CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING – COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GRACEY VAN DER MARK, MAYOR PRO TEM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION DECLARING CITY TO BE A “NO MASK AND NO VACCINE MANDATE” CITY
ISSUE STATEMENT
In 2020 and 2021, National, State, and Local governments throughout the country imposed "mask-wearing mandates" and "vaccine mandates" on the American people in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, when the pandemic broke out in February of 2020, the nation's leading "expert" on the COVID-19 response, Dr.
Anthony Fauci, wrote that masks were "not really effective." (Newsweek, "Fauci Said Masks 'Not Really Effective in Keeping Out Virus,' Email Reveals," June 2, 2021). In 2023, in retrospect of the COVID-19 response related to mask wearing, we learned that the "CDC exaggerated the evidence for masks to fight COVID." (Chicago Sun Times, "New research shows CDC exaggerated the evidence for masks to fight COVID," February 8, 2023). In addition, studies show that COVID vaccines lost effectiveness over time. (LA Times, "Study shows dramatic decline in effectiveness of all three COVID-19 vaccines over time," November 4, 2021).
Also in 2020 and 2021, the City of Huntington Beach imposed, among other things, broad (universal) mask- wearing mandates at City Hall and it encouraged the community to follow broad mask-wearing mandates issued by the State of California. Businesses throughout the City imposed a requirement to enter or patronize by showing a "proof of vaccination" card. Those mandates, like many of the other COVID-19 response restrictions, unnecessarily limited the freedoms of the citizens of Huntington Beach - even those who were not around anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 or at risk of any exposure. And, as we know now, with little to no effectiveness on the spread of COVID-19.
With the increase in reports that there now may be a COVID resurgence and spread by a new COVID-19 variant, and additional discussion of possible new broad (universal) mask-wearing mandates and pushes for vaccination boosters, the City Council of Huntington Beach should take a stand against government imposing on individual liberties and broadly imposing response measures on individuals that have been proven to have little or no effectiveness. The City should ban broad (universal) mask and vaccine mandates by declaring the City to be a "no mask and no vaccine mandate City." An exception to this rule only applies to those who have tested positive for COVID. Otherwise, those individuals not directly at risk of direct exposure should have a right to choose whether to wear a mask or not, or whether to get vaccinated or not, and if someone chooses to, they should be allowed to.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
The City ban broad (universal) mask and vaccine mandates; City Manager to return to Council with a Resolution at the next regular meeting declaring the City to be a "no mask and no vaccine mandate City" as a response to COVID-19 or any variants. Individuals, whether at City Hall or in the private sector, should have a right to choose whether to wear a mask or get vaccinated or boosted.
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Not Applicable