“Make no mistake, COVID-19 has not disappeared, but it is clear from the recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations and safe practices that Texans are using that state mandates are no longer needed,” said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. He signed an executive order March 2 to lift the mask mandate in Texas and open all business and facilities in the state 100%.
Since his announcement, the two-week rolling average of new cases in Texas has increased by 10.1% according to data from John Hopkins University as reported by The Associated Press.
“If they completely remove the little restrictions we had, the cases are bound to increase,” said Monica Flores, a student from the El Centro Campus of Dallas College. “It makes me feel scared and a bit paranoid because the spread is going to get worse.”
Tasha Arevalo, right, laughs with Joseph Butler while eating at Mo’s Irish Pub, March 2, in Houston.
Photo The Associated Press
Flores continued to quarantine two months after Texas first opened the economy in June 2020. In those two months she found the courage to visit her local gym that has strictly enforced safety precautions like social distancing and mask wearing since reopening.
“I don’t think I could still go if they were to get rid of the mask policy,” Flores said. “I’d probably have to go back to the home workouts I was doing in quarantine.”
Arturo Morales, a graduate of the Eastfield Campus, said the executive order was more of a step forward than backward for Texas. The rise in new COVID-19 cases didn’t seem to alarm him. He was ecstatic for the freedom granted after March 10.
“Yeah, they might go up, but at least we have a choice now,” Morales said about the rise of COVID-19 cases and wearing a mask. “I know they’re going to enforce it at work and in stores, but if I can take it off, trust me, it’s off.”
Private businesses are still allowed to require masks and many retail chains, such as Target, Kroger and Sprouts, will continue to enforce their mask policies.
Many see the complete removal of mask policies as an opportunity for Texas residents to make their own choices.
“What it does is take the power out of the state government’s hands and puts it in the hands of the people,” said Parker Clemmons, a Richland Campus student majoring in communications.
The Centers for Disease Control, however, urges caution.
“I think we at the CDC have been very clear that now is not the time to release all restrictions,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. “The next month or two is really pivotal in terms of how this pandemic goes as we scale up vaccinations.”
The Texas Department of State Health Services website continues to recommend mask wearing and social distancing. Updates can be tracked on its website at dshs.texas.gov. Reported cases on the Dallas College campuses are available at Dallas College COVID-19 reporting.
