OC Board of Supervisors Andrew Do and Don Wagner Call on CA to Lift Mask Mandate

California Should Start Following the Science per the CDC and the White House

(Santa Ana, CA) – Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Andrew Do, First District, and Donald P. Wagner, Third District, urge the State to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and lift the mask mandate for all individuals who have been fully vaccinated.

Last week, the CDC stated vaccinated people can resume all activities without having to wear masks or exercise physical distancing. The policy change was also recognized by President Joe Biden, based on science-based public health measures and data surrounding the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and their ability to limit the spread of the virus. Both County Supervisors agree that California should begin following that science.

“Orange County has been ahead of the curve throughout the pandemic,” said Chairman Do. “Early in the crisis, Orange County responded promptly and effectively. We were among the first to declare a local health emergency in the early days of COVID-19 on February 26, 2020. In late March of 2020, I began to advise our residents to wear face coverings, exercise social distancing, and wash their hands often. Today, our vaccination rates are better than surrounding counties.”

“This is a testament to the people of Orange County,” Supervisor Do continued. “They have acted responsibly since the pandemic hit to protect themselves, their families, and the wider community. The Board has similarly acted responsibly, directing health resources to some of our hardest-hit neighborhoods, especially in my District. That hard work has paid off. Now, the State must follow the science and recognize Orange County’s success by lifting the mask mandate for residents who have followed the government’s advice and got vaccinated.”

“I join with Chairman Do,” said Supervisor Wagner, “in his call to follow the CDC’s guidelines and lift the mask mandate. The State has failed almost since the start of COVID to respond appropriately to the disease. It shut down schools to our children’s detriment, and almost all areas of life, rather than focus its efforts on our most at-risk citizens. Meanwhile, the Board of Supervisors worked hard to ensure hundreds of millions of dollars went towards securing PPEs for hospitals and to help struggling small businesses survive. It is past time for the State to look to science and relieve unnecessary restrictions. Relief from the state-wide mask mandate gives people one more reason to get vaccinated.”

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