Abbott slammed for Covid warrant ban as cases soar in Texas

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Mr Abbott was able to rebuild much of that support after lifting restrictions when Covid declined, Professor Jones said, but would again risk causing friction with Republican primary voters if he reimposed regulations.

This definitely works in favor of voters in the Republican primary, he said of the governor’s strategy, noting that Mr Abbotts’ goal is to win overwhelmingly in the 2022 Republican primary against two Tory challengers. , former State Senator Don Huffines and former Republican Party Chairman Allen West.

James Riddlesperger, professor of political science at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, said Mr. Abbott, who like Mr. DeSantis would have his own presidential ambitions, sees something similar.

This is a very high-risk, high-reward strategy that he pursues, along with other national Republican leaders, where they just don’t believe the Covid crisis is going to cause the number of deaths that many medical professionals suggest it might, he said.

Understanding the state of vaccination mandates in the United States

In Austin, local health officials have approved recommendations that, among other things, urge fully immunized people to wear masks and encourage partially and fully unvaccinated people to get fully immunized, stay home, and avoid gatherings. , unless an exit is inevitable. Under Mr Abbotts’ ban on mask and vaccine warrants, however, local officials have no enforcement powers and can only recommend compliance.

In San Antonio, the virus is also wreaking havoc at medical facilities. The seven-day average of new cases there is 1,346, with 1,002 Covid patients hospitalized and 273 of them on ventilators, according to city data.

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