L.A. Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer confirmed to a local reporter covering the coronavirus pandemic for the last two years that the county’s indoor mask mandate will end on Friday. The catch is that this only applies to fully vaccinated people and only when proof of vaccination is provided. Businesses will be responsible for checking proof of vaccination of their customers. This puts L.A. County in line with the State of California.

LA County DPH is issuing a new Health Order (looks like it will take effect Friday) allowing vaccinated people to take off their masks indoors at places that check for proof of vaccination.

This puts us significantly closer to aligning with the State.

— Janice Hahn (@SupJaniceHahn) February 22, 2022

The Los Angeles Public Health Department announced two options that are available for removing masking requirements for fully vaccinated individuals. The biggest difference is that establishments, businesses, or venues can keep their workers masked and apply protocols to only customers. They can also apply them to both customers and employees. Indoor mask mandates remain in place for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people.

Prior to or upon entry to indoor spaces for 100% of customers aged 5 and up, proof of vaccination must be verified. Proof of a recent negative COVID-19 viral test result if there is no proof of vaccination is required. The tests must be taken within two days of entry into a business or venue if it is a PCR test, one day if it is an antigen test. Unvaccinated employees will be required to submit negative test results every three days. Unvaccinated people must continue to wear a “well-fitting mask” while indoors, as is required by the state, except when eating or drinking.

Masks can still be worn by anyone showing proof of vaccination if they choose to do so.

California’s statewide indoor mask mandate officially expired last week. Fully vaccinated residents across the state can enter public spaces without masks in most counties. The change in the state’s guidance came after it saw a dramatic decrease in case rates and hospitalizations over the last month.

Indoor masking requirements remain in place, however, in certain places across the state. These include healthcare settings, jails and prisons, long-term care facilities and K-12 schools. A federal mask mandate also remains in place for public transit. You may remember the outrage expressed after California parents saw the thousands of unmasked fans (including the Mayor of L.A.) at the Super Bowl game in Los Angeles and knowing that their children were expected to don face masks in school the next day. The mask mandates in schools are being “reassessed” at the end of the month. A specific date to lift the mandate for schools is expected on February 28.

Hawaii is the last state with an indoor mask mandate in place.

Jodi Leong, the Deputy Communication Director for the Office of the Governor said they are still talking about the current indoor mask mandate, however nothing has changed in the past week.

“Discussions continue and we have nothing new on the indoor mask mandate at this time,” said Leong.

Currently in place in Hawaii is the COVID-19 emergency proclamation which goes over the rules for traveling to the state, quarantining protocols if infected with COVID and face covering regulations.

“The COVID-19 emergency proclamation currently expires on Mar. 25,” said Leong. “So I expect there will be an announcement before then, on whether or not the indoor mask mandate/Safe Travels will be extended.”

If we were following the science, masks would be optional everywhere by now. Most places are entering the endemic stage or are already there. The science has changed during the pandemic, with masks deemed unnecessary in the beginning so as to save supplies for health care workers and first responders and then soon afterwards, we were told to wear them everywhere. One of the most frustrating aspects of this pandemic has been the lack of consistent messaging. Decisions appear to be made on whims of public officials. As we all know, once politicians get new powers, they are very slow to relinquish those powers when emergencies subside. It is past time to unmask school children. Masks for them have never been necessary. There are no reports of schools being super-spreader environments. Teachers were at the front of the line when vaccines became available and then they kept schools closed for over a year anyway. At this point masks are pandemic theatre. If it makes you feel better out in public to wear one, then do so, especially if your immune system is compromised or have underlying medical conditions. Otherwise it’s time to toss the masks and learn to live with the virus.