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Orange County Coronavirus

Coronavirus Mask Enforcement in OC Remains Unclear as Two Largest Cities Are Being Hit Hard

JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

Protestors at the Open California protest on May 1, in Huntington Beach.

By Spencer Custodio Spencer Custodio | June 19, 2020
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Orange County’s enforcement of the new state-mandated coronavirus mask order is unclear, as the virus continues to spread, especially in OC’s two biggest cities, Anaheim and Santa Ana. 


Editor’s Note: As Orange County’s only nonprofit & nonpartisan newsroom, Voice of OC brings you the best, most comprehensive local Coronavirus news absolutely free. No ads, no paywalls. We need your help. Please, click here to make a tax-deductible donation today to support your local news.


On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom rolled out a mandatory mask order for the entire state – fresh on the heels of a tense debate among Orange County supervisors about walking back local mask orders.

County Health Care Agency Director and interim Health Officer, Dr. Clayton Chau, earlier this week said he and other health staff were reviewing the state’s new mask order and didn’t have specifics on what enforcement will look like. 

Chau also stood by the effectiveness of the masks at a Thursday press conference and addressed the anti-mask group that has been showing up at the Supervisors meetings to rail against masks during public comments. 

“To the opponents, I’ve said this, you heard me say it from day one … that is the mask is to protect others, to protect your neighbors. Not necessarily very much about you,” Chau said. “That’s the point I was trying to drive through.” 

Chau cited a series of recent studies that show masks work to help limit the spread. 

“I believe in what science says.” 

Sheriff Don Barnes previously said he wouldn’t enforce the mask order as Orange County had its own order briefly, issued abruptly just before Memorial Day weekend by former Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick late last month as restaurants and shopping malls began reopening. 

“We are not the mask police nor do I intend to be the mask police,” Barnes told Supervisors at the May 26 meeting. 

“So I know there is a ‘shall’ order. Our deputies always have … fallen back on education first to take appropriate measures. But we are not and have not dealt through these issues through enforcement. And I will direct my staff not to direct any enforcement towards the shall issue mask requirement,” Barnes said.

Quick faced a wave of pushback from County Supervisors and residents following her order. She abruptly resigned June 8, following threats from residents and at least one protest in front of her house. 

Chau, a psychiatrist by training who heads up the OC Health Care Agency and was appointed as Acting Public Health Director by supervisors after Quick resigned, quickly walked the order back on June 11 despite his support for the science behind masking. 

Supervisor Michelle Steel, who’s publicly questioned the science behind masks, announced earlier this week that Orange County’s virus numbers are better than neighboring counties. 

“Orange County’s number of COVID-19 have continued to remain lower than our surrounding counties and regions,” Steel said at the Thursday news conference. “Orange County continues to see the lowest rate of confirmed cases and the lowest rate of COVID-19 related deaths compared to our neighboring counties.” 

Steel’s comments have turned out to be off the mark. 

But  recent death and hospitalization rates in Orange County are actually worse than three out of the four neighboring counties.

In recent days, OC consistently has seen higher hospitalization and death rates than San Bernardino, San Diego and Riverside counties. Orange County’s rates continue to climb faster than the surrounding counties.

The virus has now killed 257 people — including seven new deaths today — out of 9,576 confirmed cases, according to the OC Health Care Agency’s Friday numbers. 

There were also 336 hospitalized, including 142 in intensive care units. Nearly 4,600 people have recovered and almost 203,000 tests have been conducted throughout OC, which is home to 3.2 million people. 

OC’s two largest cities, Anaheim and Santa Ana, continue to be hit hardest by the virus.

Anaheim has 1,839 confirmed cases and Santa Ana has 2,055. 

Taken together, the two cities have 40 percent of all of OC’s cases, but make up roughly 22 percent of the county’s total population. 

“These two cities keep me up at night,” said Chau earlier this week at the press conference in response to Voice of OC questions about Anaheim and Santa Ana. “We have started the conversation with a group of community based organizations, with the city councils, with the school districts,” Chau said. “We just about two weeks ago started the conversation. We’re going to drill down into the number.” 

Chau said he’s formed a task force to look into the rising cases in Anaheim and Santa Ana to help better educate residents on the issue. 

