Despite rise in respiratory illnesses, Gov. Greg Abbott vows Texas will never return to mask mandates

As hospitals in some states require masks to curb the spread of what experts call a quad-demic of respiratory illnesses, Gov. Greg Abbott this week vowed that Texas will never again impose mask mandates.

“There will be NO mask mandate in Texas. Period,” Abbott tweeted Thursday, sharing a screenshot of a news article about some hospital systems requiring staff and patients to mask up in certain settings.

The Daily Mail article tweeted put by Abbott includes a misleading headline about the return of “face mask mandates” like those imposed during the COVID pandemic. In reality, no state has implemented a new mask mandate, and there’s little indication any are leaning in that direction.

However, some hospitals in states including California, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and New Jersey over the past two months have required staff and patients don masks to curb the spread of respiratory illnesses, the Current confirmed. Instances of colds, flu, COVID-19 and RSV are rising in those areas.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) listed the rate of acute respiratory illness in Texas — along with nine other states — as “very high” for the week ended Dec. 28.

In Bexar County, nearly 6% of all ER visits in the past week were due to Influenza, while RSV caused 2%. Nationally, nearly 20% of influenza tests came back positive, according to the latest CDC data.

The CDC recommends that people stay up to date with the latest COVID-19 and flu vaccines. To help stop the spread, they also should wash their hands and stay home if they’re symptomatic. Those who feel the need can put on masks to lower their risks.

Subscribe to SA Current newsletters.

Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter| Or sign up for our RSS Feed

Related Stories

Mental health advocates ask Texas lawmakers to replace expiring COVID-19 relief funding

Texas received $203.4 million in 2021 to help build community mental health programs at libraries and churches, among other efforts. Those funds expired Dec. 31.

Is the FDA looking to ban some of San Antonio’s favorite foods?

The short answer is ‘no.’ But the feds are moving to ban one red food color, and health concerns swirl around another.

Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challenges

A Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill prohibiting minors from using social media accounts as school districts become a ‘hunting ground’ for online dangers.

Again emulating Trump, Gov. Greg Abbott proposes calling Gulf of Mexico the ‘Gulf of Texas’

Abbott’s comments come a day after Trump said he wants to rename the body of water the ‘Gulf of America.’

Abbott orders Texas Capitol flags at full-staff for Trump inauguration. Because of course he does.

Abbott issued the order after Trump whined that Jimmy Carter’s death meant flags would be at half-mast for his big day.

This article appears in Dec 26, 2024 – Jan 1, 2025.