California Governor Gavin Newsom has responded to criticism that he closed places of worship but allowed Hollywood to remain open during the coronavirus pandemic by saying that “we didn’t know” at the time.
The governor acknowledged that the state had to make difficult decisions early on during the pandemic, but that it was impossible to predict the course the virus would take. By closing places of worship, Newsom said, he was attempting to curb the spread of the virus, noting that “we were relying on science, data, the best medical minds.”
He also noted that new scientific data has allowed the state to reconsider its initial decisions, and as such, many places of worship were allowed to reopen with proper social distancing protocols in place. Newsom added that Hollywood was able to continue production since it had guidelines in place that allowed for personnel to remain socially distant.
Newsom concluded that with current data, the state is taking the necessary steps to ensure safety for all. He urged residents to remain cautious, noting that “we must continue to be prudent and continue to keep our guard up.”
