Abbott Issues Executive Order on Mask Mandates
Governor Abbott again shows ignorance around protecting our communities:
He issued an executive order Tuesday that prohibits governmental entities in the state from requiring or mandating mask-wearing. According to the governor's order, this includes counties, cities, school districts, public health authorities, or government officials.
Public schools in Texas are allowed to follow current mask-wearing guidelines through June 4, the order states. But after that date, face masks are no longer required for students, teachers, parents, or other staff members on campus.
In a written statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Texas State Teachers Association President Ovidia Molina called Abbott's latest executive order "premature."
Molina said many students who will attend summer school this year haven't been vaccinated yet and won't complete their second dose of Pfizer well into the summer.
Places that are exempt from the governor's order include state-supported living centers, government-owned or operated hospitals, Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities, Texas Juvenile Justice Department facilities, and county and municipal jails.
The governor's office said beginning May 21, local government officials who try to impose a mask mandate or anything that conflicts with Abbott's order can be subject to a fine of up to $1,000.
"The Lone Star State continues to defeat COVID-19 through the use of widely-available vaccines, antibody therapeutic drugs, and safe practices utilized by Texans in our communities," said Abbott.
The CDC said that all K-12 schools should "implement and layer prevention strategies and should prioritize universal and correct use of masks and physical distancing."
"The governor should have waited until the CDC issues new mask guidelines for the 2021-22 school year before acting on masking requirements in public schools. We know some school districts already have ended their mask mandates, and we believe that also is ill-advised. The health and safety of our students, educators, and communities must remain our first priority as we attempt to emerge from this pandemic," Molina said in a written statement Tuesday.
Texas Faculty Association President Pat Heintzelman also released a statement, asking Abbott to reconsider his order ending mask requirements in government facilities, including universities.
"We urge him to allow colleges and universities to continue requiring masks, at least until a larger number of Texans are vaccinated against the coronavirus," the statement partially reads.
from https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/governor-greg-abbott-executive-order-face-mask-mandate-may-2021/287-322009aa-f7c6-4920-8261-5a6818a52eef
