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COVID masks are back in Newsom’s California amid new health scare

October 9, 2025 | | Print Article

A California county has imposed a new mask mandate and is urging residents to get vaccinated amid the latest health scare, citing a “greater risk” of COVID, the seasonal flu, and other respiratory illnesses.

Sonoma County, which is located in the heart of wine country, issued the Monday order commanding people to don the face diapers when entering certain healthcare facilities, including 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.

“The risk to vulnerable patients of COVID, flu, and other respiratory viruses in health care facilities remains significant, so it continues to be important for face masks to be used in patient care areas when the seasonal risk of exposure to one or more viruses is high,” Sonoma County Interim Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith said in a statement.

“The rationale behind this order is to protect the most vulnerable populations (such as the elderly and cancer patients) and to try to prevent medical staff from getting sick and creating staffing problems for facilities,” a Sonoma County Department of Health spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

Masking will be required in the specified settings from November 1 at 12:01 a.m. until March 31, 2026.

The order states that some exemptions to the mask mandate apply, including people “with a diagnosed medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents the individual from wearing a face mask” and “persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.”

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“’Face Mask’ means a surgical mask, KN95, KF94, or N95 respirator. A scarf, ski mask, balaclava, bandana, turtleneck, collar, cloth mask, or any mask that has an unfiltered, one-way exhaust valve does not qualify as a Face Mask under this order,” according to the order.

Sonoma County’s order comes after Governor Gavin Newsom banned law enforcement personnel from wearing masks, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents having been forced to cover their faces during raids to prevent themselves from being doxed and targeted by leftists who could commit violence against them and their loved ones.

The mask order should be a reminder of the pandemic days when Democrat officials used the virus to trample civil liberties in an authoritarian power grab previously unseen in a free country, and that it could happen again under the right circumstances.

One of the Democrat authoritarians who locked down citizens during the pandemic, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, posted a bizarre picture of himself getting his vaccine on Wednesday.

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“Can’t believe I have to say this, but in Minnesota you will continue to have the freedom to get your COVID and flu shots,” wrote Kamala Harris’ running mate, flogging the lie that President Donald J. Trump’s administration has stripped Americans of their right to get the controversial vaccine if they desire to do so.

“Tampon” Tim was jabbed by X users.

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Democrats never had it so good as they did during the hellish era of the COVID pandemic, and it’s probably understandable why they would be wistful for a return to the good old days.

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Chris Donaldson
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