#Texas Gov. mandates face masks in public as COVID-19 cases spike

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
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Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday ordered that residents of counties with more than 20 coronavirus cases have to wear masks when they venture outdoors as cases spike in the Lone Star State.

“Gov. Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions,” the governor’s office said in a statement.

“Wearing a face covering in public is proven to be one of the most effective ways we have to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Abbott said in the statement, which he repeated on Twitter.

“We have the ability to keep businesses open and move our economy forward so that Texans can continue to earn a paycheck, but it requires each of us to do our part to protect one another — and that means wearing a face covering in public spaces.”

The governor also issued a proclamation empowering mayors to limit gatherings to 10 people or fewer and force people to social distance.

“Likewise, large gatherings are a clear contributor to COVID-19 cases. Restricting the size of groups gatherings will strengthen Texas ability to corral this virus,” the Republican governor continued.

“We all have a responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep our communities safe.”

The move came the same day that Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned of “an even greater outbreak ahead” and again implored people to wear masks.

And it came a day after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Fauci “doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Fox News reported.

“Fauci said today that he’s concerned about states like Texas that skipped over certain things,” Patrick said Wednesday on Fox.

“He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. We haven’t skipped over anything. The only thing I’m skipping over is listening to him.”

The mandate also came after Texas reported 8,076 new cases on Wednesday, making it the highest one-day total in the state since the start of the pandemic, KTRK TV reported from Houston.

During a briefing on Wednesday, the city of Houston reported 832 new cases, bringing the total count to 21,123. Four more COVID-19 deaths were also reported.