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Good morning, California. It’s Monday, February 14. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Newsom, legislators square off
As the omicron wave recedes, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic lawmakers’ plans for dealing with COVID-19 appear to be on a collision course.
On the one hand, Newsom’s administration as soon as today could unveil portions of its strategy for treating COVID like any other virus, including by possibly lifting the statewide school mask mandate.
- Newsom in a Friday interview with NBC Bay Area: “We are in the process of transforming our public education system and moving out of this pandemic mindset. And that includes the masks — and that will happen. Question is when.”
- The governor last week also suggested that he would be ready to roll back the mandate if it weren’t for teachers unions: “They just asked for a little bit more time, and I think that’s responsible, and I respect that. But we are also in a date with destiny,” Newsom said.
Still, pressure is mounting on the governor to make an announcement — and fast. California’s statewide mask mandate for indoor businesses is set to expire for vaccinated residents after…
