On Feb. 16, San Mateo County followed the California state government order to relax mask mandates. Vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks in indoor or public spaces, but those who are unvaccinated must continue to wear their masks indoors. On March 12, California will also lift the mask mandate in K-12 schools, public transit, healthcare facilities, detention centers and senior care or childcare centers.
“People have been wanting to return to a more normal lifestyle by not having to put a mask on and stay home from work,” said San Mateo County District 2 Supervisor Carole Groom. “We are following the state, but we are encouraging people to continue wearing their masks.”
Groom executed the San Mateo County Health Officers’ decision to match California’s loosened mask protocols. The legislation was deemed safe, as 93% of the County population is vaccinated and the County is maintaining a low COVID-19 case rate.
“It can be unnerving for [those] at higher risk. Not everyone has the same level of protection”
“Throughout the pandemic, there [has been] a group of Bay Area Health Officers representing San Mateo County, San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Solano Napa and Santa Cruz counties,” said Deputy Chief of San Mateo County Health Srija Srinivasan. “[We] consult with each other regularly and many of our actions have been in concert. All of these counties, except for Santa Clara County, chose to align with the state decision.”
A few counties, such as Santa Clara County and Los Angeles County, proposed a later date to lift their mask requirements because they want to ensure lower COVID-19 case rates before changing the regulations.
“I’ve heard from residents who have let us, the County Health Department, know that they … preferred the mandate to be in place longer,” Srinivasan said. “I think it can be very unnerving for people who are at higher risk. Not everyone has the same level of protection by virtue of the nature of one’s job, living circumstance or health condition.”
Some downtown San Mateo workers also felt as if San Mateo County should have delayed its mask mandate termination.
“It would be better if we were still wearing masks because … [guests] might have an appointment for three or four hours and sit in a chair without a mask on and [employees] wouldn’t know about [their vaccination status],” said Y Salon & Spa receptionist Andrea Davila. “[However, the customers] who aren’t wearing a mask anymore are happier. They start having conversations and bring more friends, so we get more clients.”
Other downtown establishments also experienced an increase in patronage since businesses shut down in 2020.
“Our number [of visitors] differs depending on our new [movie] releases … and we’ve definitely seen more people,” said Century 12 assistant manager Kalley Wasson. “I’m not sure that the mask mandate being dropped had much of an impact because the majority of people who come into the theater still wear masks.”
The end of the school mask mandate is garnering mixed reactions from students.
“We’ve been wearing masks for almost two years … so it’ll be nice to see each others’ faces again”
“I don’t think the school should lift the mask mandate because it’s like etiquette for people to keep wearing masks … to protect other students,” said junior and Virology Club member Josh Lee.
However, junior and Virology Club member Evan Molloy recognizes the benefits of ending the mandate.
“We’ve been wearing masks for almost two years now so it’ll be nice to see each others’ faces again, especially since I think a lot of students don’t really care about [wearing masks] now because [the Omicron variant] is not as severe,” Molloy said.
Government and school administrations still suggest the use of masks despite the lifted mandate.
“The only thing that’s changed is that [masks are now] strongly recommended instead of required and we assume that the majority of our students and faculty will continue to mask,” said SMUHSD Health Services Manager Sara Devaney.
Most hope that California’s latest ordinance will end the cycle of strict safety instruction and dangerous COVID-19 surges. To achieve this, authorities are easing cautionary measures so residents can gradually and safely begin the return to pre-pandemic customs.
