If you thought the pandemic was over, we're sorry to say that you're wrong.

As the 2024 election looms closer and the presidential candidates are increasingly at each others' throats, so it seems COVID is at ours. And Lauren Chen is well aware.

“It does seem like COVID part two is back. That’s right, the pandemic strikes back,” Chen says. “A lot of people, if you ask me, have been a little too quick to move on and forget that hey, you actually had neighbors who are calling the police on you if you tried to have guests over.”

“There were actually people who were dying that were prevented from seeing their loved ones,” she adds.

We need to remember, because if we don’t, then it could easily all happen over again. And in some ways, it already is.

Lionsgate, a production company based in California, has re-implemented a mask mandate for some employees after a few employees tested positive for COVID.

The employees were told in an email to “wear a medical grade face covering (surgical mask KN95 or N95) when indoors except when alone in an office with the door closed, actively eating, actively drinking at their desk or workstation, or if they are the only individual present in a large open workspace.”

“If you are still afraid of COVID in this day and age, you haven’t been paying attention and you should probably go see some sort of mental health professional, rather than place all of your concern in something like COVID,” Chen says.

It’s not only the Hollywood studio that’s making a big deal out of re-implementing mask mandates. Morris Brown College has also reintroduced a mask mandate for both students and staff.

The college made this decision because there have been reports of students testing positive for COVID.

“Yes, the fatality rates for COVID are very similar to that of the flu. Do we institute mask mandates for the flu now? Absolutely not. It’s just something we live with and we understand that we live in a society. People get sick. So, the fact that some people out there still have this irrational fear when it comes to COVID,” Chen says. “It’s not based in science. It’s not based in medicine. This is an ideological thing.”

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Newsom claims he removed mask for 'brief second' to snap photo with NBA legend. Photo evidence shows otherwise.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom stopped short on Monday of admitting that he made a mistake after he was caught, once again, not abiding by COVID-19 rules.

Instead, the Democratic governor defended himself and denied what photographic evidence clearly showed.

What is the background?

Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) flouted COVID-19 mask rules while attending the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

By not wearing face coverings, the Democratic leaders violated a series of COVID restrictions, including California's universal indoor mask mandate (which was recently extended), Los Angeles County's mask guidelines, and those in place at SoFi Stadium.

Newsom's hypocrisy on COVID restrictions was exposed after NBA legend Magic Johnson posted a picture with Newsom on social media. In that photo, Newsom was not wearing a mask. Johnson also posted photos with Garcetti and San Francisco Mayor London Breed (D), neither of whom were wearing masks.

Hanging out at SoFi Stadium today!pic.twitter.com/XfotiRLGz9
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@Earvin Magic Johnson) 1643597831

How did Newsom respond?

At a press conference, Newsom abdicated all responsibility for skirting COVID rules, instead saying he removed his mask only for the photo with Johnson.

"I was very judicious yesterday, very judicious," Newsom claimed.

"You’ll see the photo that I did take, where Magic was kind enough, generous enough, to ask me for a photograph and in my left hand’s the mask and I took the photo," he explained. "The rest of the time I wore it as we all should, um — not when I had a glass of water — and I encourage everybody else to do so. And, uh, that’s it."

When one reporter asked Newsom if he should have "reconsidered" taking his mask off "given your history with this issue" — a clear reference to Newsom's serial hypocrisy on COVID restrictions — Newsom almost admitted that he had made a mistake, but stopped short of actually saying that.

"Yes, of course. I was trying to be gracious. I made a mis — I was trying to be gracious," he said. "I took the mask off for a brief second, but no, I encourage people to continue to wear them."

NEW: Here\u2019s how Governor Newsom responded to questions about the photo of him not wearing a mask at SoFi stadium last night. \n\nHe stops short of saying he made a mistake, says California\u2019s \u2018endemic plan\u2019 is coming soon.pic.twitter.com/ib8hCanc1a
— Ashley Zavala (@Ashley Zavala) 1643655516

Is that true?

The Los Angeles Rams' "fan cam" caught Newsom without his mask on while sitting in his seat. At the time the picture was taken, it was not the "brief second" that he met with Johnson for the photograph.

Newsom's mask was down around his face, dangling from one ear. He was not eating or drinking. Interestingly, none of the people around him were wearing masks, either.

