EDITOR'S NOTE: Multimedia journalist Zarina Khairzada spoke with the director of the Center of the Study of Los Angeles at LMU about LA County not reinstating a mask mandate. Click the arrow above to watch the video.
LOS ANGELES — The weeks long rumblings about another masking mandate have, for now, resulted in a pause as the county’s top health official points to improving COVID-19 case rates.
A new sub variant of omicron had fueled a summer wave, worrying some that the upward trajectory could carry into the fall.
Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, has been worried about the rising rates, saying Tuesday that too many people are still dying. But her decision not to trigger a mandate shows confidence in the direction case rates are heading.
Swift backlash has fallen on Ferrer, who has been discussing the possibility of a new mandate for weeks. Business owners and politicians have feared a return a return could harm business, further disrupt education, or further inflame resentment toward the government.
Ferrer has used hospitalization numbers as a kind of weathervane to gauge death rates. As people head to the hospital less often, Ferrer expects fewer to succumb to the illness as well.
The decision on whether to implement a mask mandate looked like it could come down to a vote, in which two county supervisors publicly said they would not support another shutdown.
Supervisors Hahn and Barger were opposed.
“At this point, LA County Public Health is not mandating indoor masking. However, everyone should do what they need to do to protect themselves and others from getting this virus,” said 4th District Supervisor Hahn in a statement to Spectrum News 1.
While there has been a downward trend in cases leading to the pause on the mask mandate, fears remain that COVID-19 can quickly ramp up again. The virus, which has an ample reservoir in animals, has proven itself able to adapt. Even the latest subvariant, BA.5 is very different from other types of omicron, according to some experts. That means boosters already in the works for omicron need to be tested against the current strain before efficacy can be verified.
That’s of particular importance once winter arrives and most of the state spends more time indoors and the flu makes its annual return.
But for Hahn, the question was simple: would people actually do follow the order? Her determination was that people would leave the masks at home and the decision would only breed resentment.
Kathryn Barger, 5th district supervisor, agreed.
“I am pleased with the Department of Public Health’s decision to not reinstate an indoor masking mandate in our County,” she said in a statement. “Unenforceable mandates don’t work. We must continue to marshal our mandates and resources effectively in the fight against COVID-19.”
She went on to say the county needs to focus on promoting vaccines and boosters.
Hilda Solis, 1st district supervisor, issued a statement saying the county is in a better position that ever to weather the effects of the virus. But she issued a final word of support on behalf of Ferrer, who has been criticized by politicians and other public officials.
“Let me be clear — there is no place for the hateful rhetoric and threats that have been directed at our public health experts who have dedicated all their time and energy to keeping our County’s residents healthy and safe. While there may be disagreements, we must treat one another with dignity and respect, and I ask as always that our residents continue to look out for one another to keep our communities healthy and safe,” Solis said.