California orders people to wear masks in most indoor spaces
SACRAMENTO,
Calif. (AP) — California on Thursday started requiring people
throughout the state to wear masks in most indoor settings and outdoors
when distancing isn’t possible as the coronavirus continues to spread.
“Science
shows that face coverings and masks work,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a
statement about the new order. “They are critical to keeping those who
are around you safe, keeping businesses open and restarting our
economy.”
States including Michigan, New York, Maine, Delaware and Maryland already have statewide mask orders in place.
The
order came as California broadly reopens its economy. In most counties,
people can now shop, dine in at restaurants, get their hair done and go
to church, among other things. As restrictions relax, coronavirus cases
are increasing, something the state says was expected as more people
get tested. More than 3,400 infected people were hospitalized as of
Wednesday, the most since April.
The order requires people to wear
masks when inside or in line for any indoor public spaces, in
healthcare settings like hospitals and pharmacies, while waiting for or
riding public transportation and in outdoor spaces where it’s not
possible to stay six feet (1.8 meters) apart from others.
Until
now, the Democratic governor had allowed local governments decide
whether to mandate masks, an issue that has become politically fraught
as some Americans resist orders to wear them. Newsom said he issued the
order because too many people are going out in public without face
coverings as businesses, restaurants and other sectors of the economy
reopen.
The public health officer in Southern California’s Orange County resigned last week
after she faced threats over her order that people wear masks, and the
county sheriff said he wouldn’t enforce it. Los Angeles County requires
people to wear masks when outside their homes, as do San Francisco and
Santa Clara counties.
Republican Assemblyman James Gallagher said
he preferred letting locals decide and criticized Newsom for routinely
changing his mind on who sets virus-related rules.
“The governor
can’t seem to make up his mind if counties can govern themselves during
this pandemic. Perhaps if his guidance was more clear, Californians
would be better prepared to meet this moment,” he said in a statement.
Dr.
Clayton Chau, Orange County’s interim health officer, said the county
is still reviewing the state’s order, which would supersede his own.
Chau last week changed Orange County’s rules to recommend instead of
require masks, and said he hasn’t seen any data since that would make
him question that decision.
Kate Folmar, a spokeswoman for the
California Health and Human Services agency, said violating the order
could bring a misdemeanor charge, a fine, or other penalties, or that
California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health could take
action against businesses.
But Mark Ghaly, the agency’s
secretary, said the department doesn’t want to focus on enforcement and
expects most Californians will comply.
“We believe that enough
Californians are going to see this recommendation and carry it out, and
it’s going to allow us to make a substantial dent in transmission versus
if we didn’t do it collectively,” he said.
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said it’s an issue of individual responsibility, not law enforcement.
“County
residents will continue to use common-sense approaches for the benefit
of their own health, as well as the collective health of other county
residents,” he said.
Katrina Foley, mayor of the Orange County
city of Costa Mesa, said the state’s decision will take pressure off
businesses by making it clear masks are required. Her city has required
facial coverings even when the county hasn’t.
“Nobody wants to
have to arrest people for not wearing a facial covering. We just want
people to care about others, so people don’t die,” she said.
The
order also applies to workplaces where people interact with the public,
prepare or package food and share common spaces like hallways and
elevators. Office workers must wear masks if they can’t physically
distance.
It includes several exceptions, including for outdoor
recreation and exercise such as walking, hiking, running or bicycling.
But if people doing such activities can’t stay six feet (1.8 meters)
apart from others, the state says they should wear masks. Also outside,
Ghaly said people should consider wearing masks if they are at a crowded
intersection or in another space where they are close to others.
Brianna
Sims, a 21-year-old grocery store worker in Sacramento, said she agreed
with the order and that it’s been a mixed bag among customers when it
comes to people wearing masks.
Rey Kuvelis, 67, wore a mask as he
walked home from a beer run in Sacramento on Thursday. He wears his mask
whenever he leaves the house, but said he sees a lot of people without
them.
“I would be very upset with myself if I cause like 10 people to get it because of my negligence,” he said.
Other
exceptions include: Children 2 and younger; people with medical
conditions that prevent them from wearing masks; people who are deaf or
with hearing loss and those who communicate with them; and people
receiving treatments on their noses and mouths. There’s also an
exception if wearing a face covering would violate workplace safety
guidelines.
People eating out at restaurants wouldn’t have to
wear masks while they are eating and drinking as long as they are six
feet away f;om others.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
Taxin reported from Orange County, California.