San Diego City Wire

While Gov. Gavin Newsom has recently eased up COVID-19 restrictions, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has said that California has been the most restricted state during the coronavirus health crisis.

According to Faulconer, government officials should be striking a balance between saving lives and livelihoods that "has not been achieved here in California," Fox Business reported.

He said that the restrictions previously issued by Newsom, such as the prohibition of indoor dining at restaurants and even the stay-at-home order, are not backed by science.

“We need to make sure we’re being smart about it, we’re following the science,” Faulconer said. “But again, what we’ve seen coming out of the governor’s office, that’s not happening.”

He says the actions implemented, including vaccine distributions, do not define California as a Golden State.

“The fact that California is actually one of the worst in terms of where we should be – the most innovative state in the country,” he added. “It gets back to saving lives and livelihoods and having that right balance.”

Faulconer, who is eyeing a run for governor in the 2022 election, implied that Californians are  looking for a change.

“People want a governor that’s going to bring this state together, that’s going to protect our economy, small businesses," he said. "That’s not a Republican or Democratic thing. That’s a common-sense approach. That’s what’s been missing in California and I think that’s why people want a change.”