California: High and Mighty

As we approach the 9th month of quarantine, it doesn’t look like things are going to improve anytime soon. We’re seeing an uptick in COVID cases all across the United States, and with those cases come the lockdowns. Of these lockdowns, California, the most populous state in the country, has some of the strictest rules of all. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom said last week that he is pulling the “emergency brake” on the reopening of California, and set 94% of Californians to face the strictest set of rules that close indoor churches, indoor dining, and gyms, along with most other indoor businesses. Newsom has also said that he is keeping schools closed, however malls are allowed to operate at 25% capacity, which raises some questions regarding the valuation of education. 

With this re-lockdown of the state comes cries from business owners who are forced, once again, to close, even after following all the state guidelines to get their business opened. Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state secretary of health, has said that research shows business have been sources of virus transmission. However, Brad Pollock, the associate dean of public health sciences at UC Davis, said that “ the jury is still out” on whether the closing down of businesses will actually help stop the spread. Most business owners argue that a clean and sanitary restaurant is safer than a friend’s living room, and yet, millions of employees across the state are once again unemployed. 

Newsom seems to agree with that argument, as he and his wife were caught attending a friend’s birthday party with “dozens” of friends at the ritzy French Laundry restaurant in the wine country north of San Francisco. This news came shortly after many California Legislators went to Hawaii to attend a “political conference”, even in the wake of a new travel policy that “urges residents to avoid non-essential travel.” Newsom was upfront in his apology and said that he’s concerned that he “may” have undermined his own message. 

This is all following the August scandal where Speaker of the House, and Californian, Nancy Pelosi was caught on video getting her hair done, without a mask, during a time period where hair salons were forbidden to operate in the city of San Francisco. Many were outraged by this news and claims of a “double-standard” became a common cry. Pelosi, however, claimed that she was the victim of a “politically motivated set-up” and lashed out at the owner of the salon who let her come in. A spokesperson of Pelosi claimed ignorance and said that “The Speaker complied with the rules as presented to her by this establishment.” Pelosi also came out herself to retort the footage that was leaked where she is seen without a mask on: 

“I just had my hair washed. I don’t wear a mask when I’m washing my hair. Do you wear a mask when you’re washing your hair? I always have a mask. For me, for the people I’m encountering, but for my family as well. But I don’t wear it when I’m getting my hair washed, and that picture was when I just came out of the bowl, getting my hair washed.”

Pelosi was then asked whether or not she thinks she should apologize to the industry workers who are currently unemployed because of actions like hers, responding, “Well I don’t. I think that this salon owes me an apology for setting [me] up.” Pelosi again claimed that she didn’t know about the ban on salons, although famous comedian and podcaster, Joe Rogan, hit back saying, “I don’t even have hair and I know that salons are closed.”

California has released a new gatherings policy in-time for the holiday season which has also been controversial, prohibiting gatherings of more than 3 households, requiring the recording of names and contact information of everyone present so contact tracing is possible, and “strongly discouraging” singing, chanting and shouting. Many residents feel this is an infringement on their rights and freedom as a citizen, following in the wake of many lawsuits against Gavin Newsom being filed and ruled, with one even ruling against Newsom, over the reach of a Governor’s executive power.

With all of the hypocrisy in politics, on both sides, and in life, I think it is important to keep in mind a quote from the former first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, “It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.”