As states and cities debate rules surrounding masks as areas begin to reopen, California joined the fray on Thursday by mandating face coverings in most public places.
Gov. Gavin Newsom wears a protective mask on his face while speaking to reporters at Miss Ollie's ... [+] 
" Over the last four months, we have learned a lot about COVID-19 transmission, most notably that people who are infected but are asymptomatic or presymptomatic play an important part in community spread. The use of face coverings by everyone can limit the release of infected droplets when talking, coughing, and/or sneezing, as well as reinforce physical distancing," the order says.
The order will apply to residents of Orange County, where the county's former chief health officer Nichole Quick resigned after she was threatened by residents and questioned by the board of supervisors for enacting a mandatory mask order. Orange County eventually lifted the mask order on June 11 after Quick's resignation.
Masks have emerged as a new coronavirus culture war, pitting some Democrats, who support face mask requirements, against some Republicans. Though cases are increasing in Texas and Arizona, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas and Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona, both Republicans, have said masks should be worn in public, but have not issued any statewide mandate. And Trump said in an interview on Thursday that some Americans may wear masks just to spite him personally.
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