We did it. YOU did it. We're celebrating more than just a smart, sensible, timely decision on the part of local health officials to lean on voluntary masking and public education at this stage of the endemic. We're celebrating democracy at work.
Business leaders spoke up, journalists amplified our calls for a pragmatic approach to masking, and county officials listened.
We applaud and align with leaders who heard business voices, took the pulse of Angelenos at large, and carefully mapped the trajectory of coronavirus data before handing down their no-mandate verdict today. This is a decision-making framework that encourages us to keep rallying and raising our voices across all policy areas. LA County Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said she received a flood of emails from Angelenos with a mixed bag of concerns. We know the business community was responsible for thousands of those emails!
Masks are still required in indoor public transit areas in LA, including in taxis, rideshares, and airports. A countywide mandate could still be imposed in the future if cases tick back up.
We want to express our gratitude to Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn for understanding the moment and speaking out earlier this week about the ineffective nature of another mask mandate. We also want to recognize city leaders in Beverly Hills, Long Beach, Pasadena, and El Segundo for choosing NOT to waste precious city resources on enforcement if LA County had gone ahead with reinstating its mask mandate. This is what effective leadership looks like.
We encourage you to read Supervisor Barger's open letter to constituents. This is courageous, gold-standard advocacy messaging.
Here's a quick refresher on some recommended protocol for businesses and employers to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, shared by federal, state, and county health officials.
Together, we can shape policy and move mountains! Onward!