Evan J. LancasterThe COVID-19 epidemic has caused controversy in Orange County. After facing several threats and public backlash regarding a face mask order issued in May, County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick has resigned.
The threats also caused Quick to seek additional personal security, after protesters began showing up at her home.
Quick announced her departure from the OC Health Care Agency effective the evening of June 8.
The mask order, which Quick issued on May 28, required all Orange County residents to wear a cloth face covering, when social distancing is not possible.
“All Orange County residents and visitors shall wear a cloth face-covering outside their home when they are not able to maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from another person who is not a family/household member or does not reside in the same living unit. The cloth face-covering order SHALL NOT APPLY to the following persons:
- Children under the age of 2;
- Anyone who has trouble breathing, or who is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face-covering without assistance; or
- Persons with a medical or mental health condition or development disability that prevents wearing a cloth face-covering.”
However, Orange County residents were not pleased, and have since spoke out in numbers at the County Board of Supervisors meeting.
The Board of Supervisors appointed Dr. Clayton Chau, M.D., Ph.D. as the interim County Health Officer at the June 9 Board of Supervisors meeting.
While the county awaits approval to reopen businesses, it will do so at the direction of its newly appointed head health official. Chau is expected to issue an update to the county’s mask ordinance on Thursday.
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