From Fox News: A county in California wine country is beefing up its vaccine recommendations and instituting a mask mandate, citing “greater risk” of contracting COVID-19 amid the start of the annual flu season.
The Sonoma County Department of Public Health’s Interim Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith issued an order Monday requiring anyone entering certain healthcare facilities in the county to wear a mask. Facilities subject to the order include 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, according to the order.
“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 spokesperson for the Sonoma County Department of Health told Fox News Digital.
The mask mandate will run from Nov. 1 until March 31, 2026, and the order states that Smith can expand the type of facilities subject to it on an as-needed basis. Additionally, the requirement will be put in place annually unless otherwise rescinded.
The shocking rule also has a large number of exceptions. The following list are some of those who may be exempt from the mask mandate:
- Anyone “with a diagnosed medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents the individual from wearing a face mask.”
- Hearing impaired people who must see the mouth to communicate
- Anyone else for whom local, state or federal regulators deem could be harmed from wearing one.
The following types of face masks may be worn: surgical mask, KN95, KF94, or N95 respirator.
NOT acceptable are informal masks, such as a scarf, ski mask, balaclava, bandana, turtleneck, collar, cloth mask, or “any mask that has an unfiltered, one-way exhaust valve.”
A press release by the County of Sonoma also states:
Dr. Smith also issued guidance today for the general public, strongly recommending that everyone 6 months of age and older get current COVID-19 and flu vaccines, and RSV vaccines if they are eligible.
She also recommends that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people wear masks in public indoor settings when the COVID or influenza risk in Sonoma County is high.
Sonoma County is taking steps to protect vulnerable residents this fall and winter.😷
Starting Nov. 1 through March 31, 2026, masks will be required in patient care areas of certain health care facilities, including skilled nursing and dialysis centers. https://t.co/Bri4Ymmxql pic.twitter.com/7Akn8Q7QTK— County of Sonoma (@CountyofSonoma) October 7, 2025
Outrage is erupting on social media. Podcast host Michael Savage wrote, “Same fascistic playbook at work, again.”
Mask mandates return in Sonoma County, Cal .”leaders” cite ‘risk of COVID’ and up vaccine recommendations
Facilities subject to the order can be expanded upon determination by county leaders (same fascistic playbook at work, again)— Michael Savage (@ASavageNation) October 9, 2025
Awarding-winning singer Lisa Matessa wrote, “You really can’t fix stupid!! Masks don’t work and neither do the vaccines but LET’S DO IT AGAIN!! 🤣😳😂🤔.”
You really can’t fix stupid!! Masks don’t work and neither do the vaccines but LET’S DO IT AGAIN!! 🤣😳😂🤔 https://t.co/58ClS8lMJR
— Lisa Matassa (@Lisa_Matassa) October 9, 2025
Does that include ICE? 🤡
— Christoff Peevish (@ChristoffPeev) October 9, 2025
😂 Here we go again! Wealthy blue county in California bringing back mask mandates like it’s 2020 all over again. They just can’t let go of control! Total insanity. 🤦🏽♀️ pic.twitter.com/7h92cJFYGB
— Zough Lina (@GodisKing2024) October 9, 2025
So… during the pandemic I was supportive of protections. But, we now know the countries with the strictest mask mandates had the HIGHEST cases per capita. They do nothing. I mean, we literally have billions of data points that prove it.
— GourmetMale – Wok is dead (@GourmetMale) October 9, 2025
Did you see that mask mandates are back in Sonoma, CA? Even after we have the science that debunks them
— David Aknin (@DavidRAknin) October 9, 2025
Mask mandates return in wealthy blue state county, leaders cite ‘risk of COVID’ and up vaccine recommendations https://t.co/gJxz3siJzd
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 9, 2025
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