Texas Governor Greg Abbott Lifts Mask Mandate as Covid Hospitalizations Fall

Governor Greg Abbott says Texas is lifting its mask mandate, making it the largest state to end an order intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus that has killed more than 42,000 Texans.

The Republican governor has faced sharp criticism from his party over the mandate, which was imposed eight months ago, and other COVID-19 restrictions. It was only ever lightly enforced, even during the worst outbreaks of the pandemic.

Texas will also do away with limits on the number of diners that businesses can serve indoors, said Abbott, who made the announcement at a restaurant in Lubbock. He said the new rules would take effect March 10.

"Removing statewide mandates does not end personal responsibility," said Abbott, speaking from a crowded dining room where many of those surrounding him were not wearing masks.

The decision comes as governors across the U.S. have been easing coronavirus restrictions, despite warnings from health experts that the pandemic is far from over. Like the rest of the country, Texas has seen the number of cases and deaths plunge. Hospitalizations are at the lowest levels since October, and the seven-day rolling average of positive tests has dropped to about 7,600 cases, down from more than 10,000 in mid-February.

Only California and New York have reported more COVID-19 deaths than Texas.

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[justinsmith]

Me: "Doctor, when will the covid pandemic end?"
Doctor: "I don't know. I'm not a politician."

[lulu]

Great!! People can wear masks forever if they want to, for the rest, we need to go on with our lives

[rockfan]

Greg Abbot is the person in the horror movie who sees the bad guy leaving and comes out of hiding 10 seconds too early

[zyrianaarenee]

I feel sorry 4 the teachers, officers, and other essential we workers who have to b in the faces of careless people

[Hgh]

No more masks

Karens: it is our time to rise

[footmerc]

Sounds good. Fair warning. Business owners that still require a mask can have the police escort you off the property. To all retailers: do not engage the public. You don't have the legal right to touch a customer. Simply call the police and have one of their own escort them off the property.

[copingsin]

Why are they clapping for? This is not football.

[SeanandYesy]

This is why the entire world laughs at us Americans.

[onceuponatimevlogs]

I did not know that Governor Abbott is a Doctor

[onlyme]

This is just to divert the attention of his failure on protecting citizen from the freeze that should not have happened.

[popoju]

no more mask mandate!!!???? what will the KARENS do then?? will go after food delivery guys, people fishing and kids playing.

[rubegoldburg]

Gregg is remarkable scientist and medical expert. He also is an expert on power grids.

[thanos]

Don’t be surprised when cases start to sky rocket

[michaelfrazer]

To soon the federal government has said no until May.. The vaccination numbers has as of yet drop the number count.

[thelonerider]

Wish they'd do that where I live. Most people who support mask mandates have probably never had to wear one for 8 hours lifting stuff in a hot warehouse, knowing full well they are being made miserable for nothing, as they are not sick. Mask mandates must seem like a mere slight inconvenience if you only ever have to put one on for the five minutes it takes to duck into a store, buy a six pack and cheetos, and run back to your couch. They call us essential workers what a laugh, if we're so essential how come they revel in treating us like crap while they sit on their butts?

[johntitor]

Let's see what happens, i hope for the best.

[tatianapetliar]

This is very good news for the funeral business. Crematoria will burn corpses without a break.

[tominator]

Health experts should make this call, not politicians. Right now, health experts are united in saying keep masks on. Dumb and reckless move

[overdriver]

How can we FIRE him.. I live in Texas. I don't feel good now....

[zyrianaarenee]

My new mission in life get him and Wolfman Cruz out of office