‘Beyond reckless’: Abbott faces backlash for executive order clarifying stance on masks
Texas leaders and officials aren’t thrilled with Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest executive order released Thursday clarifying his stance on local government officials mandating masks and vaccines.
In his order, he restricts any state or local agency and any public or private entity that is receiving or will receive public funds through any means from mandating masks or requiring proof of vaccination.
“The new Executive Order emphasizes that the path forward relies on personal responsibility rather than government mandates,” Abbott writes in his statement announcing the order. “[Texans] 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.”
On Wednesday, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff penned a letter to Abbott seeking his permission to allow schools to require face masks. Shortly after Abbott announced his new order, Nirenberg released a statement calling his action “tragically ironic.”
“It is tragically ironic that Gov. Abbott continues his emergency order but has taken away the tools for us to mitigate that very emergency,” Nirenberg said in a statement. “The governor has shown a callous disregard for life and safety in defiance of clear medical guidance and is risking the safety of our children and the recovery of our economy.”
In a tweet on Friday, former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro called Abbott the most incompetent governor, writing he has the worse coronavirus response in the nation.
Scroll below for more reactions from Texas leaders on Abbott’s order:
On the other side, some Texas Republicans agreed with the governor.
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