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California adopts policy addressing next phase of COVID-19 response

The approach being announced Thursday presumes that the most populous state is entering an endemic stage.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced the next phase of response to California's approach to the coronavirus pandemic

The SMARTER plan unveiled Thursday emphasizes prevention and quick reactions to outbreaks over mandates. His plan is meant to return life to normalcy while putting in place policies, procedures, and institutions that can more quickly identify a surge and react to it. Masks won't be required but will still be encouraged in many settings.

The SMARTER plan calls for an emphasis on efforts in the vulnerable and underserved populations that have been severely impacted by COVID-19.

"It is important to include everyone in this plan to ensure every Californian feels as if there is an answer for them," Andy Slavitt, Interim Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said during the press conference.

The plan sets specific goals, such as stockpiling 75 million masks, maintaining the ability to administer at least 200,000 vaccinations and 500,000 tests a day, and maintaining the ability to add 3,000 medical workers within three weeks in surge areas.

This plan also includes "myth-buster videos" to help fight the misinformation and disinformation regarding COVID-19.

"What we’re announcing here today is about turning the page, moving from this crisis mentality, and moving from a reactive framework to a framework where we are more sentinel in our approach," Newsom said during the press conference.

According to Newsom, despite the metaphors used earlier in the pandemic saying the state of California would "declare victory" against COVID-19, this plan is not about a timeline as there is no finish line to the pandemic.

Rather, according to Newsom, we must keep a "readiness posture" where we maintain a watch on the warning signs of the next deadly new surge or variant.

“It is clear the virus will remain with us for some time, if not forever,” a statement from the Newsom administration says. “However, we know what works, and have built the necessary tools over the last two years that allows us to learn and hone our defenses to this virus as it evolves.” 

The move comes a day after California lifted its latest indoor masking mandate. Officials are delaying an announcement on when they will stop requiring masks in schools. The state is expected to reassess the data and conditions on Feb. 28 and consider future changes to statewide school masking.

Newsom imposed the nation's first statewide stay-home order, temporarily crippling the state's economy in contrast to approaches in red states like Florida and Texas.

Last week, Newsom said the approach will emphasize flexibility. It will still include quarantines and testing of those who don't show symptoms and other precautions. But those safeguards will vary based on what he said are more than a dozen "guideposts and measurements" designed to spot new surges and virus variants. 

He said it will also include a continued emphasis on vaccinations and booster shots.

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