California Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday described the new pandemic plan he released last week as a “more sensible and sustainable” approach that would move the state out of “crisis mode” as Omicron cases had dropped significantly and many residents were eager to move on.
His comments about MSNBC followed an announcement last week by state officials of a “next phase” plan, which would prioritize strategies such as coronavirus vaccination and stockpiling, while easing emergency measures such as mask mandates.
“A year and a half, two years ago, we had a war metaphor and we hoped that one day there would be a World War II-style ticker tape parade,” Governor Newsom said. “In the end, though, I think we’re realizing that we’re going to have to live with different variants and this disease for many, many years to come. And that’s what this plan does, it sets a course to do it sustainably.”
The Omicron variant caused a huge wave in California. Although the state has seen a sharp drop in known infections since mid-January, new cases still fluctuate at more than 13,000 a day. All in all, the coronavirus has infected at least 1 in 5 Californians and killed more than 84,000 people during the pandemic, according to a DailyExpertNews database.
California is one of several states to have relaxed masking requirements in recent weeks, with Hawaii being the last state to stick to a statewide mandate. Puerto Rico is also yet to announce upcoming changes.
But federal health officials have yet to release new recommendations reflecting the lifting of restrictions — including mask mandates in schools — in nearly every state, and the US’s path into the next phase remains complicated.
dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last week cited the need to “stay vigilant” so that infections continue their promising decline across the country. She said the CDC would soon release new “relevant” guidelines that would suggest adjusting restrictions, including on mask wear, based on factors such as hospital capacity, not just the number of cases.
Despite rollbacks across the country, many people remain extremely vulnerable and feel left behind by the changes. More than seven million adults in the United States are considered immunocompromised, meaning they have illnesses or are receiving treatments such as chemotherapy that reduce their ability to fight coronavirus infections or respond well to vaccines. And tens of millions have other conditions that put them at greater risk of serious illness or death.
California’s new plan emphasizes surveillance and preparedness, focusing on continuing to promote vaccines and medical stockpiles, ensure strong workforces, fight disinformation, and increase wastewater and genomic tracking to discover new variants. Under the plan, mask requirements could be changed based on the severity and volume of new infections.
In his comments on MSNBC, Mr. Newsom acknowledged the fatigue people feel because of the “whiplash” component of changing rules and policies depending on each wave or wave. ‘We are exhausted. Everyone is exhausted. And at the same time we are also a little nervous. What does the future hold?” he said.
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California’s new policy was based on a two-month review of best practices around the world, Mr. Newsom said. But he stressed the need to be “humble” in the face of a virus that could continue to mutate in unexpected ways.
Speaking to DailyExpertNews on Sunday, Colorado Governor Jared Polis also highlighted the uncertainty of what could be just around the corner, even as he lifted mask mandates and other restrictions last summer. When asked why more governors are doing this now, he emphasized the protection now provided by booster shots, which dramatically reduce the risk of serious illness.
California and Colorado have reported a fully vaccinated rate of about 70 percent; about 92 percent of Colorado residents age 65 and older are fully vaccinated, compared with 89 percent in California.
“I think it is important that we prepare for an uncertain future,” said Governor Polis. “And I think a lot of states are doing that. I hope the federal government is too.”
