When coronavirus cases began to increase in California last month, Governor Gavin Newsom ordered people to wear masks when they were in public places.
But even as more Californians cover their faces as protection against COVID-19, compliance is spotty at best. Many law enforcement agencies say they plan to educate those who are without masks, but not issue fines.
However, as the outbreaks continue to worsen, some communities begin to promise more aggressive action against mockers. This week, Manhattan Beach became the last city to say it would fine people who don’t wear masks in public areas. Under the order, not wearing a face covering is subject to an administrative citation, with fines of $ 100 for the first violation, $ 200 for the second violation, and $ 350 each for thereafter.
“The drastic increase in positive COVID-19 cases in our city and throughout Los Angeles County has shown us that additional steps must be taken to make it clear to the public that facial coatings are essential at this time,” he said. Mayor Richard Montgomery this week. “The time for warnings is over. Face covers should be worn when you are away from home to prevent the spread of COVID-19 “.
Some other cities have taken similar steps, but have so far issued relatively few citations.
Captain Edward Ramirez of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station said Friday that officers “have issued a total of 12 citations to people without masks” in the city.
“That said, each person cited was provided with a mask for use by attached personnel,” he wrote in an email.
Beverly Hills spokesman Keith Sterling said a subpoena has been issued there.
“Our law enforcement officers and police officers have had hundreds of contacts with the public in the past few days and most have complied when informed of our face-covering rules,” he wrote in an email Friday.
Some law enforcement officials have refused to enforce the rules, saying they don’t see themselves as the mask police. But with Newsom’s state order, some of these agencies said they are doing the best they can.
In a statement last week, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said his department is taking a practical approach with the resources it has available.
“With limited exceptions, not wearing a face mask is a violation of the public health order, but it is not a practical application of a violation of criminal law,” Barnes wrote. “As many other industries are achieving compliance through an education-first approach, MPs will continue to educate the public on the state-wide face-covering requirement and request voluntary compliance.”
Experts say masks are essential when people go out to the public, like shopping or going to medical appointments, and when they are around other people on the beach or in the park.
The pleas to wear masks come as California marked a grim week in both coronavirus case numbers and hospitalizations.
Los Angeles County public health officials on Thursday reported more than 4,500 new cases of coronavirus, breaking the record for the highest single-day increase in new infections.
“If you do the math, it is easy to see why the alarm,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of health for Los Angeles County, in a statement.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti reported 2,885 new cases and 62 deaths on Friday, for a total of 150,319 confirmed positive cases and 4,047 deaths, coinciding with the county’s expectation of exceeding 4,000 deaths by the end of the week. .
“The simple truth of this fight is that this virus affects more and more of us every day,” Garcetti said in a briefing on Friday night.
