State officials from Governor Gavin Newsom’s team have announced that California will end its COVID-19 state of emergency orders on February 28, 2023. However, many health officials and lawmakers warn of the potential dangers of the persistent virus. At the same time, many business leaders want the mandates to end. Here are important points shaping the statewide pandemic mandate debate leading up to its conclusion.
Why COVID Mandates Are Controversial
Mandates for wearing masks, getting vaccinated, and stay-at-home orders have helped reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the state. At the same time, it has raised serious issues for small businesses, stunting their growth.
Newsom has stated, “The state of emergency was an effective and necessary tool that we utilized to protect our state, and we wouldn’t have gotten to this point without it.” He added that the state is “ready to phase out this tool.” However, during the pandemic, the governor has extended statewide mandates five times, with the most recent one issued in June.
State of emergency powers gave the governor enormous authority while the state accumulated nearly $12 billion worth of no-bid contracts with companies that were supposedly in positions to offer solutions. These funds were used to pay for coronavirus testing centers, medical equipment suppliers, and temp agencies. Some medical facilities benefited from the contracts, as it has improved telehealth technology.
Nonetheless, political critics complain that some of these state contracts went to inexperienced vendors who took the money without delivering services. Republican leaders in the state are concerned the mandate has gone on too long, but Democrats have majority control in the legislature. In March 2022, a committee voted 8-4 along party lines to maintain the state of emergency.
Hospitals Ask for Flexibility
The California Hospital Association and frontline health workers have requested more flexibility in state executive orders to allow for a larger workforce. An understated issue intertwined in this controversy is the degree of burnout among healthcare workers. There’s already a shortage across the state and nation of nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Flexibility in the state mandates has allowed healthcare organizations to hire thousands of workers from outside the state. Another looming problem on the horizon is that several hospitals in the state are warning of financial collapse.
What’s Next for California’s Public Health Policy?
California’s stay-at-home orders lasted intermittently over 10 months. However, there are still 27 executive order provisions that remain in place. State officials predict that minimal impact will occur once these provisions are rolled back.
Meanwhile, the federal government has extended its public health emergency policy through January 11, 2023. Federal officials say they’ll give states a 60-day notice before the national emergency order is terminated.
Closing Thoughts
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