Super shaper Matt Biolos infuriated by California’s new mandatory holiday Covid-19 guidelines: “Mr. Newsom, do we now live in Communist Russia?”

American flag emoji.

Yesterday, whilst on the way home from buying an extra large rat trap, I heard a story on National Public Radio about how Canada is seeing a spike in Covid-19 cases and that it is being blamed on their recent celebration of Thanksgiving on October 12.

The rat, who lives in either the palm tree or the overgrown bird of paradise outside the bedroom window, makes much racket at night and I puzzled over which trap to get. The classic neck breaker? Modern poison? Worrying about my daughter’s chihuahua Thunderstruck in either case. She is small enough to get her own neck broken and has an adventurous enough palate to nibble a drugged carcass.

The only trap I was decidedly against was the humane catch-and-release sort as, a student of history, I am aware that rats were responsible for our last great human plague.

I eventually decided on the poison sort, drove home, and heard Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau say, “This sucks…” regarding the spike while asking Canadians to not spend Christmas with one another.

Well, the United States of America celebrates its Thanksgiving the last Thursday in November, just around the corner, Christmas with everyone else and I wondered if our leaders would ask for sacrifice.

Lo and behold, California released very thorough new “mandatory requirements for all gatherings” including:

7. Rules for Singing, Chanting, and Shouting at Outdoor Gatherings

Singing, chanting, shouting, and physical exertion significantly increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission because these activities increase the release of respiratory droplets and fine aerosols into the air. Because of this, singing, chanting, and shouting are strongly discouraged, but if they occur, the following rules and recommendations apply:

All people who are singing or chanting should wear a face covering at all times while singing or chanting, including anyone who is leading a song or chant. Because these activities pose a very high risk of COVID-19 transmission, face coverings are essential to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets and fine aerosols;

People who are singing, shouting, chanting, or exercising are strongly encouraged to maintain physical distancing beyond 6 feet to further reduce risk.

People who are singing or chanting are strongly encouraged to do so quietly (at or below the volume of a normal speaking voice).

Instrumental music is allowed as long as the musicians maintain at least 6-foot physical distancing. Musicians must be from one of the three households. Playing of wind instruments (any instrument played by the mouth, such as a trumpet or clarinet) is strongly discouraged.

Super shaper Matt Biolos, who lives in San Clemente, was not happy asking California’s governor? “Mr. Newsom, do we now live in Communist Russia? Did this clown forget we live in (USA flag emoji)”

An interesting question.

If you had to live in a totalitarian state would you choose:

A) Russia (1922 -1991)

B) East Germany (1948 – 1990)

C) North Korea (1948 – present)

D) Italy (1922 – 1943)*

*This is a trick question as fascist Italy is not considered totalitarian.