Hello from Texas — the home of barbecue, bluebonnets, and Matthew McConaughey. You might want to check on us because we are certainly not okay, okay, okay.
This week, Governor Greg Abbott announced an Executive Order that removes the mask mandate in Texas and allows all businesses and facilities in the state to operate at full capacity starting March 10th. That’s right—100% open. All of it. Everywhere. No masks required at all. Sounds great, right? Abbott claims that individuals can choose whether or not to wear a mask or practice social distancing, even as new variants of the virus are emerging. This announcement comes just in time for Spring Break, which seems incredibly premature!
So, congratulations, Texas! You are now free to gather in large crowds, party it up, and spread a deadly virus instead of experiencing the “inconvenience” of wearing a mask or caring for others. Because FREEDOM!
Did I miss the memo that COVID has been magically wiped out? Nope, that didn’t happen. Not even close. In fact, Texas is still facing a concerning spread of the virus, averaging over 200 reported deaths daily this past week. Since the pandemic began, there have been 2.6 million COVID cases in our state. And as of this week, less than 7% of Texans are fully vaccinated.
BIPOC communities, especially Hispanics and other Texans of color, have been hit hardest by this pandemic. But who cares about them, right? I just need to get to my local arcade!
Greg Abbott seems to think that Texans can manage themselves responsibly. Seriously? These are the same folks who say they “ain’t living in fear” but feel the need to carry firearms while grocery shopping. Recently, a man even accidentally shot himself in a rather sensitive area while shopping. Not exactly the best advertisement for self-regulation, if you ask me!
Texas is the only state where certain areas have a speed limit of 85 mph. Yes, you read that correctly.
In a bizarre twist, a woman was banned from Walmart for riding an electric shopping cart while sipping wine from a Pringles can at 9 AM. Okay, maybe that’s a bad example — she’s definitely a mood!
Could this sudden announcement be an attempt to distract from the recent winter storm that left millions of Texans without power and heat for days? This is just another one of Abbott’s failures, especially after “Cancun Cruz” — Ted’s embarrassing getaway to Mexico during the crisis. While some people are still without basic necessities, at least you don’t have to wear a mask while waiting in line for food and water! Thanks, Governor!
Abbott points to decreasing COVID numbers but conveniently ignores that those numbers have been hard to track recently because, oh I don’t know, WE HAD NO POWER, WATER, OR TESTING FACILITIES OPEN! This makes absolutely no sense.
Before the restrictions were lifted, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, along with other Democratic leaders, urged Abbott to keep the mask mandate, arguing it was too soon and dangerous. Naturally, their concerns were brushed aside.
Former US Rep. Beto O’Rourke, rumored to be running against Abbott in 2022, tweeted that this decision is essentially a death sentence for Texans, claiming Abbott is “killing the people of Texas.” Strong words, but perhaps true!
Fortunately, many Texas restaurants and businesses disagree with Abbott’s reckless decision and plan to maintain safety measures. I, along with many others, find comfort in this. While I sympathize with affected businesses (including our own), it’s simply not time to relax restrictions or ditch masks. We’re not there yet. Thankfully, most thoughtful Texans will continue to prioritize science over the governor’s agenda. They will adhere to CDC guidelines by limiting capacity, wearing masks, offering digital menus, and providing hand sanitizers. By taking these precautions and waiting until most Texans are vaccinated, we might eventually be okay, okay, okay.
Especially if we can get a new governor in 2022.
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Summary:
Texas is in turmoil as Governor Greg Abbott lifts mask mandates and allows businesses to operate at full capacity, despite a concerning number of COVID cases and deaths. Many Texans are worried about the impulsive nature of this decision, especially as marginalized communities continue to suffer disproportionately. Several local leaders and businesses are pushing back against these measures and opting to prioritize safety. The hope remains that a more responsible leadership will emerge in the next election.