Can You Hear Me Now? Texas Cities Send Residents Alerts About Statewide Mask Requirement
July 4, 2020 - San Antonio
Mask up. On Friday, major Texas cities sent residents alerts about Gov. Greg Abbott’s mask mandate. Photo: Jade Esteban Estrada.
By Jade Esteban Estrada - Staff Writer, San Antonio Sentinel
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- On Friday, major Texas cities used the Wireless Alert System to inform residents of Gov. Abbott's new mask requirement
- The State of Texas now mandates all residents to wear masks, punishable by a fine of $250
- The governor’s proclamation prohibits gathering in groups of more than 10 and requires social distancing from those not in your group
On Friday, the City of San Antonio and other major Texas cities used the Wireless Emergency Alert System to inform residents of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s new executive order which mandates the statewide use of face coverings. The new order went into effect at noon on July 3.
“With our local hospitals nearing capacity, it is critical that everybody gets this message, especially younger people, who we know are often glued to their cell phones,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who has, alongside Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, been advocating the use of mask coverings since March. “The message is simple: Stay home if you can. Wear a mask if you can’t – it’s an order from the governor. We simply can’t withstand another spike in Covid-19 cases as we saw after Memorial Day weekend.”
“I encourage everyone to abide by the governor’s orders to protect not just your own health but those of everyone in our community,” said Wolff.
The message that was sent was as follows:
The State of Texas now mandates all residents to wear masks, punishable by a fine of $250. We depend on you this Independence Day to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Abbott issued two new statewide executive orders yesterday. The first directive was the mask requirement and the second was a proclamation that prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people. Both were effective at noon yesterday.
LET’S TALK ABOUT MASKS
The governor mandates the wearing of a face covering over the nose and mouth when inside a commercial entity or other building, or when in an outdoor public space wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of distance from another person not in the same household. Here is the list of exceptions to this rule:
For any person younger than 10 years of age
Due to a medical condition or disability
While consuming food or drink or is seated at a restaurant to eat or drink
When exercising outdoors and maintaining a safe distance from other people not in the same household
When driving or with passengers of the same household as the driver
When obtaining a service that requires temporary removal of the face covering for security or screening such as while visiting a bank or obtaining personal-care involving the face
While in a pool, lake or similar body of water
While voting, assisting a voter, serving as a poll watcher or actively administering an election, but a face covering is still strongly encouraged
Religious worship, but wearing a face covering is strongly encouraged
While giving a speech for broadcast
When in a county that has minimal cases
Specifically, not excepted is any person attending a protest or demonstration involving more than 10 people and who is not practicing safe social distancing from other people not in the same household.
Following a verbal or written warning for a first-time violator, a person's second violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. Each subsequent violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250.
Although no law enforcement official can jail an individual for a violation of this order, a law enforcement official may act to enforce trespass laws to remove violators at the request of a business establishment.
DEFINE GATHERINGS…
The governor’s proclamation prohibits gathering in groups of more than 10 and requires social distancing from those not in your group. The gathering prohibition lists the following exceptions:
Any services listed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in its Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce
Religions services
Local government operations
Child-care services
Youth camps
Recreational sports programs for youths and adults
Professional, collegiate, or similar sporting events
Swimming pools
Water parks
Museums and libraries
Zoos, aquariums, natural caverns, and similar facilities
Rodeos and equestrian events,
Amusement parks and carnivals
On Friday, 14,212 cases of Covid-19 were reported in Bexar County. There have been 117 deaths attributed to the virus. There are 14% of hospital beds available.
Further information can be found at the City’s Covid-19 website.
“Let’s all do our part,” said Nirenberg at Friday’s televised Covid-19 briefing. “Your social life is not worth someone else’s actual life.”
Jade Esteban Estrada is a staff writer at the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. He can be reached at jade@sasentinel.com.