Texas and Mississippi are about to allow businesses to re-open at full capacity and do away with mask wearing and social distancing. US President Joe Biden labelled it a “big mistake” and “Neanderthal thinking.” Mississippi ended its mask mandate yesterday. Texas will remove most restrictions next week.
Biden told US media yesterday; “The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime everything’s fine, take off your mask, forget it. It still matters.”
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves pulled no punches in responding. He tweeted;
“Mississippians don’t need handlers. As numbers drop, they can assess their choices and listen to experts. I guess I just think we should trust Americans, not insult them.”
A spokesperson for Texas Governor Greg Abbott said;
“The governor has been clear in telling Texans that Covid hasn’t ended. Texas now has the tools and knowledge to combat Covid while also allowing Texans and small businesses to make their own decisions”.
It is clear from the recoveries, the vaccinations, the reduced hospitalisations, and the safe practices that Texans are using, that state mandates are no longer needed. We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans.”
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) is advising against the lifting of restrictions for at least another couple of months. On Monday, CDC director Rochelle Walensky warned of a “potential fourth surge of cases” if the country lapsed into complacency.
Southern Republican Governors have had enough. All that remains to be seen is whether or not they’ll stand firm.
