By Daisy Polowetzky '23
After a year of the pandemic, the U.S has surpassed over 500,000 deaths, experienced record unemployment, and has left millions wondering when life will go back to normal. Should we risk lives in order to feel closer to normalcy? Judging by the actions of some Southern governors, it appears that the answer is yes.
On March 2nd, Republican Governor of Texas Greg Abbott issued an executive order, lifting the state’s mask mandate and opening Texas 100 percent. During Abbott’s press conference announcing the executive order, he stated that “[This] 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.” This idea that Texans can “determine their own destiny,” has led to some business owners facing major backlash from customers if they decided to impose mask rules. According to The Texas Tribune, employees at a Mexican restaurant in Houston were faced with people threatening to call ICE because they required masks at their business. When some Texans hear about the idea of “determining their own destiny,” they believe it gives them the green light for racism and the disregard of others' health.”
In a press release from Governor Abbott’s office, it was stated that “Nearly 5.7 million vaccine shots have been administered to Texans, and the state is now administering almost one million shots each week.” This sounds promising, but when you break down Texas’s vaccination rates per capita, Texas ranks 47th in the country, vaccinating just 20,543 people out of 100,000, according to a report from ABC 8. Throughout the pandemic, the CDC has highly recommended the use of face coverings such as cloth face masks, or medical masks. So, it comes as no surprise that CDC director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky responded to Texas’s lift of restrictions by saying, “I think we at the CDC have been very clear that now is not the time to release all restrictions.”
Although Governor Abbott believes it is safe to ease up mask mandates, some Texas officials are not so sure. Austin, Texas, for example, the state’s fourth largest city, is still enforcing mask wearing, limiting travel, and reducing business capacity. Austin City Council member Greg Casar told Newsweek, “In Austin, we're committed to saving lives. Period. If state officials don't want to do their jobs protecting people from the virus, then we will.” This seems to be the feeling with other Texas officials such as Austin City Mayor Steve Adler who told CBS Austin that “with bars and businesses opening up during spring break under the relaxed conditions, ... the number of people indoors without masks could be problematic.”
It is clear that there are contrasting feelings in Texas when it comes to COVID. Although Governor Abbott may think the decisions he makes will impact only Texans, the precedent the Lone Star State sets has the ability to influence other Southern states. In fact, like dominos, Mississippi has lifted all mask mandates, and allowed full capacity in businesses. South Carolina ended mask requirements in federal buildings and restaurants. West Virginian bars and restaurants can operate at 100 percent capacity. We must continue to be more responsible than those in power, adhere to COVID restrictions, and listen to scientists. Ultimately, the future of reopening the country safely is in our hands.
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