California has long been known for its counter-culture, its zaniness, its “otherness.” But in recent decades, that reputation has grown sinister; it’s no longer about The Beach Boys, surfing culture, “Beverly Hills Cop,” or even The Eagles. For the last 15 years or so, give or take, it’s become more about hard-core left-wing politics, societal decline, socialism, and during the COVID years, even totalitarianism as the power structure in the Golden State enacted the most freedom-stripping measures of virtually any state.

Now, unsurprisingly, the state’s brain trust seems to be in some sort of schizophrenic blender, because even as Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning law enforcement from wearing masks, a wine country county is demanding that you slap on your N95 again.

A county in California wine country is beefing up its vaccine recommendations and instituting a mask mandate, citing “greater risk” of contracting COVID-19 amid the start of the annual flu season.

The Sonoma County Department of Public Health’s Interim Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith issued an order Monday requiring anyone entering certain healthcare facilities in the county to wear a mask. Facilities subject to the order include skilled nursing facilities, portions of long-term care facilities where nursing care is provided, acute and non-acute rehabilitation facilities, infusion centers, and dialysis centers, according to the order.

You can almost feel the slow mission creep in your bones. Let’s take a look at some more of their plans (emphasis mine):

The mask mandate will run from Nov. 1 until March 31, 2026, and the order states that Smith can expand the type of facilities subject to it on an as-needed basis. [We’ve seen this game before in California.] Additionally, the requirement will be put in place annually unless otherwise rescinded.

“Annually unless otherwise rescinded.” Oh really? Don’t you get the feeling that was part of the plan all along—and they’ll be trying to expand requirements for as long as possible as soon as they see an opportunity? Masks equal virtue, don’t you see.

What a happy graphic! Shots and N95s  are awesome, aren’t they?

Sonoma County is taking steps to protect vulnerable residents this fall and winter.😷
Starting Nov. 1 through March 31, 2026, masks will be required in patient care areas of certain health care facilities, including skilled nursing and dialysis centers. pic.twitter.com/7Akn8Q7QTK

— County of Sonoma (@CountyofSonoma) October 7, 2025

Maybe we can soon return to the days of this kind of idiocy:

This makes perfect sense. A Sonoma county high-school marching band adequately spaced outside in masks while the adult spectators are close together and unmasked. pic.twitter.com/JoO7CzRfrp

— Reopen California Schools (@ReopenCASchools) September 20, 2021

How does any of this square with Newsom’s “unmasking law enforcement” bill? They’re not saying.

GOING UP ON THE DOWN ELEVATOR: 
US Atty. Essayli Throws Down Gauntlet, Tells CA to Think Twice Before Enforcing ‘No Masks for ICE’ Law

DHS Tells Gavin Newsom, California What They Can Do With Their ‘Unconstitutional’ ICE Mask Ban

The Trump administration has said that Newsom’s unmasking law is unconstitutional, and they’ve dared him to enforce it. The obvious question now, though, after Sonoma County’s new regulations, is why wouldn’t some resourceful officer say he was concerned about COVID and needed to mask up? Make him/her take it off, and the lawsuits could be endless.

“What are you afraid of?” the elaborately coiffed governor asked agents who wore masks. Well, it seems now the answer could be, “We’re afraid of the Wuhan Flu, and we trust Sonoma County’s guidance.”

California becomes the first state to ban I.C.E. agents from wearing masks while on duty.

Governor Newsom seemingly taunts officers during a press conference when he asks, “What are you afraid of?”

According to the DHS, attacks on I.C.E. agents have gone up 1,000%. pic.twitter.com/KUT1VPWkwk

— Outnumbered (@OutnumberedFNC) September 22, 2025

The anti-science, chaotic, ridiculous response to the virus over the years has exemplified everything that is wrong with leadership in the state, and frankly, progressive leadership nationwide regarding COVID.

California, once known as adorably zany, is now just known as bat guano crazy.

Editor’s Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.

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