Abbott Finally Opens Texas, But At Great Cost

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has just issued an Executive Order (GA-34) lifting the mask mandate in Texas and "increasing capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100 percent."

"With the medical advancements of vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus,” said Governor Abbott. "We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas 100 percent. 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. Today's announcement does not abandon safe practices that Texans have mastered over the past year. Instead, it is a reminder that each person has a role to play in their own personal safety and the safety of others. With this executive order, we are ensuring that all businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny."

In following the lead of S. Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Gov. Abbott's lifting of the mask and reopening businesses to 100% is great news for Texans, but it comes at a cost.

Because of the unnecessary and extended COVID-19 pandemic shutdown in the Lone Star State, many businesses were forced to permanently close, leading to an unemployment spike, and tens of millions in lost small business revenue.

Texas GOP Chairman Allen West, who protested Gov. Abbott back in November 2020, tweeted that Texas Republicans  were "glad Governor Abbott is following the example " of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and S. Dakota Governor Kristi Noem," adding, " We pray that our small businesses will be able to recover."