MASK MANDATES

The number of positive COVID-19 cases in hospitals continues to decline, putting Los Angeles County on track to lift certain mask mandates. If the trend continues for seven days, the lift will go into effect mid-week.

The current mask mandate includes outdoor mega events, which was largely ignored at the Super Bowl on Feb. 13. L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn voiced her concerns in the week leading up to the game, warning it may be a “Super Spreader-Bowl.” 

FUTURE OF LEGACY BOOSTS

Ivy League students are pressing for the end of legacy boosts—a practice that provides admission assistance for students of alumni. According to The Associated Press, hundreds of students and alumni from 30 colleges swore to retain financial donations because of this issue.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a sponsor of the movement, said legacy boosts provide support to predominantly white and wealthy legacy students, “leaving out millions of Black and brown kids,” AP News reported.

REVISIONS TO THREE-STRIKES LAW

A Committee on the Revision of the Penal Code, a seven-person California commission recommended a total repeal of the three-strike law, according to the Los Angeles Times. The law, which was passed in 1994 with 72% approval, sets lifetime prison sentences without possibility of parole. 

Requirements for repeal entail a statewide vote, leading the committee to propose modifications to the original code. The committee suggested an alteration of the law to require 25 years to life imprisonment for third felony convicts after two violent crimes.