Newsom’s new mask recommendation

SOCIALLY DISTANCED: restaurants following new safety guidelines are open to limited indoor seating. Kelly White/US Air Force Photo 

By Grace Parry | Writer

October 13, 2020

Now that restaurants have been open for outdoor seating for several months and limited indoor seating for a couple of weeks, most people know the drill: show up with a mask on, leave it on while ordering, take it off to eat, put it back on once you are finished–easy. Now, however, the drill has changed due to a new recommendation from Governor Newsom’s Office.

TWITTER POST: Newsom asks citizens to wear a mask in between bites. Twitter

For children under two years of age and those with medical exemptions, masks are not necessary, but wearing masks in public spaces is required for everyone else, only to be removed when eating or drinking. In a tweet on October third, Newsom said, “Going out to eat with members of your household this weekend? Don’t forget to keep your mask on in between bites.”

Many are wondering if this is going to become a new rule or stay as a recommendation. “I understand that we are trying to be cautious, but wearing a mask between bites of food is a little bit excessive and tedious,” sophomore Marina Retziperis said, and many would agree.

Putting on and taking off a mask between bites makes the time you spend eating significantly longer than one would expect, and it can make your masks dirty. It may be more sanitary and slow the spread of the virus the less time you spend with your hands near or touching your face.

“I’m all for wearing masks, but I think that’s a little too much. It would be better if the customers are just seated away from each other,” junior Retaj Ridha said.

Governor Newsom is currently being heavily criticized for this tweet by the media, both for the validity of this suggestion and for its lack of clarity. It is unknown if this will remain a recommendation guideline, or become more.

Whether this is an elaborate way of making it harder to go out in public or a real recommendation by the governor, new guidelines are being put in place often, and everyone should keep themselves updated on current regulations to keep themselves and their loved ones safe from Covid-19.

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