the variant broke, and his Chief of Staff Ron Klain doubled down by insinuating that boosters would prevent the virus.
Both Democrats have seemingly been proven wrong thus far.
However, this has not stopped major pharmaceutical companies from entertaining the same train of thought. Recently, the BioNTech CEO claimed that another three shots would stop the Omicron variant, potentially changing the definition of “fully vaccinated” to six shots total.