Newsom: 'We Cannot Continue' Same Behavior as COVID-19 Keeps Spreading

With the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and ICU admissions rising at an alarming rate, Gov. Gavin Newsom wondered Wednesday if some Californians were afflicted with "a little amnesia" and warned that people must modify their behavior.

"We cannot continue to do what we have done over the last number of weeks," Newsom said.

As he does at all his press briefings, Newsom cited the most recent pandemic statistics. He said despite the spike in cases, just 8% of hospital beds are currently full while 30% of ICU beds are now occupied. The ICU occupancy rate is up 18% over the past 14 days, while hospitalizations have risen 16% over the same period of time.

Noting that increasingly younger people are getting infected with the coronavirus, the governor urged them to remember parents, grandparents and others at higher risk from COVID-19.

"They can spread the virus and they can spread it to people that simply cannot handle the virus as younger, healthier people can," Newsom said. He went on to urge people to wear masks, especially if they are unable to socially distance.

"There’s no excuse to not wear one," he said.

Asked by a reporter if he felt President Trump's refusal to wear a mask was contributing to the spread of COVID-19, Newsom avoided directly criticizing Trump, as he usually does.

"I would encourage those watching to look at the example of Dr. Fauci," he urged, referring to the respected government scientist who until recently was participating in daily briefings on the pandemic, but has fallen out of favor with Trump.

Newsom said he wasn't interested in being punitive or heavy-handed in enforcing requirements to wear a mask and socially distance. Instead, he looked to counties to do that.

Noting that some county health officials have been threatened and harassed by those who dismiss their warnings, Newsom said "they're being demeaned and demoralized."

"And let me just say this crystal clear... Someone feels significant when they threaten other people. But there's no nobility in that. You're not a bigger person because you threaten someone else. You're a weaker person."

— Scott Shafer (@scottshafer)