In a shocking statement made Tuesday afternoon, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) declared Texas free of the statewide mask mandate effective March 10th.  Along with this, Abbott also stated that businesses could open to 100% capacity, roughly on the anniversary of COVID-19 making headlines across the state and country last year.

Many across the country are divided over the decision.  While some celebrate the “reopening” of the state and an intended return to normalcy, others are ridiculing the governor’s sudden and monumental decision.

Due to the mandate being lifted, individual Texans will be responsible for wearing masks on their own or according to the rules/requirements of private businesses.

Texas is one of three states (FL,TX, MS) that currently has promised to lift mask mandates.  Following Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), Abbott’s decision is one that has sent shockwaves across both Texas and the rest of the country.