Gov. Newsom is sitting on the right with the face mask dangling from his ear. (Image source: LA Rams "fan cam" screenshot)

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer once again caught breaking her own COVID restrictions, photo leaked to media

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) was caught over the weekend violating her own COVID-19 pandemic restrictions when she was photographed eating at a restaurant with more people than her latest pandemic restrictions allow.

What are the details?

Breitbart News obtained a photo showing Whitmer at a bar in East Lansing with a dozen other people in violation of her own COVID-related restrictions.

Breitbart reported:

Whitmer and a large group of friends, including her appointed chief operations officer, Tricia Foster, visited the Landshark in East Lansing, violating her restaurant orders in the process, according to a photo one of the attendees posted on Facebook. The photo, posted Saturday, was part of a montage. Shortly after, Whitmer's friend deleted the collage and reposted it sans the governor and one of her top aides.

Image source: Breitbart News

Whitmer issued updated COVID guidance just one week before she violated her own rules.

On May 15, Whitmer issued restrictions prohibiting indoor dining at restaurants by parties of more than six people and by groups of people who "intermingle."

"Gatherings are prohibited at food service establishments, whether indoor or outdoor, unless: Consumption of food or beverages is permitted only in a designated dining area where patrons are seated, groups of patrons are separated by at least 6 feet, no more than 6 patrons are seated together (at a table, booth, or group of fixed seats), and groups of patrons do not intermingle," the restrictions said.

How did Whitmer respond?

Her office promptly responded to growing backlash online by admitting that, yeah, Whitmer broke her own rules.

"Throughout the pandemic, I've been committed to following public health protocols. Yesterday, I went with friends to a local restaurant. As more people arrived, the tables were pushed together," Whitmer said. "Because we were all vaccinated, we didn't stop to think about it."

"In retrospect, I should have thought about it," she added. "I am human. I made a mistake, and I apologize."

REACTION: After a photo surfaced of @GovWhitmer at a table in an East Lansing bar with a dozen other people, seemin… https://t.co/ByFpQO7yUr
— Eric Lloyd (@EricLloyd) 1621800394.0

Just last month, Whitmer also faced accusations of hypocrisy stemming from a trip to Florida earlier this year, despite blaming travel to and from the Sunshine State for a COVID outbreak in her state.

Whitmer has since been hit with an ethics complaint over her use of a private jet at a greatly discounted rate for her travel to Florida.

President Biden gets blasted for new 'rule' on COVID-19 vaccinations and masks: 'Kindly, screw off'

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finally eased indoor face mask requirements on Thursday. The new CDC guidance allows vaccinated Americans to not have to wear masks outdoor and in most indoor settings. Following the announcement, President Joe Biden issued his own new "rule" about face masks and coronavirus vaccinations, which caused a stir on social media, and many lambasted the order as "authoritarian."

The official Twitter account for President Biden posted a video calling for Americans to get "vaxxed or masked," and had the caption: "Folks, if you're fully vaccinated — you no longer need to wear a mask. If you're not vaccinated yet — go to http://vaccines.gov to find a shot, and mask up until you're fully vaccinated."

Folks, if you’re fully vaccinated — you no longer need to wear a mask.If you’re not vaccinated yet — go to… https://t.co/02O6gTrSom
— President Biden (@POTUS) 1620946414.0

The Twitter account for President Biden also posted a proclamation, "The rule is now simple: get vaccinated or wear a mask until you do. The choice is yours."

The rule is now simple: get vaccinated or wear a mask until you do. The choice is yours.
— President Biden (@POTUS) 1620936760.0

There was an immediate backlash to Biden's "rule." Twitter reactions labeled the order as unconstitutional, and said the ultimatum wasn't really a "choice."

BlazeTV host Glenn Beck hurled back, "Hey #POTUS - the rule is simple. Kindly, screw off. You will find the rules in a little read document called 'the constitution'. The sequel is even better. You can find it on line under 'The Bill of Rights'. You and your authoritarian pals will find it a quick read."

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-K.Y.) countered the president on Twitter, "Show us in the Constitution where you have this power Mr @POTUS. (You don't)."

Rep. Paul Gosar (R- Ariz.) stated, "Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants."

Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.) retorted, "Requirement to do one or the other of two things demanded by another person, against your will, is not called a choice; it's called coercion, and we reject it in a free society."

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) reacted by saying, "No. 1) The federal government can't force you to wear a mask until you're vaccinated, 2) it would also have no way of tracking vaccinations, and 3) this doesn't account for natural antibodies."

BlazeTV host Chad Prather fired back, "Eat s**t Adolph."

Donald Trump Jr tweeted, "Um, team Biden, Joe somehow got a hold of his Twitter account and is talking all crazy again."

Actor Rob Schneider snapped back, "The rule is even simpler, YOU are an elected official of a Republic, not a doctor or Russian Czar, therefore it is the citizens who will make THEIR OWN HEALTH DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES. The CHOICE IS INDEED FOR EACH AND EVERY FREE AMERICAN AS THEY SEE FIT!"

Conservative comedians the Hodge Twins pointed out, "Choice is a decision between a several options. An ultimatum is a final demand of terms, the rejection of which will result in retaliation or a breakdown in relations. Dictators and their sheep usually can't tell the difference because you're idiots."

Conservative activist Scott Presler explained, "The rule is simple: the government has no authority to tell me how to live as a private citizen & I'm not forced to disclose my health. We can defeat this authoritarian gov't by electing more leaders, like Ron DeSantis."

Sebastian Gorka, the former deputy assistant to former President Donald Trump, quipped, "My body. My choice buster."

Cultural critic James Lindsay replied, "We have replaced 'mean' tweets with nakedly authoritarian ones. This is fine."

Mediaite senior columnist John Ziegler responded by saying, "If Trump had been pro-mask from the start & said this now, the woke crowd would be taking to the streets. This is clearly a move to help the mask cult accept this new edict by making them feel better knowing they can still feel morally superior to, & be allowed to shame, others."

One commenter added, "You nor the government have any sort of authority to force me or any other person for that matter to wear a mask. Plain and simple. Time for bed Joe."

Another person noted, "Biden is vocally tougher on unvaccinated Americans than terrorists who hacked American infrastructure."

Someone wrote, "Imagine what the media would say if Trump tweeted this."

A Twitter user joked, "I 'identify' as someone who is vaccinated."

Fixed it for you https://t.co/oNkMezXKSD https://t.co/rm81qmCdDL
— The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 (@ColumbiaBugle) 1620950288.0

Top Whitmer aide travels to Florida despite Michigan governor issuing spring break travel warning

A top aide of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took a spring break trip to Florida with family. Only days earlier, the Democratic governor of Michigan warned her constituents about travel because of concerns of spreading COVID-19.

Tricia Foster, Whitmer's chief operating officer, posted photos on Facebook of her family vacationing in Siesta Key, a popular beach tourist destination on the Gulf of Mexico about an hour south of Tampa.

Photos on Foster's Facebook page obtained by Breitbart show her teenage daughters and friends enjoying a spring break vacation in the resort town that has far fewer coronavirus restrictions than Michigan's COVID-19 constraints, which many deem to be excessive and draconian. Foster, her daughters, and their friends are seen maskless and are not practicing social distancing in the social media posts.

NEW: Gov. Whitmer's top aide Tricia Foster defies governor's travel warnings, travels to Florida for spring break v… https://t.co/UCtjmAy31j
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911)1618086790.0

"The photos no longer appeared on Foster's timeline Friday afternoon, but the Free Press spoke to a Facebook friend of Foster who saw the beach photos before they were taken down," according to the Detroit Free Press.

However, Whitmer issued a travel warning to Michiganians on April 2, especially traveling to Florida.

"Whitmer said she is concerned about spring break and people traveling, with many going between Michigan and Florida," the Detroit Free Press reported. "If people do travel, she said they should work from home and have school from home for a least a week when they return, assess whether they need a COVID-19 test and get vaccinated."

"Students and families traveling across Michigan, to other states or out of the country risk being exposed to and carrying COVID-19 with them," a press release from Whitmer's office stated. "This, in turn, could fuel outbreaks within their households and the communities where they live or visit."

Whitmer's office did not deny that Foster and her family traveled to Florida, but dismissed the report as a "partisan attack from a garbage white nationalist website."

