Governors of Texas and Mississippi Say No Mask Mandate Any Longer

It is my opinion that in our lifetime we will never know for sure if this whole thing was globally handled in the right way. History will be the judge of that, when things will be looked at objectively and without any emotions or motivations involved. With that being said, I do believe in siding on the error of caution. I would prefer that places wait until a percentage of the population has either had the vaccine or the virus before the heard policy is implemented but if my state follows Texas lead I will still wear a mask and isolate as much as I can until I do feel comfortable enough going back to living a "normal" life and I will be happy that people will have a choice to not wear a mask should they chose not to.
 

Time to remove masks Gov. Abbott?
Article written 3/04/21
AUSTIN, TEXAS (AP) — Texas reported 315 more deaths Thursday from the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 as the state's pandemic death toll neared 44,000.
The Texas Department of State Health Services said the state's COVID-19 death toll stood at 43,878 Thursday. The state's confirmed and probable coronavirus cases rose by 5,903 to 2,671,442. An estimated 152,267 of those cases were active Thursday, officials said.
 
Some interesting mask data from the CDC.

During March 1–December 31, 2020, state-issued mask mandates applied in 2,313 (73.6%) of the 3,142 U.S. counties. Mask mandates were associated with a 0.5 percentage point decrease (p = 0.02) in daily COVID-19 case growth rates 1–20 days after implementation and decreases of 1.1, 1.5, 1.7, and 1.8 percentage points 21–40, 41–60, 61–80, and 81–100 days, respectively, after implementation (p<0.01 for all) (Table 1) (Figure). Mask mandates were associated with a 0.7 percentage point decrease (p = 0.03) in daily COVID-19 death growth rates 1–20 days after implementation and decreases of 1.0, 1.4, 1.6, and 1.9 percentage points 21–40, 41–60, 61–80, and 81–100 days, respectively, after implementation (p<0.01 for all). Daily case and death growth rates before implementation of mask mandates were not statistically different from the reference period. Source: CDC.​

Despite the small numbers, masking proponents, such as the CDC, will claim this is statistical proof that masking is needed. Others, who are perhaps more versed in "weighted least-squares regression analysis" might ask some serious questions. Regardless, this issue has become seriously political with little understanding of what the real numbers are (e.g., flawed testing, changing counting methods and rules, adjusting "weights" in weighted analysis, etc.}.
 
A sign posted in a Texas Restaurant. The manager said it is a joke but he is leaving it up!!
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fmdog44 said:
As a strong mask advocate I have not heard a single word about the "no mask" states like Florida.
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The last time I saw anything about Florida, someone was comparing no-lockdown Florida to lockdown CA. CA had the higher unemployment rate, as you might expect but the COVID death rates per million were comperable, even though FL residents have an older average age. I can't verify the stats, though.
 
They're looking into opening up here & letting the mask mandate expire. I'm concerned enough about that, that I'll be talking to my doc about getting a note to continue wearing mine at work. And I'll continue to wear one in public. This pandemic is not over. It has slowed down but it's not over. I think it's a mistake to let everything go right now. I guess they will have to learn the hard way.
 
AnnieA said:
@MarciKS Most people in the parts of Mississippi I've been in (five counties over the past few days) are still wearing them in businesses and healthcare facilities. I can't imagine that you'll need a note to wear one for work.
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I'll have to see what the infection control people do. I hope they'll continue to let us for safety sake. But I highly doubt it.
 
StarSong said:
Since 7620 new COVID cases were reported in TX yesterday alone, it's pretty clear that undocumented people aren't their major COVID problem.
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Texas is a huge state and often the big spikes in cases have in the El Paso and south valley regions (near the border). Wherever we go here near the Texas Hill Country, everyone seems to still be wearing masks. Of course spring break doesn't help a bit!!!

What is puzzling is why states that have locked down or closed up businesses have had so many cases. Must be casual "get togethers" or parties that are helping spike it.
 
JonDouglas said:
Some interesting mask data from the CDC.

During March 1–December 31, 2020, state-issued mask mandates applied in 2,313 (73.6%) of the 3,142 U.S. counties. Mask mandates were associated with a 0.5 percentage point decrease (p = 0.02) in daily COVID-19 case growth rates 1–20 days after implementation and decreases of 1.1, 1.5, 1.7, and 1.8 percentage points 21–40, 41–60, 61–80, and 81–100 days, respectively, after implementation (p<0.01 for all) (Table 1) (Figure). Mask mandates were associated with a 0.7 percentage point decrease (p = 0.03) in daily COVID-19 death growth rates 1–20 days after implementation and decreases of 1.0, 1.4, 1.6, and 1.9 percentage points 21–40, 41–60, 61–80, and 81–100 days, respectively, after implementation (p<0.01 for all). Daily case and death growth rates before implementation of mask mandates were not statistically different from the reference period. Source: CDC.​

Despite the small numbers, masking proponents, such as the CDC, will claim this is statistical proof that masking is needed. Others, who are perhaps more versed in "weighted least-squares regression analysis" might ask some serious questions. Regardless, this issue has become seriously political with little understanding of what the real numbers are (e.g., flawed testing, changing counting methods and rules, adjusting "weights" in weighted analysis, etc.}.
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Agree. In an attempt to try to get a handle on it, focusing on whatever might help even a little bit has been the theme and then politically torn apart. Look at the Asian countries...they have eradicated it basically in such a shorter time than Europe and America. So, what have they done right and what have we done wrong?
 
