Samuel Case, FISM News
The CDC once again has revised its masking guidelines and is now advising that individuals living in counties with “substantial” to “high” transmission rates should wear masks indoors regardless whether they’ve received a COVID-19 shot or not.
The CDC defines counties with substantial transmission as those experiencing 50-100 cases per 100,000 people within a seven day period, with high transmission being 100 cases per 100,000 in the same time frame. 60% of U.S. counties currently fall within one of the two categories.
In May the CDC had lifted masking guidelines for vaccinated individuals, but is now partially reversing course as Delta variant cases, including among the vaccinated, and hospitalizations are increasing, although deaths remain at their lowest since the end of March 2020.
The CDC is also backtracking on previous recommendations for schools that said masks are only “recommended for people who are not fully vaccinated including students, teachers, and staff.” Now the CDC advises masks for all teachers, staff, and students, regardless of vaccination status.
Texas governor Greg Abbott scoffed at the revised guidelines on Twitter, saying “The time for government mask mandates is over—now is the time for personal responsibility.” He then added, “Every Texan has the right to choose whether they will wear a mask or have their children wear masks.”
The time for government mask mandates is over—now is the time for personal responsibility.
In May, I signed an executive order prohibiting mask mandates by gov't entities.
Every Texan has the right to choose whether they will wear a mask or have their children wear masks.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 27, 2021
Governor Abbott announced in March that Texas was ending its mask mandate and opening up to 100% capacity, making Texas one of the first major states to do so. Two months later Abbot signed an executive order that would fine counties, cities, and government agencies that continue to require masks.