That last part is of major importance but, strangely, Musk chose to overlook it. Hours after the Governor’s order came, he was calling workers back to to the Gigafactory, which led to Tesla being singled out by County officials and threatened with fines and / or imprisonment. The next move came from Musk, who sued the County on the grounds it was contradicting the governmental order and preventing the state’s economy from restarting.
The lawsuit was filed at the week end and is followed up by Musk’s statement that the Fremont facility is going back to work, local stay-at-home orders be damned. The outspoken CEO says an “unelected official” has no say to “illegally override” a government order, and argues that every other carmaker has been allowed back to work (which is not accurate, by the way), except for Tesla. Hence, discrimination.
“This is super messed up!,” he laments on social media. “Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules. I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me,” Musk adds in a second tweet.
While his stance against the County is seen by many as the most American thing to do right now, there are doubts as to the stated timeline of the restart at the facility. Word online is that, even before the lawsuit was filed, Tesla was already in business, having made about 200 vehicles, which were then immediately sent out.
There’s also a lot of talk about how Tesla, despite Musk’s assurances that all health precautions and safety measures have been taken to allow workers back to the facility, isn’t even offering them PPEs. They have to bring their own, which, if true, would be “super messed up!,” in Musk’s own words.
Yes, California approved, but an unelected county official illegally overrode. Also, all other auto companies in US are approved to resume. Only Tesla has been singled out. This is super messed up!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 11, 2020
Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules. I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 11, 2020
Tesla’s leaving the factory in Fremont on back of car carriers. Employee lot full, especially compared to Friday morning at this time. Company hasn’t confirmed whether manufacturing has ramped back up in defiance of Alameda County shelter in place order. #Tesla @nbcbayarea pic.twitter.com/sJakGxrrA2
— Bob Redell (@BobNBC) May 11, 2020
Did you bring your own PPE? https://t.co/8vpUmfj6Ke
— Stultus (@StultusVox) May 11, 2020