Abbott defends scrapping mask mandate: It 'isn't going to make that big of a change'

[sabra]

Source: The Hill

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Thursday defended his decision to eliminate a statewide mask mandate amid an avalanche of criticism over the decision.

Abbott said in an interview with Fox News that officials in Austin are still advocating that Texans wear face coverings and that the state's residents are more aware now of how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

“We are still strongly advocating that every Texan follow the best practice. Where we are today is completely different from where we were this time last year when Texans and Americans didn’t know how to deal with this. For an entire year, Texans have learned the best practice, and that is to wear a mask, and we still strongly recommend that people do wear a mask,” he said.

“The mask requirement being eliminated isn’t going to make that big of a change in the state of Texas. Also, people in Texas will continue to wear a mask even though there’s not a state mandate. We’re just in a situation now where government mandates are not needed because Texans do know best practices,” he added.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/541615-abbott-defends-scrapping-mask-mandate-it-isnt-going-to-make-that-big-of

[Botany]

1. Boy somebody is trying to put the toothpaste back into the tube.

[bullimiami]

2. Will he put his job on the line for that bet? If numbers of sick and dead rise will he resign?

Thought not.

[Paladin]

3. Abbott wasn't smart enough to predict the shitshow his actions would cause.

Even in Texas, the response to his idiotic moves has been overwhelmingly negative. Serves Abbott right.

[MFGsunny]

17. THIS. Totally this! n/t

[Bengus81]

19. New covid cases in Texas have already gone from falling to an increase of 31%

And that asshat has barely started with his covid death march. Bet tourism really flourishes down thar.......

[Ms. Toad]

28. Too soon to see a response to lifting the mask mandate.

And there is too much volatility to see any clear trend over the past couple of weeks. I see the standard weekly volaitlity (weekend considerably lower than weekday).

I am not defending the assinine lifting of the mask mandate - just the implication that since the lifting of the mask mandate 2 days ago cases have jumped 31%.

[forthemiddle]

40. The mask mandate is still in effect

He kept it in place until March 10th, so the rise of cases isn’t due to lifting the mask mandate.

https://www.texastribune.org/2021/03/02/greg-abbott-texas-announcement/

[Bengus81]

42. And evidently people have been ignoring the mandate for weeks. Now up 51%

Up that much just over the last 2-3 weeks. But wait until Wed when everything reopens and NO mandates on mask unless the biz requires them.

Covid will explode again in Texas and new variants to boot. Yeeee hawww!!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

4. Just a few more people dying while gasping for air

[Jakes Progress]

22. Yeah. Poor people dying alone and in pain

so that a bar can open. Sounds good to him.

[Irish_Dem]

5. A crime boss dumping nuclear waste says it won't do that much damage to people.

[Cryptoad]

6. Must have a degree in,,,

Infectious diseases from U of Dumbfuckistan

[Stallion]

7. The ONLY Difference is the Political Grandstanding --er -- sitting in the case of Abbott

[Midnightwalk]

8. How does that "logic" work. Answer: it's pure lunacy.

Masks help and most people use masks so it probably doesn’t hurt too much to get rid of the mandate?

The only reason to get rid of the mandate is to encourage people to not wear masks. The timing tells me that spring break tourists are one of the prime target groups. Texan tourists but also tourists from other states.

It would be bad enough if only Texas was impacted. The super spread spring break events are going to impact the rest of the country.

Doing this now when when the vaccinated rate is still too low and while new strains are growing is pure lunacy.

[Lonestarblue]

9. Abbott needed to take the attention off his miserable job on the energy failure.

Even many businesses do not support this move because it forces them to police mask wearing. Or just to give it up. The two grocery stores I go to most will no longer require masks, in spite of the fact that only about 10% of people have been vaccinated and the risk of infection is still vey high. I will be shopping at other stores until the virus is under better control.

Deaths have declined to around 60 per day, so Abbott is saying that he is fine with 60 people dying every day so that the bars and gyms and restaurants can be crowded once again. He is just disgusting.

[LizBeth]

10. I talked to a friend. One in the panhandle and one in Austin. The one in Austin said about 80%

wearing mask. In panhandle 65-70%. Without the mandate it takes away the legs for businesses to insist and I see the numbers dropping significantly.

In my area in Oregon for the last 6 months I have seen literally 100% wear masks and at least 98% with it over their nose. Big difference.

Totally unscientific or fact based.

[Akoto]

11. Now that they know best practice for themselves and others, we're just freeing them to ignore it! nt

[area51]

12. Abbott: "It 'isn't going to make that big of a change'"

Pretty sure he's going to be proven wrong, not that he cares. He already has his "alibi" lined up, as he's said immigrants are bringing Covid-19.