And more resources could be directed at the two cities, which have large working class populations. 

“To go into the community, what we need to do is educate the community on what does it mean when you have tested positive [for] COVID,” Chau said. “And also provide the services that is much needed, housing and social services.”

And he expressed concern that the virus is hitting Latino and Black communities harder than other groups. 

Latinos make up over 34 percent of OC’s population and account for 39 percent of cases and 34 percent of deaths.  

Just over 2 percent of residents are Black, and the community has one percent of the cases and two percent of deaths. 

“The two ethnic communities that are disproportionately affected is the Latinx community and the Black community,” Chau said. “Those are the two communities that keep me up at night.”

Here’s the latest on the virus numbers across Orange County from county data: 

Spencer Custodio is a Voice of OC staff reporter. You can reach him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerCustodio

How can I sign up for a vaccine?

For full details on the COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County view our Voice of OC vaccine page that is constantly updated and has links of where to register for an appointment: http://bit.ly/occovidvaccine.

What is COVID-19? Do I have it?

INFORMATION View the CDC website. View OC's website. View the latest OC case counts.

TRANSLATIONS See the county's guides in non-English languages. Learn key Coronavirus facts in Vietnamese and Spanish via VietRise. See VietRISE guides in Spanish and Vietnamese.

PROTECTION To limit exposure, the CDC recommends: wash your hands often, avoid close contact with others, cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask when around others, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

SYMPTOMS The CDC identifies these key symptoms that can occur any time between 2 and 14 days after exposure: Fever or chills, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches,  headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea. If you suspect Coronavirus, CALL your primary medical provider.

EMERGENCY SYMPTOMS If you display any of the following emergency warning signs, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face.

RISK The CDC identifies people most at risk for serious illness: Older adults, and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

What is open?

RESIDENTS The County of Orange offers a list of notices and news on what guidance is given for families and persons.

SCHOOLS The latest information for the county is available from the Orange County Board of Education.

STATE GUIDE TO WHAT IS OPEN A full list of statewide guidelines for what is open and what is closed.

SOCIAL DISTANCING Staying away from other people is called "social distancing." The aim is to SLOW the spread of Coronavirus so as to not overwhelm the nation's health care systems and so that people in need can get help. The Washington Post explains: "The spread (of COVID-19) can be slowed, public health professionals say, if people practice "social distancing" by avoiding public spaces and generally limiting their movement."

What support is available?

STRESS & ANXIETY Stress and anxiety can be triggered by the situation and resources are available to help from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and from the American Psychology Association. Concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious, here are tips on talking with children about COVID-19.

MENTAL HEALTH The County of Orange offers a list of available mental health support services.

FIRST RESPONDERS The County of Orange offers these support services for first responders and health care workers.

BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS The County of Orange offers a list of up-to-date guidelines for business and faith-based/community organizations.

FOOD ASSISTANCE Voice of OC offers a weekly list of available food pantries in Orange County. You can also apply for food benefits over the phone through the CalFresh program at 800-281-9799 or online.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Buses and trains still offer service, but routes have been reduced so make sure to check your route ahead of time.

HOMELESSNESS The County of Orange offers a list of available shelter beds and other resources.

GENERAL FINANCIAL HELP Here are some services:

  •   • Find information on unemployment and disability benefits.
  •   • The Orange County Social Services Agency, despite closing its lobby, is processing online filings for assistance programs. This includes emergency cash assistance for immediate needs like rent or medical bills. The phone line has averaged a 30 minute wait time and offers a callback service, but people are encouraged to apply for benefits online.
  •   • Residents can apply for any of these programs by calling 800-281-9799.

RESTAURANT OWNERS & EMPLOYEES You can find a detailed list of resources available to restaurant owners and employees

How can I help?

VOLUNTEERING A statewide guide offers examples of ways to volunteer safely during Coronavirus. Options include, but are not limited to: donating plasma, making cloth face masks and supporting local food banks. Orange County's Second Harvest Food Bank lists support options online.

DONATIONS An Orange County Community Resilience Fund has been started through the OC Community Foundation to raise money for local nonprofits and volunteer organizations.

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