"Trish Foster is fully recovered from COVID and fully vaccinated," Whitmer press secretary Bobby Leddy said.

When Leddy was asked whether Foster's daughters and her daughters' friends were fully vaccinated, the spokesperson responded, "I don't have anything additional to add."

Michigan currently leads the nation in new COVID-19 cases and positive test rates. Infections in the Wolverine state have increased for seven consecutive weeks.

"Officials are reporting more than 7,000 new infections each day, a sevenfold increase from late February," according to the Baltimore Sun. "And Michigan is home to nine of the 10 metro areas with the country's highest recent case rates."

"Policy change alone won't change the tide," Whitmer said on Friday. "We need everyone to step up and to take personal responsibility here."

Following the most recent surge of COVID-19 cases, Whitmer has asked that the public take a two-week break from indoor dining, in-person high school, and youth sports.

In January, Whitmer traveled to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration of President Joe Biden despite discouraging "Michiganders from traveling and attending gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic."

Last June, Whitmer flouted her own executive order mandating social distancing when she attended a George Floyd march and was photographed shoulder-to-shoulder with protesters.

Last May, Whitmer was embroiled in controversy when her husband reportedly attempted to use his influence to persuade a company to prioritize putting their family's boat in the water before Memorial Day weekend. Whitmer claims that her husband was simply making a joke when he told the company, "I am the husband to the governor, will this make a difference?" Whitmer had instructed her constituents not to vacation in the area where her family's boat was docked.

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Northeastern University dismisses 11 students for breaking COVID-19 rules by partying. They won’t get their $36,500 tuition back.

Northeastern University has dismissed 11 first-year students after they were allegedly caught at a party, a violation of the school's COVID-19 restrictions. The students who broke the university's social distancing rules will learn a very costly lesson because their tuition will reportedly not be refunded. That had better have been one heck of a party.

Northeastern University announced on Friday that it had dismissed 11 first-year students for violating "university and public health protocols that prohibit crowded gatherings." On Wednesday, the students threw a party at a hotel room at the Westin Hotel in Boston, which is being used as a temporary dormitory this semester. Staffers from the university claim the students were not wearing masks and not practicing social distancing.

On Friday, the students were notified that they were dismissed from Northeastern and must vacate the Westin within 24 hours. Before returning back to their homes, the students are required to take a COVID-19 test at the university. Anyone who tests positive "will be moved into wellness housing at the university until they have recovered, in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus." Once they quarantine and no longer test positive for coronavirus, they will be required to leave the campus.

The students will not be allowed to return to the school this semester and will not be permitted to take online courses. They will be able to return in the spring semester, according to Northeastern University spokesperson Renata Nyul.

The 11 dismissed students were all enrolled in the N.U.in Program, "an experiential, academic program that expands students' Northeastern education into worldwide locations." The program allows students to study abroad during their first semester of college.

The dismissed students prepaid this semester's tuition, which costs $36,500. Northeastern University will not refund that money, according to The Boston Globe. "Payments by the students will not be refundable, per guidelines of the N.U.in Program," Northeastern University said.

"On multiple occasions for the past week, students in the N.U.in Program have been formally notified that they must practice physical distancing, avoid crowds, and wear masks in the presence of other people," the school said. "The students were required to acknowledge that they had reviewed the program handbook, which included details of the COVID-19 requirements that are meant to keep everyone safe."

"Northeastern and its community of students, faculty, and staff take violations of health and safety protocols very seriously," Madeleine Estabrook, senior vice chancellor for student affairs at Northeastern, wrote in an Aug. 28 letter. "Cooperation and compliance with public health guidelines is absolutely essential. Those people who do not follow the guidelines—including wearing masks, avoiding parties and other gatherings, practicing healthy distancing, washing your hands, and getting tested—are putting everyone else at risk."

"Testing negative for COVID-19 is not enough," Estabrook continued. "We must practice all of the public health guidelines in order to keep ourselves and the community healthy. Together, we can keep each other safe, but it will require everyone's consistent cooperation."

The students are able to contest their dismissal at an expedited hearing.

Last month, Syracuse University suspended a group of students for "knowingly violating" New York state's mandatory quarantine order for out-of-state students.