Protest distancing:
Governor prods demonstrators, others to follow health guidelines.
A day after California reimposed parts of its stayathome order for much of the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom gently implored protesters and mask scofflaws to consider the consequences of ignoring health orders.
“All I can offer is this consideration: Do what you think is best, not only for you, but for the health of those you love,” Newsom said Thursday at a news conference in Sacramento. “Just because someone else is doing it, doesn’t mean you should.”
Asked repeatedly whether there was a disconnect between discouraging family gatherings but saying nothing about protests, such as those that have taken place since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, Newsom ventured mild criticism of street activism during the pandemic.
The governor said that while orders to wear masks in crowded places or maintain safe physical distance aren’t widely enforced, protesters should think about those who may die from exposure to the virus.
He ticked off a string of statistics to show how the coronavirus has roared back in California in recent weeks: Hospitalizations have increased 56% in two weeks, admissions to the intensive care unit are up 49% and the rate of positive tests has climbed to more than 6%.
“Look, we’re not going to everybody’s backyard and enforcing. You know that,” Newsom said. “Consider others. That could be your mother, it could be your grandmother, it could be someone you deeply love.”
Newsom didn’t unveil any new restrictions on public life Thursday, but he said the state is doubling down on parts of its stayathome order that were reimposed in 19 counties on Wednesday.
To coax more businesses to comply, Newsom said the state is deploying teams of health regulators across the state. He said they will focus on “people who have turned their back or been particularly more problematic in the past.”
On Wednesday, Newsom ordered 19 counties with surging outbreaks to reimpose parts of their stayathome orders for at least three weeks, to prevent the pandemic from spiraling out of control.
Counties on the state’s watch list were directed to close a host of indoor establishments: dinein restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms, movie theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, zoos, museums and cardrooms. Bars must halt all indoor and outdoor operations.
Two Bay Area counties — Santa Clara and Solano — are among the 19 on the list. Newsom said more counties in the region could be added if new infections continue to soar.
Contra Costa County had been on the list, but was removed Thursday. Meanwhile, Monterey County was added.
Besides the Bay Area counties, those on the list are Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, Stanislaus, Fresno, Glenn, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Merced, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura.
Newsom said the message to adhere to health orders is particularly important as Californians head into the Fourth of July weekend, one of the busiest times for travel and family gatherings.
He said people should celebrate the holiday differently this year, noting that many cities and counties have extinguished fireworks displays and canceled parades. Newsom said those who want to see fireworks should “stay in your cars or stay at home and just enjoy them from afar.”
Newsom also announced Thursday that the state is launching a major public-awareness campaign, with TV ads and more than 400 billboards, to emphasize the need to wear masks.
“Don’t think for a second we are out of the woods,” he said. “We can again bend this curve.”
Dustin Gardiner is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dustin.gardiner@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dustingardiner