Malibu Mulls Mask Mandate

MALIBU, CA — The Malibu City Council voted 4-1 Monday to back an emergency ordinance that would issue fines to people not wearing masks in public.

The Council did not vote the ordinance, which was requested by Mayor Mikke Pierson, into effect: rather, it was to consider it in future agendas. The ordinance would last as long as the city’s COVID-19 emergency order is in effect.

The ordinance would be modeled after similar ones in nearby cities like Calabasas, West Hollywood, and Hermosa Beach, which require face coverings in public. People not in compliance can risk fines of up to $1000.

During the Monday Zoom call, some residents were cautiously in favor of the ordinance, like Bruce Silverstein, who said that while he is in favor of an ordinance, everyone’s voice needs to be heard before such a measure goes into effect.

Resident Hamish Patterson questioned why the council is considering such a measure after five months of the pandemic.

“We live now at a time where we have enough information where we know exactly who is vulnerable and we know exactly who the demographic is at risk, and yet we’re still walking around all like the sky is falling and I don’t get it,” said Patterson.

“You should be mandating the city release information about how to get your body healthy. Not put some face diaper over your face.”

Councilmember Rick Mullen, the one vote against the ordinance, said that because everyone already knows the risks, a mandate is not necessary.

“Everyone does understand the recommended course of action for personal defensive measures,” he said. “I think it’s a little bit of an overreach to also have a city of Malibu mask ordinance.”

Mayor Pierson said that while he agreed that the ordinance is late, it has “taken a long time for society and us to figure this out.”

Councilmember and former Mayor Karen Farrer supports the measure, saying that she has not received any emails against masks, but rather asking why they see so many people in town not wearing them.

Councilmember Jefferson Wagner said that while he supports the measure as “an additional thing we can do to add our positive influence around the world,” he feels it will be hard to enforce.