California introduces strict COVID-19 Thanksgiving restrictions
California Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Health have issued a series of guidelines on how to celebrate Thanksgiving Day amid the coronavirus pandemic -- with such strict guidelines including wearing a mask at the dinner table.
"Gatherings are defined as social situations that bring together people from different households at the same time in a single space or place. When people from different households mix, this increases the risk of transmission of COVID-19," the CDPH wrote.
Among the stringent new regulations are is the imposition of a three-household limit, including hosts and guests, and all activities must be held outdoors lasting two hours or less, according to Newsweek.
“The longer the duration [of the gathering], the risk of transmission increases,” the statement read. “Gatherings that occur outdoors are significantly safer than indoor gatherings. All gatherings must be held outside. Attendees may go inside to use restrooms as long as the restrooms are frequently sanitized.”
As highlighted by journalist Megyn Kelly, who described Gov. Newsom’s edict as “insanity,” the safety regulations include forcing all celebratory activities to be held outside, guests may only use bathrooms inside if sanitized, and masks must stay on while not eating. It is unclear how the state intends to enforce these laws.
The rules state that anyone attending a Thanksgiving gathering may only “remove their face coverings briefly to eat or drink as long as they stay at least 6 feet away from everyone outside their own household, and put their face covering back on as soon as they are done with the activity.”
The rules also “strongly discourage” activities like singing and chanting as they “pose a very high risk of COVID-19 transmission.” Those who still intend to sing or chant may only “do so quietly (at or below the volume of a normal speaking voice)” while wearing a mask—and at a distance of six feet from others. Musicians who play at gatherings are also “strongly discouraged” from playing any mouth-based instruments like trumpets or flutes.
The guidelines allow for the use of inhalers or the consumption of medication or if the mask-wearer experiences lightheadedness.
“If these Thanksgiving regulations ordered by [Gavin Newsom] were leaked this summer they would have been flagged as QAnon conspiracy theories,” wrote entrepreneur Alexander Muse. “Nope, they’re real. Californians live in an authoritarian police state. Careful or you’ll embolden Antifa and swell their ranks in CA.”
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