Huntington Beach, a city in California, recently made headlines for its council’s decision to ban mask and COVID vaccine mandates. This move comes as concerns rise about a potential “tripledemic,” with the virus, flu, and RSV all on the rise. The majority Republican mayor and city council were behind the ban, which passed by a narrow 4-3 party line vote.
Mayor Pro Tem Gracey Van Der Mark took center stage as she introduced the bill to a large crowd of both supporters and detractors. Proudly stating that Huntington Beach is now a “no-mask, no-vaccine mandate city,” Van Der Mark emphasized the importance of personal freedom. However, those who have tested positive for COVID will still be required to wear masks in certain settings.
In expressing her support for private businesses, Van Der Mark made it clear that establishments should have the right to implement their own mask and vaccine policies. She firmly believed that this should not be imposed on every citizen. This decision drew criticism from Councilman Dan Kalmick, a Democrat, who argued that there was no need for the ban as there were no imminent new mandates.
Interestingly, the council also considered a proposal to ban LGBTQ+ Pride flags, as well as all flags except for the national, state, city, and POW flags, from public buildings. However, this amendment was ultimately tabled. Protesters responded by placing a large pride flag on the steps in front of the building.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned healthcare professionals about the increasing rates of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Florida and Georgia, signaling the start of the respiratory virus season. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also advised healthcare workers to prepare for a potential “tripledemic” of RSV, flu, and COVID-19 cases this winter.
On a national level, President Joe Biden’s wife, Jill Biden, tested positive for COVID for the second time, prompting multiple rounds of tests on the President. Despite the negative test results, as a precaution, the President wore a face mask for the first time in months during his duties at the White House. This gesture reflects the fatigue Americans feel towards wearing masks due to COVID.
While COVID cases are on the rise again, it is important to note that the virus is no longer as deadly as it once was. Hospital admissions are significantly lower compared to the peak in January 2022, and deaths have decreased by about 40 times since the peak in late 2020. Many doctors now compare COVID to the common cold or the flu, acknowledging that it can be disruptive and deadly for vulnerable groups but generally does not cause serious illness in the majority of people.
This shift from a deadly threat to a manageable seasonal illness is attributed to high levels of immunity from infection or vaccination, as well as the availability of effective therapies and drugs. In fact, the federal government declared the pandemic over in May 2021 and ended the public health emergency, lifting the legal requirements for masking, testing, isolation, and vaccination.
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