Texas Officials Plead With Abbott To Rescind Mask Executive Order

Austin TX

13 August, 2021

5:44 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — Texas officials from all corners of the state called on Gov. Greg Abbott to rescind his mask orders and on state lawmakers to oppose laws interfering with local government during a virtual call on Friday. Officials from Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio held a joint news conference Friday demanding Abbott rescind his executive order preventing schools, workplaces and local officials from taking necessary action to stop the spread of COVID-19, particularly the highly contagious delta variant. Representatives from the Workers Defense Action Fund, Local Progress and the Texas chapter of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations were also on the call. "The delta variant is raging through the state, schools are opening, parents are worried and students are scared. Local businesses and community leaders are doing everything they can to keep people safe," said Rick Levy, President of Texas AFL-CIO. "And yet, Governor Abbott is using the full force of his office not to fight COVID, but to fight local officials who are doing everything they can to keep us safe." The call for action comes after a spike of delta variant cases threatens to overflow Texas hospitals. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, there were 11,261 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients currently admitted as of Thursday. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, there were 11,261 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients currently admitted as of Thursday. (Shutterstock) The data shows that there are only 7,187 available hospital beds, 323 staffed ICU beds and 6,708 available ventilators for people who need them. By region, it gets worse. Some regions are reporting less than 10 staffed ICU beds available; whereas Region H (which serves an area near Houston), Region N, (which serves the area where Bryan and College Station are located), Region T (which serves Webb County) and Region U (which serves the Coastal Bend) are reporting zero staffed ICU beds as of Thursday. Region H serves 272,151 people, N serves 360,335, T serves 295,669 and U serves 630,897, according to state health officials. MORE: Only 2 Available ICU Beds Left In Austin Metro: APH As the surge of COVID-19 cases hits the state's biggest metros, school districts like Austin, Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth and San Antonio have issued their own mask mandates as students return for the 2021-2022 school year, defying Gov. Abbott's order. According to executive order GA-38, which was issued in May, no public school district, public university, or local official can issue a mask order. Houston ISD School Board Trustee Anne Sung said Friday she is pleading with the governor to support school districts who are making an effort to keep schools open and safe. "In order for us to be able to operate our schools, we need to be able to use all of the tools recommended by the CDC and our local health experts," Sung said. "Last year's mask mandate saved lives, and our school districts must continue to be able to do what is needed to keep our schools safe." On Wednesday, Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced they would buckle down on local authorities, including school districts, who defy the order. Those who do, will be taken to court. As the surge of COVID-19 cases hits the state's biggest metros, school districts like Austin, Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth and San Antonio have issued their own mask mandates as students return for the 2021-2022 school year, defying Gov. Abbott's order. (Shutterstock) "The path forward relies on personal responsibility — not government mandates. The state of Texas will continue to vigorously fight the temporary restraining order (an order issued by Dallas and Bexar Counties) to protect the rights and freedoms of all Texans," the governor's office said. Paxton said he is confident that the courts will rule in the state's favor and will side with liberty and individual choice, not mandates and government overreach. While the governor's office is standing resolute in its decision, city officials are asking state lawmakers to oppose laws that interfere with local governments' authority to care for their communities, including Senate Bill 14 and House Bill 10. "As an elected official, I took an oath to execute the duties of the office we are entrusted to take on by the people. The governor has overreached in his authority as he doesn't have the authority to limit counties, cities, and school districts the ability to respond to emergencies," said Travis County Judge Andy Brown. "We cannot allow this state interference. Local governments must be able to do what they need to protect our communities." MORE: Mask Mandate Issued In Austin-Travis County, Defying Gov's Ban As The Texas Tribune reported, there is now a "patchwork of mandates across the state." After suing, Dallas and Bexar counties can at least temporarily require masks in public schools and many government buildings, according to the Texas Tribune. According to the report, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins has also mandated that child care centers and businesses require employees and customers to wear masks. "This should not be a battle between Republicans and Democrats or the vaccinated versus the unvaccinated," Jenkins said Friday. "We are all on 'Team Human Beings' and the enemy is the virus. As with any health emergency, we should listen to the doctors." The data reports there are only 7,187 available hospital beds, 323 staffed ICU beds and 6,708 available ventilators for people who need them. (Shutterstock) Denton City Council Member Deb Armintor also said Friday Denton was one of the many cities to vote and approve a mask mandate as of Thursday. "We have a responsibility as elected leaders to act quickly to slow the spread of Covid-19 and keep the communities we serve safe," she said. "We listened to the concerns of parents, teachers, and public health experts and did right by them." On Friday, the Governor's Press Secretary Renae Eze told Patch the assertion that the Governor doesn't have the authority to protect the rights and freedoms of Texans is just "plain misguided." "Texans have learned and mastered over the past year the safe practices to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19, and do not need the government to tell them how to do so," Eze said. She said local leaders across the state have access to over $10 billion in federal COVID-19 funding to help their communities respond and provide healthcare to combat this virus, yet they "have refused to deploy that funding for its intended purpose." "Governor Abbott announced earlier this week additional actions the state is taking to mitigate the recent rise in COVID cases, including recruiting and deploying over 2,500 medical personnel, opening additional antibody infusion centers, and increasing vaccine availability across the state," Eze said. "It's time these local leaders start directing their resources to help their fellow Texans." The Governor's press secretary said removing government mandates, does not end personal responsibility or the importance of caring for family members, friends and their community. "Vaccines are the most effective defense against contracting COVID and becoming seriously ill, and we continue to urge all eligible Texans to get the vaccine," she said. RELATED COVERAGE: Across Texas, Frantic Parents Search For Options To Keep Kids Safe In School 'The Rebellion Is Spreading': After Local Texas Officials Defy Mask Mandate Ban, Abbott Begins To Clamp Down 2 Austin Eateries Backtrack On Vaccine Proof After State Warning