Liberty said:
Texas is a huge state and often the big spikes in cases have in the El Paso and south valley regions (near the border). Wherever we go here near the Texas Hill Country, everyone seems to still be wearing masks. Of course spring break doesn't help a bit!!!

What is puzzling is why states that have locked down or closed up businesses have had so many cases. Must be casual "get togethers" or parties that are helping spike it.
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As a resident of one of those states, I would conjecture it's because prolonged despair can kill.
 
Liberty said:
Agree. In an attempt to try to get a handle on it, focusing on whatever might help even a little bit has been the theme and then politically torn apart. Look at the Asian countries...they have eradicated it basically in such a shorter time than Europe and America. So, what have they done right and what have we done wrong?
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Most Asian countries' citizens are accustomed to very powerful authority figures, whether it's their government, their families, or a societal duty of courtesy toward other people.

If you told my Korean, Chinese and Japanese immigrant friends that the government recommended or mandated mask wearing, social distancing, not traveling, and staying at home for their own and everyone else's safety, they would comply without bitching and moaning about it.

Indeed, it would be unthinkable to them to put someone else at risk.

That's why their numbers are so much better, IMHO.
 
Ruthanne said:
Article: Governors--no mask mandate

Gov. Greg Abbott ended Texas' statewide mask mandate and announced an executive order to allow all businesses to reopen at full capacity.

"It is now time to open Texas 100%," Abbott said at a news conference Tuesday.

"COVID has not suddenly disappeared," he added. "But it is clear from the recoveries, from the vaccinations, from the reduced hospitalizations, and from the safe practices that Texas are using, that state mandates are no longer needed."

Abbott's executive order is effective March 10, overriding a previous executive order issued in October. The new order mandates that if hospitalization rates exceed 15% hospital bed capacity for seven days, county judges may use mitigation strategies in their jurisdiction, according to Abbott.

Health experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, have cautioned against states reopening too quickly. At a White House briefing on Friday, Fauci warned against easing restrictions until the U.S. baseline average of new infections is lower.

"We have to carefully look at what happens over the next week or so with those numbers, before you start making the understandable need to relax on certain restrictions," Fauci said. "Watch it closely, and be prepared to react according to what actually happens.”

"We think it's a mistake to lift these mandate too early. Masks are saving a lot of lives," he said. "The president has been clear about the fact that in the first 100 days of this administration, we could save 50,000 lives if we stick to this. I'm hoping that the businesses, and the community and people in Texas, the mayors, the county, will rethink this. I hope the governor rethinks this. It's only a small piece of cloth that's needed."

Mississippi followed suit on Tuesday, with Gov. Tate Reeves announcing he would also remove mask mandates and business restrictions.


For more of this article see blue link at top.

Do you think this is the right thing to do?
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The Texas and Mississippi disease numbers will shoot right back up again, unless they've got the majority of their residents vaccinated by now.

What will be interesting to watch is the result of deciding to hold the March Madness games this year. If all the players have received both shots, and they are rigidly kept isolated from each other and from everyone else, including their families, maybe they can get away with it. The article in today's paper said the players will be together only while actually playing the games.

Sounds to me like once again, the dollar reigns triumphant.
 
Sunny said:
The Texas and Mississippi disease numbers will shoot right back up again, unless they've got the majority of their residents vaccinated by now.

What will be interesting to watch is the result of deciding to hold the March Madness games this year. If all the players have received both shots, and they are rigidly kept isolated from each other and from everyone else, including their families, maybe they can get away with it. The article in today's paper said the players will be together only while actually playing the games.

Sounds to me like once again, the dollar reigns triumphant.
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Not so far in Mississippi but most people are still choosing to wear masks. Vaccinations are now available for everyone above 16 years old in Mississippi ...am hoping they work and this is soon behind us.
 
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I wonder what effect state mask mandates have, my state hasn't had a state mandate but employers, stores, and cities require masks so I'm not sure who would be affected by a state mandate. The company I work for (that also has offices in Texas) responded to the news by sending an email to let us know there is no change to their policy.
 
most people here in Texas are still wearing masks. I had a new W/D delivered yesterday. Delivery dudes wore masks. I did not, though I doubt that, with the exception of signing off on the delivery order, we were ever closer than 6 feet. Why didn’t I wear a mask? Totally slipped my mind In my own home. And I had a pre-op COVID test two days ago that came up negative.
 
Most of the older folks are fully vaccinated in our area of Texas. That opens up a lot more activities. Its almost spring "famous Bluebonnet" time and expect the tour buses to be back in business this year, stopping not far from here to indulge the passengers in their morning Kolaches and German sausage on the way to the "viewing and clicking" of the gorgeous blue flowers that dominate the meadows and fields.

We found out Bluebonnets grow where they want to, not where you want them too...they are blown by the wind to propagate new fields year after year usually.

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