So the red state of texas just reversed the mask mandate

[Beachnutt]

well very sad to say its really horrible that they would do this when we are getting close to stopping the covid.
I will continue masking.

[SheltieLover]

1. They are doing same in middle TN

[TwilightZone]

2. It's never been taken seriously at the state level. It was always up to local governments.

Many of the cities and towns have been much more vigilant, even when Abbott has repeatedly tried to tell them they couldn't.

As an aside, Biden won 46% of the vote here. Texas is more purple than red. Gerrymandering, voter suppression, and turnout issues make it appear more red than it really is.

[FakeNoose]

3. I'm glad I live in Pittsburgh

Our compliance is well over 95%. I've seen very few anti-maskers, but I don't go out much.
Retail stores, restaurants and such, are all strictly requiring masks and social distancing.

[herding cats]

4. He also announced Texas will be reopening all businesses at 100% capacity.

Things could get interesting.

[Beachnutt]

5. Many deaths will be on him

[herding cats]

9. Most definitely.

Packing people into restaurants staffed by maskless people during a global pandemic. What could go wrong?

[Stuart G]

12. Well said.......repeat in capitals..".WHAT COULD GO WRONG?"

[UncleTomsEvilBrother]

17. No, they won't be.

People will somehow blame the DEMS or Black or Brown people for it. The DEMS will offer a meek rebuttal to the lies. That's how this thing always works.

[walkingman]

6. I hope most of the stores still require it. I'm sure a lot of the local hillbillies will use

this as an excuse to start some trouble but hopefully most people will continue to stay safe.

I keep hoping that soon we will rid ourselves of the Bush/Perry/ Abbott types but I guess it is just wishful thinking. Believe it or not, Texas was actually a sane place to live 30 years ago.

[gratuitous]

7. The population of a medium-sized high school died today (1,200)

The lives that Covid-19 claims in the next two or three months were that close to getting through the pandemic safely. Vaccines had been synthesized, production was ramping up, and after a full year of being careful, a bunch of people are going to get sick and die surrounded by machines and strangers as they gasped away their lives. Tragic under any circumstances, but the tragedy is enhanced by how close safety was.

[LakeArenal]

8. Thanks

[KY_EnviroGuy]

10. Nothing like catching a case of COVID soon after damn near freezing to death and....

nearly dying of thirst..........

Red states seem to be competing for who can have the least but most cruel government....

[LastDemocratInSC]

14. As the old state promotional advertisement said

"Texas... It's like a whole nuther country."

Run by fools, too.

[Stuart G]

11. Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the mask mandate "removed" Abbott is & TOTAL IDIOT!!!

He is a ....total idiot.......(..apologies to idiots everywhere...)

What the hell, does Abbott think that this is...".over"?

much too stupid to know....."it ain't over till it's over"....IT AIN'T OVER....!!!!!

I got a shot last Friday.....guess what?....IT AIN'T OVER...!!!..and I will still wear a mask and gloves whenever
and wherever I go outside.....why?????????????????????

IT AINT OVER....NO, IT AIN'T OVER ....TILL IT IS OVER...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tree Lady]

13. I am concerned about my daughter

In San Antonio where there already is a ton of cases. She works at home but the kids went back to school junior high and high school.

[dem4decades]

15. Biden shows up to show to support Texas and then they shove it up his ass.

Republicans have no redeeming qualities.

[Stuart G]

16. Biden will still protect himself...Abbott is much too stupid to protect himself...

[LeftInTX]

18. "Let's open up all the businesses, so you can make money to pay your electric bill!!"

[dutch777]

19. Dumb with new more infectious variants....but what would one expect of folks like Abbott, Noem, etc.

I feel bad for the people in these states trying to be safe. Their only option is to quarantine as much as possible. The docs and nurses in the hospitals must feel completely betrayed. Could get this thing under control except for stupid and spineless politicians.