California's mask mandate is set to expire on February 15th. California's Omicron surge was so high that even though case numbers have fallen, we are still at record levels (25x our May 2021 new case rate). The Omicron variant and sub-variant are highly contagious and spread easily amongst even fully vaccinated people. Our best line of defense is wearing masks. If Governor Gavin Newsom lets the California mask mandate expire, it will guarantee rising cases, rising hospitalizations, and we will be putting our most vulnerable populations at even more of a risk. We need to do our part and protect young children, immunocompromised, and elderly populations. Now is not the time to take away the mask mandate. Please sign this petition to let Governor Gavin Newsom know that Californians want the mask mandate to stay until the science proves it is safe to do so.