California Gov. Gavin Newsom hasn’t altered his state’s plans for reopening during the coronavirus pandemic despite seeing record-setting numbers of COVID-19 cases in the state, Politico reports.
“It seems once business began to reopen and activities began to resume, many people in our county began acting as if everything is going back to normal,” said Stanislaus County Supervisor Kristin Olsen, whose county was just added to a “watch list” of regions having trouble managing the coronavirus. “Instead of going to a restaurant with their family, they cater a party in their backyard. That has led to our increased numbers.”
“As long as we're attacking these issues together and as long as we start to see more and more compliance with our mask mandate, then I think we can move forward more safely and work our way through this without having to toggle back,” Newsom said this week.
Although Texas and Florida, which have both seen skyrocketing coronavirus cases in the past week, have ordered bars to close, California has yet to issue a similar order despite being one of the first states to order a lockdown when the pandemic began. Newsom has defended his lack of action by noting that hospitals are well-below capacity. He has also encouraged Californians to wear masks when in public.
"Wear a mask. Please, do so, not only for yourself, but for others," Newsom said during a Wednesday morning press conference. "And let us do so in the spirit of our higher angels and in the spirit that defines the best of our state."
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.