As requested by Mendocino County Public Health Officer Dr. Andy Coren, the Board of Supervisors has approved a universal masking mandate that will require mouth and nose to be covered in all indoor settings throughout the county. This request comes in the wake of a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.
Along with universal masking, the board approved requests from Dr. Coren mandating that firefighters, emergency responders, and law enforcement are either vaccinated or are tested multiple times/week.
In a similar vein, Dr. Coren requested that the Board of Supervisors direct the County of Mendocino Human Resources to institute a vaccine requirement for all employees or regular testing to any that are unvaccinated.
Along with these requests, Dr. Coren said violations of the masking mandate could result in infractions or administrative citations with an emphasis on education rather than punitive results.
Dr. Coren feared, “The true consequence of our failing this is the possibility of again having to close schools, recreation, and business as well as seeing increased illness and death.”
Outlining the conditions that have led to the reinstitution of masking mandates, Dr. Coren said Mendocino County is in the midst of a surge rivaling the “same level of impact” as last winter.
Specifically, from May-June, the county’s average cases were 3 to 6 per day, in July that number rose to 14.6 perday, and just last week the average daily case rate was 21.4 per day.
Dr. Coren delineated the rise in COVID-19 cases pointing towards the unvaccinated population as the primary group affected by the surge saying recent cases amongst the unvaccinated are seven times more than cases in the vaccinated population.
The need for universal masking is justified due to recent discoveries of the Delta Variant being as contagious as chickenpox and can be passed to others by vaccinated people.
Every single member of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors approved Dr. Coren’s recommendations. 1st District Supervisor Glen McGourty said the institution of masking mandates and vaccine testing requirements are “really important for us to go forward.
2nd District Supervisor Mo Mulheren expressed concern that the Mendocino County Public was unable to provide comment on Dr. Coren’s recommendations. She said she was “caught off guard” by the recommendations and while fully understanding the need for his requests thought, “there wasn’t much opportunity for public outreach.”
According to a slide presented by Dr. Coren, universal masking will go into effect on August 10, 2021, and the vaccine/testing requirement for first responders will take effect on September 1, 2021.
UPDATE 5:13 p.m.: The following is a press release issued by Mendocino County Public Health regarding Dr. Coren’s guidance:
Dr. Andy Coren, Mendocino County’s Public Health Officer, gave a presentation to the Board of Supervisors today which he asked the Board of Supervisors for their support combating the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus in Mendocino County. Dr. Coren proposed the Health Orders and Guidance as follows:
- ORDER: Resuming universal masking indoors in public settings for both the vaccinated and unvaccinated (August 10st).
- ORDER: Extending California Department of Public Health’s Vaccinate or Test Policy to include Mendocino County Fire, EMS and Law Enforcement (September 1st).
- GUIDANCE: That employers implement a Vax or Test Policy for their employees; that Mendocino County Board of Supervisors act as a health leader and direct Human Resources to develop and implement that policy for its County employees.
Dr. Coren and Mendocino County Counsel are currently in the process of drafting these orders, official Health Orders will follow.
After discussion, the Board of Supervisors directed Human Resources to implement Dr. Coren’s Vax or Test Policy. After the specifics are defined, County employees who are not vaccinated will be required to take a COVID test at regular intervals.
Mendocino County Lodging Owners and Operators voiced their support:
“Our community businesses cannot sustain another shutdown so please take preemptive action now” For the complete statement and a recording of the presentation follow this link: HERE
YEA!
If it’s so crucial to wear a mask how come the commies are waiting till 8/10 to do it ? ?
Are you a doctor? Are you a god? If not, who are you to have an opinion on this? Don’t think, just obey! Doubleplusgood!
We have met the enemy, and it is us. Good golly.
The virus is SO dangerous that it is willing to wait days or weeks for these “essential” mandates and recommendations to be implemented.
IF masks are so effective, the order should have been made to be in effect immediately.
This is all “safety” theater. The end goal is becoming clearer and clearer, and it’s not about our health.
Government Tyranny!!!