People living in Orange County, California, won’t be required to wear masks in public after major pushback over the use of face coverings in the area, according to The Los Angeles Times.
What’s going on:
- Orange County Health Care Agency Director Dr. Clayton Chau released new health guidelines amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Originally, masks were required in public. Now masks are strongly recommended, according to The Los Angeles Times.
- Chau said: “I want to be clear: This does not diminish the importance of face coverings. 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. By being consistent with the state, this will give our business community and individuals the ability to make the most appropriate decision for them and their situation.”
- Chau said: The new order “will no longer require that most residents wear a face covering, but strongly recommends that they should when outside of their home and unable to physically distance themselves by 6 feet from others.”
- Chau said the decision was made to align with California’s guidelines and not because of public pushback.
Some public pushback
- Dr. Nichole Quick, the former chief health officer for Orange County, resigned after she received death threats for issuing a requirement to wear face masks within 6 feet of people, according to Business Insider.
- Protesters showed Quick as a Nazi. Residents read her home address during a meeting and threatened to have a protest outside of her house.
- Orange County Sheriff’s Department gave Quick a security detail to help keep her safe, per Business Insider.