“We are now at a point where the virus is spreading so fast, there is little margin for error.” – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott |
TX governor issues mask order | Woman spits on 7-Eleven counter
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday ordered that face covering must be worn in public across most of the state, a dramatic ramp-up of the Republican’s efforts to control spiking numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.
The order applies to counties with at least 20 positive COVID-19 infections.
Abbott, who had pushed Texas’ aggressive reopening of the state economy in May, had previously said the government could not order individuals to wear masks. His prior virus-related orders had undercut efforts by local governments to enforce mask requirements.
But faced with dramatically rising numbers of both newly confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus and the number of patients so sick they needed to be hospitalized, Abbott changed course with Thursday’s mask order.
It requires “all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions,” the governor’s office said.
“We are now at a point where the virus is spreading so fast, there is little margin for error,” Abbott said. (Story continues below video … )
Texas woman spits on counter, leaves without beer after being told to wear a mask: VIDEO (full story below)
Texas reported 7,915 newly confirmed cases, a slight dip after zooming past the 8,000 mark for the first time on Wednesday.
The 7,382 hospitalizations means the state has more than quadrupled its numbers in that category since the end of May.
The true number of cases is likely much higher because many people have not been tested and studies suggest that people can be infected and not feel sick.
Abbott’s action comes as Texans approach the Fourth of July weekend, a time usually marked by gatherings and parties. Along the coast, local officials have said that access to many beaches will be restricted.
And a lakeside concert by 1990s rapper Vanilla Ice that was set to take place outside of Austin on Friday was postponed after being criticized for planning to gather hundreds of fans in one of the nation’s coronavirus hot spots.
The mask order takes effect Friday and the minimum case count would cover most of the state’s 254 counties and most of the population. Counties with fewer than 20 cases cover mostly rural areas and will be allowed to apply with the governor’s office for an exemption.
The order also applies to the Texas GOP Convention in Houston in two weeks — which is still pressing forward after party leaders late Thursday voted against switching to a virtual gathering.
The convention typically draws thousands of attendees, and some party activists criticized Abbott’s mandate while backing a three-day, in-person event starting July 16.
Mask order violators can be fined up to $250. There are exceptions for people who have a medical condition or disability, who are exercising outdoors, or who are participating in a religious service or voting. Texas this week began its monthlong early voting period for its primary elections.
Abbott also gave mayors and county authorities the ability to ban outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people.
In his order and a statement, Abbott said wearing a mask is a proven method to slowing down the virus’ spread and said if Texans comply “more extreme measures may be avoided.”
Abbott has said he doesn’t want to roll back his previous orders to reopen the economy. But last week he moved to reclose bars and limit dine-in capacity in restaurants to 50%.
“We have the ability to keep businesses open and move our economy forward so that Texans can continue to earn a paycheck, but it requires each of us to do our part to protect one another — and that means wearing a face covering in public spaces,” Abbott said.
Abbott has been under extreme pressure from both Democrats and Republicans on his reopening plans.
Democrats, most notably the leadership of the state’s largest cities, have complained Abbott reopened Texas too quickly and have pointed to the record numbers of confirmed new cases and hospitalizations.
Conservative lawmakers battered Abbott’s early moves to combat the virus, including business, school and child-care closures and a stay-at-home order that expired in May.
In April, Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called attempts by local governments in the Houston area to enforce mask orders with fines the “ultimate government overreach.”
“The move to mandate facemasks comes far too little, far too late for Governor Abbott,” Texas Democratic Party Communications Director Abhi Rahman said. “Texans are still getting sick. Families are still suffering …
All of this could have been prevented if Governor Abbott had listened to experts and medical professionals in the first place.”
The Texas Medical Association applauded the mask order.
“There is no question about it, face masks reduce the spread of COVID-19. They help protect the people wearing masks, and they help protect the people around them,” said the association’s president, Dr. Diana L. Fite.
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COMMENTS ON GOV. ABBOTT’S MASK RULES:
“It’s about time.” – San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, July 2, 2020
“It’s easy to say let’s do something to make everyone feel good, but how do you enforce it?” – Denton County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell, July 1, 2020
“A one-size-fits-all approach is not the best option. We should trust local officials to make informed choices about health policy. And if mayors are given the opportunity to require face coverings, we believe our cities will be ready to help reduce the spread of this disease.” – Letter signed by mayors of Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, El Paso, Arlington, San Antonio, Austin, Plano, and Grand Prarie, Texas, June 16, 2020
Perhaps the most emphatic reaction came from a woman trying to buy beer in Fort Worth …
Texas woman spits on counter after being told to wear a mask
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A Texas woman became verbally abusive and spit on the counter of a 7-Eleven after being told she needed to wear a face mask in order to make a purchase.
In a video posted on Facebook, the cashier at the Fort Worth store appears to be telling the woman she cannot buy the beer and candy because she is not wearing a mask.
The video shows the woman arguing with the cashier, saying she has a right in America not to wear a mask. The clerk points at a sign on the door that tells customers they’re required to do so.
In Tarrant County, customers are required to wear masks inside of businesses to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Businesses that do not require customers to wear face masks are in violation of the order.
Videos of people refusing to wear a mask in public places and reacting aggressively have become common on social media.
