COVID-19 Cases Continue Rising In TX, Abbott’s Executive Order Touts Personal Responsibility

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Texas COVID 19 infographic

Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order GA-38 Restricting Cities Authority To React To COVID-19 On A Local Basis

In one week, hospitalizations have risen 1,726, the 7-day average of confirmed cases nearly doubles, and fatalities are now increasing. So as some states react to similar spikes mask mandates have returned. However in our state the Governor is limiting local government’s power to react to increasing cases.

Governor Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order (GA-38) combining several existing COVID-19 executive orders to promote statewide uniformity and certainty in the state’s COVID-19 response.

“Today’s executive order will provide clarity and uniformity in the Lone Star State’s continued fight against COVID-19,” said Governor Abbott. “The new Executive Order emphasizes that the path forward relies on personal responsibility rather than government mandates. Texans have mastered the safe practices that help to prevent and avoid the spread of COVID-19. They have the individual right and responsibility to decide for themselves and their children whether they will wear masks, open their businesses, and engage in leisure activities. Vaccines, which remain in abundant supply, are the most effective defense against the virus, and they will always remain voluntary – never forced – in the State of Texas.”

View the Governor’s Executive Order GA-38.

Locals react to the Governor’s Executive Order

These are just a few of the comments posted on the Governor’s Official Facebook Page in response to GA-38.

“Texans have literally proven that they AREN’T capable of making these decisions for themselves. The virus is growing unchecked in our state yet again because the citizens refuse to do the right thing.” Jenny Dee

“Yet most of Texas is considered an area of high transmission. This is embarrassing and an overstep of the powers that should be afforded to locally elected officials. Totally ridiculous for the governor to limit local entities when he’s not directly familiar with the going-ons of each individual city.” Lauren Ibarra

“Thank you Governor for helping to keep our state free. Grateful to live in Texas!!” Naomi Melendez

“Thank you! We are living in a free country and should be able to decide. Like people know eating processed food is not good, people know smoking will probably kill them, people drive cars knowing there is a risk. People drink often know it’s most likely gonna destroy their liver. We can choose. Everything has a risk.” Karen L. Guss

Statement from Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins on GA-38

“The Governor’s order is based on polling data of what Republican primary voters want to hear; conversely, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations are based on the most recent data regarding the much more contagious Delta variant and what scientists and medical professionals have learned thus far to combat the spread and harm of COVID.

 

The Governor’s order restricts school districts from requiring masks, increasing the chance another school year will be ruined for students, while also making it more difficult to stop the spread of COVID and illness for children and their families. School districts and their health advisors are the best source of information for parents regarding education practice. It is my hope that parents will work with school districts to get those eligible students age 12 and up vaccinated, and follow mask wearing recommendations within buildings.

 

The Governor’s order also restricts some hospitals from ensuring their staff is vaccinated against COVID. No one wants a loved one in the hospital unnecessarily infected with COVID. It is my hope that hospital staff who have not yet been vaccinated will consider the fact that 200 million Americans have already been vaccinated and work with their administrators to get their vaccine so that hospitalized people will have their best chance of not contracting COVID from hospital employees and contractors. My advice remains the same: to win the war against COVID we must follow the science and listen to the experts, not the politicians.”