Huntington Beach Bans Mask and Vaccine Mandates
In Response to Lockdowns and Mandates, Huntington Beach City Council Votes Against Future Impositions
In response to the lockdowns and mandates imposed by national, state, and local governments in 2020 and 2021, including mask wearing and vaccine mandates, the Huntington Beach City Council in Southern California took a stand. On September 5, they voted 4 to 3 against imposing any future mandates in the city, except for those who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Mayor Pro Tem Gracey Van Der Mark, who brought the item to the council’s attention, expressed concerns about a possible COVID-19 resurgence and the potential for more mandates. During the meeting, she read from the agenda item, stating, “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.”
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The city’s conservative council majority, elected in November, supported the item. It directs the city manager to bring a resolution to the next council meeting, declaring Huntington Beach a “no mask and no vaccine mandate city” for COVID-19 and its variants.
Councilors Natalie Moser, Dan Kalmick, and Rhonda Bolton, the city’s Democrat minority councilors, voted against the item. However, the agenda item clarifies that businesses still have the authority to impose their own regulations, including mask requirements for customers.
Councilman Kalmick strongly opposed the proposed declaration during the lengthy council session, which lasted until almost 3 a.m. He emphasized that the council members are not public health or research experts and questioned their authority to make public health determinations.
Councilwoman Bolton echoed Kalmick’s sentiments, expressing frustration that the council was discussing COVID, masks, and vaccines instead of focusing on other pressing issues like the e-bike problem and homelessness.
Mayor Van Der Mark defended her proposed resolution, emphasizing that it aims to protect residents’ personal freedom and prevent government intrusion. She recalled past incidents where residents were restricted from enjoying the beaches and state troopers were deployed to enforce mandates.
Mayor Tony Strickland echoed her sentiments, emphasizing the importance of making a statement that the city will fight to protect individual freedoms and prevent a repeat of past restrictions.
During the meeting, residents had the opportunity to voice their opinions for and against the proposed resolution. One resident, a licensed public health nurse in California, questioned the necessity of the resolution for non-existent imaginary COVID restrictions, suggesting that the council should focus on infrastructure and community projects. On the other hand, a mother of five children spoke in support of the resolution, advocating for individual choice and freedom regarding mask wearing and vaccinations.
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