On Texas Independence Day, Gov. Greg Abbott pronounced Texans free of a mask mandate he imposed last year. He also said businesses could return to 100 percent operational force.
That decision met with shouts of freedom, warnings of consequences, and calls to continue wearing masks and social distancing.
In lifting the ban, Abbott said, “With the medical advancements of vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus. We must now do more to restore liveli hoods and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas 100 percent. Make no mistake, COVID-19 has not disappeared, but it is clear from the recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations and safe practices that Texans are using that state mandates are no longer needed.”
The governor added, “Today’s announcement does not abandon safe practices that Texans have mastered over the past year. Instead, it is a reminder that each person has a role to play in their own personal safety and the safety of others. With this executive order, we are ensuring that all businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny.”
The Rockdale Reporter Facebook readers mirrored reaction around the rest of the state with some saying the governor’s action is coming too soon and others saying it’s about time.
While others were mixed on the two issues of reopening businesses and not being “forced” to wear a mask while around strangers.
“I agree with opening businesses but that is independent of masks. He was grossly premature eliminating mask mandates. We will watch who continues requiring masks and avoid the businesses that don’t. For the businesses that don’t continue to require masks, don’t expect us to return when the pandemic is history,” said one reader.
“This is pretty self explanatory. To everyone freaking out over Gov. Abbott lifting the mask mandate and allowing businesses to 100%, relax people. Remember he’s a Republican; a conservative. He’s not ordering you to take off your mask. He’s giving you the freedom to choose to take off or keep the mask. He’s not ordering businesses to open up 100%. He’s giving businesses the freedom to decide for themselves to what extent they want to open. It’s this little thing called ‘liberty.’ If you want to keep wearing the mask, keep wearing the mask. If you own a business and can survive at 30% capacity, and you want to stay at 30%, more power to you. If you’re afraid and want to stay home, stay home. The only thing the governor did was give you back your liberty. Thank him and exercise your freedom,” said another.
According to reports last week, three of Abbott’s medical advisers said he did not directly consult with them prior to the drastic shift in policy.
“We need to listen to the doctors and scientists and not to those same politicians that failed to winterize our electric grid. The motivation in both instances is the same: greedy politicians putting profit over public safety,” said one reader.
“I think reopening in stages would have been a better alternative and smarter decision. We did this same song and dance just one year ago and numbers exploded, causing everything to come to a screeching halt. Couple the rapid transition on the cusp of spring break, I foresee a huge spike in cases starting in late March into April, but we will see,” warned another.
But some readers feel they have heard mixed messages from health officials.
“It should be a choice, not forced. I wear mine, but others do not feel the same way I do. Those doctors and scientists have something new to say everyday and people are tired of it,” one said.
Several readers were squarely behind the governor’s decision as stated by one reader, whose words echoed others, “I agree with Abbott the faster the world opens up the faster everything can get behind us, and wear them if you want to they don’t work as much as people think.”
Business groups also backed the governor.
“Throughout the pandemic, Gov. Abbott has implemented measures that protect our communities, while ensuring Texans still have the ability to earn a paycheck and put food on their tables. Once again, the governor is striking the right balance by removing the heavy hand of government and allowing businesses to operate as they see fit. One year into dealing with COVID-19, organizations understand what protocols they must implement to function safely, and TAB knows Texas companies will operate responsibly,” said Glenn Hamer, CEO of the Texas Association of Business.
“The Texas Restaurant Association thanks Gov. Abbott for outlining a plan that will lift costly business restrictions for most of the state where we are seeing significant improvement in our COVID-19 case, hospitalization and vaccination numbers. We also thank the health-care workers, first responders and everyone else whose tireless work has enabled us to reach this point. What was originally planned as a two week closure to flatten the curve has become nearly one year of unprecedented challenges, wreaking havoc on the restaurant industry and families across Texas. For the thousands of local restaurants on the brink of closure and the 167,000 Texans that remain unemployed in our industry alone, there’s finally a light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel,” said a spokesman for the Texas Restaurant Association.
Lifting of the mandate will have little effect on area law enforcement, according to local leaders in the field.
“Gov. Abbott’s mask order specifically stated law enforcement could not detain an individual for the sole purpose of enforcing the mask mandate. The wording in the order prevented my officers from taking any enforcement actions against citizens as enforcement action would have required at least a temporary detention. I instructed my officers to only take enforcement action if a business asked a patron to leave their property, and the patron refused, resulting in a criminal trespass situation. So no enforcement action was taken by the Rockdale Police Department,” Rockdale Police Chief Jerry Meadors said.
“During the pandemic and mandate by Gov. Abbott, we were never called to a business to enforce said mandate. We will continue to respond to calls for service, no matter the issue. If called to an issue regarding a mask, as with any call, we will assess the situation and handle the call accordingly.” Milam County acting Sheriff Mike Clore said.
County Judge Steve Young, who is spearheading the county’s fight against COVID-19, said removing the mandate does not mean masks should stop being worn.
“Even though Gov. Abbott’s Executive Order 29 is being rescinded, it does not mean that wearing a mask is a bad idea. To the contrary it is the best thing we have short of vaccinations to prevent the spread. So do your part, wear a mask,” County Judge Steve Young said in a statement last week.
And many readers agree with the judge as reflected in this comment from one reader, “I hope Judge Young continues to advise what is and is not safe. If there is ambiguity about mask wearing, I will just stay home because of my health risk with preexisting conditions.”
The Rockdale Independent School District issued this statement following the governor’s decision: “Following TEA’s guidance, Rockdale ISD will continue its current practice of requiring face coverings for all students and all staff members for the remainder of this school year.
“The TEA guidance states, in part: ‘Schools must comply with the following requirements: Every student, teacher, or staff member shall wear a mask over the nose and mouth when inside a school building, school facility, facility used for school activities, or when in an outdoor space on school property…’ This guidance also applies to any adult visitor on a campus or school facility for any event or activity. Rockdale ISD will continue its social distancing and cleaning procedures as outlined in RISD’s Learn Safe Protocols.
“We all desire a return to normal, but the safety of our staff and students will remain the priority in our school district. Rockdale ISD has experienced a relatively low number of positive COVID-19 cases this year, and we believe this correlates to the safety procedures that have been in place for the entirety of the school year.
“Additionally, the proper use of face coverings is a mitigating factor in determining the definition of ‘close contact’ during contact tracing, per TEA guidelines. Therefore it reduces the likelihood of having to quarantine large groups of students at one time. Rockdale ISD is striving to provide a safe learning environment for all students and staff while also keeping our campuses open for the remainder of the year.”
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