[Genuine Realist]

Newsom was in a tough bind.   He apparently has understood what should be done, but also understood that POTUS45 would threaten funds if he was too tough.

Yes, Newsom was and is in a tough bind. He has Garcetti pushing on him the entire time to protect the LA County economy. It isn't a random fact that LA County was given lots of rope early in this epidemic when their case counts were sky high. I very seriously doubt Newsom worried nearly as much about POTUS 45 threats as you seem to believe. Despite his bluster, there really is little POTUS 45 could do to treat states differently. He can threaten funds, but in most cases he can't actually block them. With this POTUS, he would have blocked funds for"blue" states every chance he got. Fortunately, there are few opportunities to do so. The courts won't let him, thank goodness, I think one needs look no farther than state politics to find the reasons for Newsom's somewhat schizophrenic response.

In northern Santa Clara County, there isn't much in the way of non-mask compliance. On my daily walk, I carry a mask, and put it on as I approach someone and when I walk into town (Castro Street, Mountain View). Everyone is masked there, on the crowded sidewalk. Out door diners are not, but they are pretty isolated.

I don't know what marginal benefit a mask mandate would provide where I live.

I write this because I'm not so sure that the social custom is lagging, even in Red States. No one wants to get sick. I'd bet there is substantial compliance even among Trump supporters.

[Genuine Realist]

Newsom was in a tough bind.   He apparently has understood what should be done, but also understood that POTUS45 would threaten funds if he was too tough.

Yes, Newsom was and is in a tough bind. He has Garcetti pushing on him the entire time to protect the LA County economy. It isn't a random fact that LA County was given lots of rope early in this epidemic when their case counts were sky high. I very seriously doubt Newsom worried nearly as much about POTUS 45 threats as you seem to believe. Despite his bluster, there really is little POTUS 45 could do to treat states differently. He can threaten funds, but in most cases he can't actually block them. With this POTUS, he would have blocked funds for"blue" states every chance he got. Fortunately, there are few opportunities to do so. The courts won't let him, thank goodness, I think one needs look no farther than state politics to find the reasons for Newsom's somewhat schizophrenic response.

In northern Santa Clara County, there isn't much in the way of non-mask compliance. On my daily walk, I carry a mask, and put it on as I approach someone and when I walk into town (Castro Street, Mountain View). Everyone is masked there, on the crowded sidewalk. Out door diners are not, but they are pretty isolated.

I don't know what marginal benefit a mask mandate would provide where I live.

I write this because I'm not so sure that the social custom is lagging, even in Red States. No one wants to get sick. I'd bet there is substantial compliance even among Trump supporters.