[IcyPeas]

16. funny, his wife is of Mexican descent (from wikipedia)

Personal life

Abbott, a Roman Catholic, is married to Cecilia Phalen Abbott, the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants.[184][185][186] His election as governor of Texas makes her the first Latina to be the first lady of Texas since Texas joined the union.[185][187] They have one adopted daughter, Audrey.

[Warpy]

13. "They'll be so damn glad to get rid of them masks they'll forget about freezing nearly to death"

Yeah, crystal clear, you sick bastard.

[dalton99a]

14. Abbott has nothing but contempt for public health officials. He'll cook the numbers.

Just watch

[C Moon]

15. He's giving himself an "out" by saying Texans will continue to wear masks.

If the numbers go through the roof, he'll back track and say, "I guess they didn't know."
He needs to be run out of that office. He doesn't care about Texans.
He only cares about the GOP.

[yellowdogintexas]

29. we will likely see a reduction in mask wearing here in Tarrant County

there was already resistance to wearing them in certain groups

[C Moon]

33. That would happen anywhere. He's an idiot if he thinks citizens will continue mask-wearing.

yellowdog: I wish you the best. I hope the virus doesn't grow from his irresponsible decision.

[C Moon]

34. On top of the non-masking, I think there will be more violence toward those wearing masks.

It was a 100% political move, that I hope buries his political career.

[rustysgurl]

18. If it's not going to make that big of a change

why do it? Why the big announcement? You made a Federal case out of it -- own it.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

20. If the state is declared to be 100% open for business, are employees who refuse to return

until the recommended level of vaccinations is achieve still eligible for unemployment? I doubt it, because they are not working by choice, and not because of businesses being closed of necessity.

There's always an angle.

[Jakes Progress]

21. What abbot means by not that big a change.

He means that it's not like his parents or children will die. He and his all got their vaccines.

Plus, most of those that do get sick and or die will be poor and not white.

Plus, the yahoos that are stupid enough to vote for the governor that cut off their water and shut off their electricity during a winter emergency are stupid enough to think this is a good idea. He knows that it's not like smart people are going to vote for him.

[BumRushDaShow]

23. "government mandates are not needed"... except

if you are a minority trying to vote and then suddenly "government mandates", along with multiple lawsuits against OTHER states for how those states handle voters and voting, are suddenly "justified".

[Javaman]

24. it will two weeks after march 10th when cases spike again

he's still a fucking sociopathic asshole.

[yellowdogintexas]

30. right around spring break.

increase will continue through April at least

There is a strong likelihood of a "Texas Variant" in a few months

[William Seger]

25. Nah, that's not Neanderthal thinking

It's shit-for-brains thinking.

[Evolve Dammit]

26. He's a fool. Remove him TX after the numbers soar.

[IzzaNuDay]

27. Can Texans recall a governor?

I think they might strongly consider it! This one is clearly trying to kill the citizens off!

[yellowdogintexas]

31. no we can't. Not that many states have recall

We hear the most about California because the citizens don't hesitate to start one.

I am not sure which other states have it, but we do not. Not that we would be able to make much use of it in this heavily Republican state

[myohmy2]

32. c'mon Joe...

...stop sending precious COVID vaccine to states that don't give a fuck...

...let the assholes wait until we're vaccinated...

...it's only fair...

[DVDGuy]

35. Try this analogy ...

“We are still strongly advocating that every Texan follow the best practice. Where we are today is completely different from where we were a hundred years ago when Texans and Americans didn’t know how to deal with this. For an entire century, Texans have learned the best practice, and that is to observe traffic lights, and we still strongly recommend that people do observe traffic lights,” he said.

“The traffic lights rule being eliminated isn’t going to make that big of a change in the state of Texas. Also, people in Texas will continue to follow traffic lights even though there’s not a state mandate. We’re just in a situation now where government mandates are not needed because Texans do know best practices,” he added.

[Mendocino]

36. Texas

About 2.7m cases, 45k deaths.

No big deal !

[jpak]

37. Fucking D-bag

Yup

[tonekat]

38. I hope Texans have made their wills.

Don't know what the laws are in TX, but probate is to be avoided under most circumstances.

[littlemissmartypants]

39. Proving yet again that Republicans are experts at talking out of their asses.

Wow! What a leader!

[Vinca]

41. Well, we'll just watch the graph that charts the progress of the disease.

I'm betting Texas and the other states with stupid leaders will spike when it comes to hospitalizations and deaths.

[roamer65]

43. Stay safe and "meek", DU Texans.

You just may inherit the place.