As coronavirus cases surge, California is the latest state to require face masks [View all]
There are several reasons why some Americans might refuse to wear a face mask, even in states where it is required. It could be an act of rebellion, which is not an uncommon response in times of heightened uncertainty. It could be related to one’s gender, political affiliation, or because of skepticism about whether wearing masks limits the spread of the coronavirus. For people in that last camp, there’s new evidence to consider.
At least 230,000 cases of coronavirus may have been prevented due to government orders requiring face masks in 15 states and the District of Columbia, according to a new study by two University of Iowa professors, Wei Lyu and George Wehby, published in “Health Affairs,” a peer-reviewed journal. (A second more fully edited version of the study is set to appear in the August issue of Health Affairs.)
On Thursday, California became the latest state requiring masks, issuing a state mandate that most of the state’s nearly 40 million residents wear face masks in public. Previously only essential-business employees had been required to wear them.
States including Arizona, Texas and Florida — where daily cases of coronavirus have recently hit record highs — don’t have state-wide mask mandates. In Arizona and Texas, Republican governors have given mayors the authority to mandate masks in their respective cities, but mayors in Florida have not been given the same authority.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/after-seeing-the-highest-daily-spike-in-coronavirus-cases-california-made-face-masks-mandatory-heres-why-other-states-may-want-to-follow-its-lead-2020-06-19?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo
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