Santa Barbara Superior Court Keeps Mask Mandate in Place
Source: Santa Barbara County Superior Court
Presiding Judge Gustavo Lavayen has ordered that all persons entering court facilities in Santa Barbara County continue wearing approved masks. Further, the use of gaiters, bandanas and handkerchiefs is prohibited. Court visitors, attorneys, jurors, staff and judges must wear an N95, KN95, KF94 mask or a combination of surgical mask and cloth mask. The mandate is reflected in the administrative order issued on January 18, 2022 which remains in full, force and effect.
The Court recognizes that the State and County have lifted mask mandates for vaccinated persons. However, the Court wishes to provide the safest environment within which to conduct court proceedings for everyone involved.
Court users have already grown accustomed to the prevalence of plexiglass throughout courtrooms and the availability of hand sanitizers and air purifiers in many of the facilities. “This is one more measure to ensure that people are safe when they come to the Santa Barbara Superior Court”, said Judge Lavayen.
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Feb 21, 2022 04:28 PMDid the judge also mandate that you can’t touch your mask or drink for the duration of the proceedings…?
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Feb 25, 2022 01:43 AMI... never mind.
Glad you weren't called. Wish you could take my place.
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Feb 21, 2022 03:24 AMI requested and received a deferral from jury duty; I'll soon be called again. Dozens and dozens of community members have to deal with jury duty. Anything the court system can do to minimize risk to us is appreciated. We don't know the health status of all the people called in. I support a mask mandate in the courts for this reason. Yes, it's selfish. It's also looking out for others.
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Feb 22, 2022 12:25 PM@9AM
You're wrong, of course, as even a casual glance at the Johns Hopkins COVID stats will show.
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Feb 22, 2022 08:32 AMHospitalisation and death rate are low though… so yeah… they (the Danes) are testing like crazy and just like here everyone is testing positive for omicron. Time to live like the Dane’s and stop the silliness. And again, You can keep masking yourself forever…
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Feb 21, 2022 07:03 PMDenmark's cases have soared again after they removed their mask mandate.
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Feb 19, 2022 09:57 AMIts not the Judges choice-Thats whats wrong with some Judges they think they make all the rules (they dont) maybe he didnt get the memo-get the memo we are paying your salary-if not quit and get a job where you have the right to pick and choose
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Feb 19, 2022 09:12 AMWow, I though governor Newsom was pretty far left and he ended mask mandates at the state level. This court must be off the charts. I am concerned about the ability of a judge with such an extreme political bias to perform his duties.
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Feb 22, 2022 08:31 AMI am firmly against any mandates in almost all situations, but in cases like this, or when interacting with police where a person has no ability to refuse, I think a mandate like this makes sense. That said, I'd toss any Jury summons right in the trash if this was the rule...
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Feb 20, 2022 09:52 PMChip, I believe the judge is simply trying to keep people safe in a place where they have to be, often against their preference. For instance, if I have to be on a jury, I don’t want to get Covid from my fellow jurors, whom I have to sit very close to for hours at a time.
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Feb 19, 2022 09:56 AMPstar, this is more about the role of a judge than it is about mask orders. A judge is tasked with interpreting law and implementing the intention of the law. It is not the place of a judge to create law, or legislate from the bench. The legislative branch of government is empowered to create law, and they have done so. The state and local government, and the public health officials they have empowered through legislation have determined that masks are no longer required indoors. It is not the place of a judge to create his own public health policy. Rather, a judge is tasked with interpreting the laws and regulations that stem from the legislative branch of government. If you believe b95 and double masking should be required, then you should petition your state and local elected officials and vote for candidates who support such a policy. It is not legal, nor appropriate for a judge to create public health regulations.
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Feb 19, 2022 09:29 AMim concerned for an individual that is so politically biased they cant see other citizens next to them
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Feb 18, 2022 10:31 PM"Court users have already grown accustomed to the prevalence of plexiglass throughout courtrooms and the availability of hand sanitizers and air purifiers in many of the facilities." Ah yes, the 'ol "already grown accustomed to" (you fill in the blank). What's next?
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Feb 22, 2022 08:28 AMDon't forget, plexiglass has been shown to provide zero protection against an aerosolized virus and actually may obstruct the flow of air, maximizing the exposure.