Multiple Texas cities and counties adopting mask orders

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Multiple Texas counties and cities are ordering businesses to require customers and workers to wear face masks as the state sees a continued rise in the numbers of new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who has refused to order a face covering mandate for individuals, said this week that local governments can instead order businesses to require them.

Bexar County was the first, and local officials in some of the state’s most populous areas, including the city of Austin, Dallas County and El Paso County, quickly adopted similar measures with fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 for businesses that don’t comply. Dallas County adopted its order Friday morning.

Texas health officials on Thursday reported new daily records of 3,516 new cases of the coronavirus and 2,947 hospitalizations, nearly double the total back on Memorial Day.

The actual number of people who have contracted the virus that causes COVID-19 is likely higher because many people have not been tested and studies suggest that people can be infected and not feel sick.

“The virus is here. Infections are rising. Hospital capacity is filling up. If we want the economy to reopen fully and stay open, we have to take this seriously,” Austin Mayor Steve Adler tweeted Friday.

The local orders have been criticized by small business advocates who complain they are turning shop owners and retailers into “mask police.” Some conservative lawmakers blame Abbott for giving his blessing on such measures.

“Texas has now gone full circle from a dictatorship to a republic, to a sovereign American State. Now it appears that as long as we allow the Governor’s actions ... we are expected to live as if we have a monarchy,” Republican state Sen. Bob Hall said...