California Gov. Gavin Newsom holds a vial of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Newsom recommend Thursday that Californians wear two masks to further slow the spread of the virus.
SACRAMENTO — New state health guidelines announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday recommend that Californians wear two cloth masks or one filtered mask when going out in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
That’s a more rigorous safety precaution than the Newsom administration announced in June when it handed down a statewide order directing people to wear face coverings in indoor public settings.
“We are encouraging people basically to double down on mask wearing, particularly in light of all what I would argue is bad information coming from at least four states in this country. We will not be walking down their path, we’re mindful of your health and our future,” Newsom said.
The new guidelines apply to cloth masks, not masks with filters, Newsom said.
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The remarks come as the governors of several states, including Texas and Mississippi, announced that they were lifting, or planned to lift soon, mandates to wear a mask in public to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Newsom has been critical of that approach, calling it “absolutely reckless” in a tweet sent Tuesday afternoon.
Infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci has recommended wearing two cloth masks since at least January, saying on NBC’s Today that doubling up reduces the risk of virus spread, including against variant strains of the coronavirus.
“It just makes common sense that it would be more effective,” he said at the time.
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PHOTOS: NAPA VALLEY COLLEGE DURING COVID-19 — WHO’S ON CAMPUS?
Photos: Napa Valley College during COVID-19 — Who's on campus?
Napa Valley College during COVID-19
Matthew Eggers and instructor Stan Hitchcock work on a project at Napa Valley College's machine tool technology program. It's one of the few college programs that are meeting in person during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Napa Valley College during COVID-19
Sam Devine is a Napa Valley College student learning welding. The welding program is one the few college programs that are meeting in person during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Napa Valley College during COVID-19
Napa Valley College nursing students Teresa Howell (left) and Kayleigh Rogerson meet their “patient” in a hospital room simulation on campus. The nursing program is one only a few college programs that are meeting in person during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Napa Valley College during COVID-19
Christina Robles studies a project at the NVC Machine Tool Technology program.
Napa Valley College during COVID-19
Signage alerts those on the Napa Valley College campus during COVID-19.
Napa Valley College during COVID-19
Inside Napa Valley College during COVID-19.
Napa Valley College during COVID-19
Small groups of students meet for nursing classes at NVC during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Napa Valley College during COVID-19
Napa Valley College nursing students Teresa Howell (right) and Kayleigh Rogerson get ready to meet their “patient” in a hospital room simulation on campus. The nursing program is one only a few college programs that are meeting in person during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Napa Valley College during COVID-19
Nursing students study a "patient" at NVC during COVID-19.
Napa Valley College during COVID-19
The Napa Valley College campus during COVID-19 is quiet and mostly empty.
Napa Valley College during COVID-19
An empty gathering space and Napa Valley College during COVID-19.
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