Austin (WBAP/KLIF) – Governor Greg Abbott has yet to speak out publicly about the numerous lawsuits filed against his mask mandate ban, and more specifically how it impacts schools across the state, but Abbott’s office on Tuesday issued a written statement on the matter. 
The statement reads in part: “Removing government mandates, however, does not end personal responsibility or the importance of caring for family members, friends, and your community.”
“Vaccines are the most effective defense against contracting COVID and becoming seriously ill, and we continue to urge all eligible Texans to get the vaccine. The COVID vaccine will always remain voluntary and never forced in Texas.”
The office stressed that the COVID vaccine is still the most effective defense against the virus.
The statement also stresses personal responsibility, “Governor Abbott has been clear that the time for mask mandates is over. parents and guardians have the right to decide whether their child will wear a mask or not.” and that “vaccines will always be voluntary not forced in Texas.”
On Tuesday, state district judges in Dallas and Bexar counties issued temporary injunctions that stopped enforcement of the mask mandate ban for those local jurisdictions. Legal action is expected in other Texas counties, including Harris.
Moments ago, I received a copy of The Hon. Tonya Parker’s order enjoining @GovAbbott from stopping local mask requirements here. I’ll get feedback from health,education and business leaders tonight and in the morning with the anticipation of issuing an emergency order tomorrow.
— Clay Lewis Jenkins (@JudgeClayJ) August 11, 2021
Meantime, following Dallas IDS’s lead, the Fort Worth ISD voted Tuesday to enforce a mask mandate in its schools.
Since students started returning to classrooms in recent weeks, cases of COVID-19 have soared among youngsters.
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