Does Los Angeles feel like it’s in the middle of an emergency?
The Covid-19 situation has been improving for months.
The number of new cases is dropping. The number of fully vaccinated people is rising.
The entire state is set to reopen on June 15th.
Despite all that, Governor Newsom still thinks we are in the middle of an emergency.
Cases Falling
Last September, America was recording around 40,000 new cases per day.
That number recently dipped below 10,000 per day.
Covid in Los Angeles is looking even better.
Los Angeles County recorded 285 new cases on Saturday. That’s significantly down from the 15,000 daily cases being recorded in January.
What is a State of Emergency?
The power is designed to help the government act quickly in times of crisis.
It gives Newsom the power to suspend state laws and impose new rules. The governor has been using that power often.
Since March 2020, Newsom has issued at least 58 executive orders to alter or suspend laws. All this was done in the name of fighting Covid.
What Governor Newsom Says
When asked if he plans on lifting the emergency now that things are normalizing, he was very clear.
“The emergency remains in effect after June 15.”-Governor Newsom
He insists that the danger has not passed.
“We’re still in a state of emergency. This disease is still in effect. It is not taking the summer off. Some modifications may need to be in order on the basis of changing conditions.” -Governor Newsom
The Governor’s decision predictably angered Republicans. However, Democrats support the continued State of Emergency.
My Thoughts
Does it make sense that Los Angeles is safe enough to reopen but not lift the emergency?
In my opinion, no. It makes no sense to me at all.
But, to be honest, politics rarely make sense to me.
At the end of the day, like it or not, Governor Newsom has the power to keep the emergency as long as he likes.
The State Legislature has the power to override him, but it has shown no interest in doing so.
Los Angeles residents will have to accept the decision. We will be living through an “emergency” until Governor Newsome decides otherwise.