California Governor Gavin Newsom is taking some heat for a maskless photo he posed for at the NFC Championship game. The photo in question at SoFi Stadium Sunday night shows a maskless Newsom with Magic Johnson, who also was not wearing a mask. The photo is drawing criticism in light of California's indoor mask mandate that has most recently been in place since December of last year amid surging cases of COVID-19. In addition to the statewide mandate, SoFi Stadium has clear mask guidelines that are posted around the venue stating masks are required for all attendees, except when actively eating or drinking.
The Governor addressed the criticism Monday morning during a press conference:
Also catching heat for a maskless appearance at the game was San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. All three of the individuals were shown in pictures with Magic Johnson unmasked at an event that was enforcing mask protocols for all in attendance. This position is not unfamiliar for Newsom for Breed, who both have been spotted multiple times maskless in regions where they are enforcing it in California.