California Gov. Newsom's Office: 'Don't Forget to Keep Your Mask on in Between Bites'

By Mary Anne R. First Posted: Oct 08, 2020 11:09 PM EDT

California Governor Gavin Newsom's office released a tweet reminding weekend diners to keep their masks on while dining.

The tweet urged the public to wear a mask in between bites, adding that one should do their part to keep those around them healthy.

Masks are required to anyone going outside their home in the state of California.

Workers in the customer service industry, businesses, offices, factories, and health care workers are also advised to the same, according to the state of California's COVID-19 guidelines.

Newsom's Office Tweet

The official guidelines do indicate that masks can be removed for several reasons. That includes eating or drinking. However, Newsom's office's tweet offered a new light, which confused some people.

Journalist Matthew Fuhrman said he is very confused by the tweet. Fuhrman noted that the graphic posting implied that one should wear their mask again and on between bites.

The same case of confusion happened with another Twitter user.

The user asked if they should wash their hands after touching their masks, each time they remove it between bites.

"What if I'm eating chips and salsa and I go for a double dip? Is that technically two bites since it's the same chip?" the Twitter user noted.

Another person also tweeted that this violates the World Health Organization (WHO) do's and don'ts of wearing a mask. The user included a piece of graphic information from the WHO.

The graphic shows people avoiding touching their masks as much as possible, and washing their hands before touching their mask and after discarding it.

California's COVID-19 guidelines

In the state's published guidance for dining in restaurants, putting a mask between bites is not mentioned. However, physical distancing to the maximum extent has been suggested.

It also mentions the use of face coverings by workers and customers, frequent practice of handwashing, and regular disinfection.

Many California counties have already limited indoor dining to 25 percent of normal capacity. It allows outdoor dining only, depending on local infection rates.

Newsom addressed the tweet in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. He said that a staff member posted the tweet and that the graphic was simply intended to say that if during a meal, someone starts to read a book at the table, they should again wear a mask.

Newsom said he thinks this is the most overblown thing, which he understands as they are in a highly politicized environment. He reiterated that it was a staff who sent out the tweet.

California COVID-19 Cases

California has a total of 847,000 COVID-19 cases, with a total of 16,419 deaths.One of the counties with the largest cases is Los Angeles County, with 279,000 and 6,726 deaths.

Riverside County followed, with 61,416 cases and 1,248 COVID-19 death tolls. On the third spot was San Bernardino County, with 57,203 COVID-19 cases and 974 deaths.