“Our last option was to carry out the execution by issuing an Administrative Summons, but the health risk to the community is too great,” said Capt. Edward Ramirez of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood station.
The fine in West Hollywood is $ 250 plus a $ 50 fee, and that’s only for the first offense.
In Santa Monica, residents could be fined $ 100 if they don’t wear a mask or fail to comply with social distancing (or keep at least six feet away from others). The second and third violations would result in fines of $ 250 and $ 500 respectively, and companies that break the mask or social distancing mandates could receive up to $ 1,000 in fines.
“Face coatings are essential,” said Acting Santa Monica City Manager Lane Dilg in a statement. “I encourage everyone to try different styles to find what works for you. But it is a critical time to save lives by wearing face shields whenever we are out of our homes and do not meet with people outside of our homes.”
Beverly Hills was the first to issue the mask mandate in April, before Governor Newsom’s mandate. In mid-June, Newsom forced Californians to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, healthcare facilities, and other areas where social estrangement is not possible, such as on public transportation.
Requiring masks has not worked well in all parts of the state. Orange County in Southern California revised its guidance on masks in June after the former county health official was threatened with violence for imposing masks. The health officer finally resigned, and the masks are “highly recommended.”
But now that coronavirus cases are emerging in more than half of US states, after its reopening, politicians are changing their tune about the masks. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott this week signed an order requiring residents of counties with 20 or more Covid-19 cases to wear masks with limited exceptions. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who fueled the controversy when he announced that the state would reopen in late April, encouraged residents to wear masks and social distance, though he did not require it by law.
Even Trump administration officials, who have sometimes been incredulous of the effectiveness of the masks, have shown silent support for covering their faces, even if they have not worn masks. Vice President Mike Pence, in an appearance this week with Abbott, said “wearing a mask is a good idea,” and President Donald Trump even said he “would have no problem” wearing a mask in certain situations, a gentle twist on his Months refusal to wear masks in public, although he said he still believes the coronavirus “will go away.”
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