Vaccines that have unknown aftereffects are not reason enough to lift the mask mandate. The pandemic is far from over, and with Spring Break underway we urge Gov. Abbot to rethink his decision.
On Wednesday, March 10, Texas lifted its mask mandate and reopened the state at 100 percent capacity. With little to no COVID-19 guidelines being enforced, the cases in Texas are predicted to grow exponentially.
According to the New York Times, less than 10 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated. We need at least 70 percent of Texas population to be vaccinated before we can reach immunity. Texas is not ready for an incoming COVID-19 wave.
Although vaccines are protective against the virus, there is still a slim chance of contracting the disease. The CDC encourages everyone to wear a mask and to continue social distancing in efforts to decrease the spread of COVID-19.
Wearing a mask does not automatically make you immune to the virus, but combined with healthy hygiene and social distancing, a piece of cloth could be lifesaving.
Although the state mask mandate has ended, many businesses across the state will continue enforcing social distancing and mask wearing policies. Though counties can no longer fine, punish or create a city mandate for those refusing to wear a mask, cities in the state can decide if they will have mask requirements inside city buildings and properties.
Owners of private properties and businesses will get to decide whether they will allow non-mask-wearers inside their stores and on their property. Businesses can also refuse service if a customer refuses to cooperate with a store policy.
Though many Texans have said mask wearing will not be ending for them, it is important to keep practicing social distancing and COVID-19 protocols. The COVID-19 pandemic still has a prominent hold over our state, and we must do our part to keep our community safe.