TX HEALTH OFFICIALS ON GOV MASK ORDER- A top Texas health official is defending Governor Greg Abbott's decision to lift the statewide mask mandate but underscores the importance of face coverings to reduce spreading COVID-19. Doctor John Hellerstedt heads the Department of State Health Services. He told state lawmakers during a hearing this week that he and Abbott are on the same page.
"So I know the Governor took the steps that he did not to in anyway diminish the use of masks but rather to say that the government itself would play a different role in terms of whether or not it would be against his executive orders."
Lawmakers said they're still concerned the policy change will confuse the public. And healthcare professionals are still in favor of wearing protective masks in public. The Texas Nurses Association is urging people to continue wearing masks even after the Governor’s statewide mandate expires next week.
"Nurses are concerned about lifting restrictions too soon,” explained Cindy Zolnierek, CEO for the Texas Nurses Association.
Zolnierek adds nurses are fatigued a year into the pandemic. Over 56-hundred people in Texas are hospitalized for COVID-19, and more than 44,000 Texans have died from the disease.
Copyright 2021 Red River Radio
