California's mask mandate expires Feb. 16

Thought for the day

The Golden State’s mask mandate is set to expire next week.  Beginning Wednesday, everyone who is fully vaccinated and boosted can finally shop indoors again without face coverings.  The only glitch is this:  Unvaccinated people still will be required to wear masks indoors.  Unless the unprotected are wearing something like a bright orange patch complete with the letters U.V. printed on them, how will anyone know who is or isn't vaxxed?  

To date, millions of Californians have refused to roll up their sleeves and take the jab.  Because I doubt any of them will wear an orange patch, I suggest that, once the mask mandate is lifted, authorities immediately begin to fine unvaccinated/unmasked indoor shoppers.  How much should they be?  Start at $250 for the first violation, followed by $500 for a second violation.  A third violation would cost $1,000 and a fourth $2,000 plus 5 days in jail.  

Like a toll road payment, if a ticketed shopper fails to pay his or her fine within five days of it being issued, a 20 percent late fee automatically will be added to the total amount due.  In my opinion, if the reluctants won't get jabbed in the arm, then jab them where it really will make a difference -- in their pocketbooks.  

This year marks the third year in our war against COVID.  Now that three vaccines are readily available, the vast majority of hospitalizations and deaths occurr among the unvaccinted.  I, for one, don't want to spend another day wondering if an unmasked shopper passing me in Trader Joe’s or Macy's is vaccinated or not.  Starting next week, I'm guessing fully vaxxed and boosted shoppers will feel the same way.

-DF