Huntington Beach City Council Votes to Ban Masks and COVID Vaccine Mandates
The city council of Huntington Beach, California has made the decision to ban mask and COVID vaccine mandates, citing concerns over a potential “tripledemic” as cases of the virus increase along with flu and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). The council, which is predominantly Republican, pushed for and voted in favor of the ban. Mayor Pro Tem Gracey Van Der Mark introduced the bill to a large crowd, with 116 individuals signed up to provide public comment. The measure passed with a 4-3 party line vote, officially declaring Huntington Beach a “no-mask, no-vaccine mandate city.”
However, there is an exception to the ban for individuals who have tested positive for COVID. They will still be required to wear masks in certain settings. Van Der Mark expressed her belief that the government had unfairly restricted the freedoms of the city’s residents, even those who had not been in contact with anyone who tested positive for the virus. She also emphasized that private businesses would still have the freedom to implement their own mask and vaccine policies.
Huntington Beach’s decision comes at a time when COVID cases and hospitalizations are on the rise in nearby Los Angeles County. Councilman Dan Kalmick, a Democrat, argued that the ban was unnecessary, as there was no imminent threat of new mandates. He suggested that the move was a political maneuver by the council members to gain support for their unpopular positions.
In addition to the mask and vaccine mandates, the council briefly discussed a proposal to ban all flags except for the national, state, city, and POW flags from public buildings. This included LGBTQ+ Pride flags, which were previously not allowed to be flown on city property in honor of Pride Month. Protesters responded by placing a giant pride flag on the steps of the building.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued warnings about rising rates of RSV in Florida and Georgia, signaling the start of the respiratory virus season. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also advised healthcare workers to prepare for a potential “tripledemic” of RSV, flu, and COVID-19 cases in the upcoming winter.
Jill Biden, the First Lady, tested positive for COVID for the second time, prompting additional testing for President Joe Biden, who has consistently tested negative. As a precaution, the president wore a face mask at the White House, highlighting the fatigue that many Americans feel regarding mask-wearing. While COVID cases are increasing again, it is important to note that hospital admissions and deaths related to the virus remain significantly lower than previous peaks. Many doctors now compare COVID to the common cold or flu, recognizing that while it is still a serious concern for vulnerable populations, it generally does not cause severe illness in most individuals.
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