A revolt against wearing masks creates a new coronavirus danger as California reopens
LA TimesPeople walk along Harbor Boulevard in downtown Fullerton on Thursday, some wearing masks, some not. Instead, Orange County “strongly recommends” wearing masks in public settings, and the county’s top health official was left to explain the change even while acknowledging face coverings could prevent more deaths. “I want to be clear: This does not diminish the importance of face coverings,” said Orange County Health Care Agency Director Dr. Clayton Chau, who is now also the interim health officer. “I stand with the public health experts and believe wearing cloth face coverings helps to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and save lives.” Other counties have also buckled to public pressure. The Orange County battle began in May, when then-county health officer Dr. Nichole Quick issued an order mandating that county residents and visitors wear cloth face coverings while in a public place, at work or visiting a business where they are unable to stay six feet apart.