Newsom Lambasted For Not Wearing A Mask, Again

LOS ANGELES, CA — Gov. Gavin Newsom is once again being criticized for appearing in a photo in a public space without a mask. The governor was seen maskless as he posed for a photo at the NFC championship game Sunday at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles.

Basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson tweeted a photo of himself and the governor at the game, both grinning without masks.

Last month, the state's indoor mask mandate was extended through Feb. 15 as omicron continued to rip through California. Currently, in Los Angeles County, masks are required at all times in SoFi Stadium unless a person is eating or drinking.

Attendees ages 5 and older are also required to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter.

The governor contended that he only took his mask off to take a photo with Johnson and was "very judicious" about wearing it elsewhere in the stadium. He said he removed it occasionally to sip water.

"The rest of the time, I wore it as we all should,” he told reporters on Monday. “I encourage everybody else to do so."

But photos circulating online showed Newsom maskless at his seat and dangling from his ear. Other photos show him wearing his mask at his seat.

Similar complaints have tainted the Democratic governor's image since his 2020 appearance at the well-heeled French Laundry restaurant in Napa Valley with a party larger than state officials had recommended at the time.

The event supercharged a recall effort, which Newsom handily defeated in September.

Johnson also shared photos of himself with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and San Francisco Mayor London Breed maskless.