The Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked a mask mandate that was issued by San Antonio and Bexar County schools. The ruling came as a legal victory for Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton as they move forward in protecting public entities from implementing such requirements, especially since the “science” doesn’t even support mask-wearing in the classroom, to begin with. It’s just another political ploy being called out for what it is.
While the Texas Supreme Court blocked counties from implementing mask mandates, they did allow an injunction issued by the lower court to allow the Bexar mask mandate to move forward, as issued by AG Paxton and Gov. Abbott. This will put Abbott’s ban on their mask mandate on hold pending trial in the lawsuit. Just more tyranny under the pretense of public health.
The Supreme Court did rule how mask mandates across the state are illegal and that further non-compliance will result in more lawsuits. The court said that the oversight is up to the governor and “that status quo” should remain in place while key issues are examined.
“This case, and others like it, are not about whether people should wear masks or whether the government should make them do it. Rather, these cases ask courts to determine which government officials have the legal authority to decide what the government’s position on such questions will be,” the court said.
AG Paxton said the Texas Supreme Court “sided with the law” in their decision to state that mask mandates lie with the governor’s authority. He did say he was “personally disappointed” in the injunction allowed for Bexar County but that he will continue to work with the City of San Antonio to determine the next steps forward in that order.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said they are not going to let an ongoing court battle distract them in the “real fight against COVID-19” and that they will move forward in allowing these masks mandated.
The Bexar County previously sued the Abbott administration, arguing that they cannot stop schools from issuing mask mandates to “mitigate the spread of COVID-19.” But Paxton and Gov. Abbott took their case to the Supreme Court and argued that localized mask mandates add to the “statewide confusion arising from the multiple conflicting orders” given the past several weeks. Not only do mask mandates contribute to the distrust of public health officials, but also to the efficacy of the vaccine.
District Court Judge Tonya Parker had issued the temporary injunction against the mask mandate ban. She shared that the mask ban “violates” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins’ authority to prioritize public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Abbott spokeswoman Renae Enze has clarified that Gov. Abbott remains committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of all Texans. She said Gov. Abbott will continue to protect the rights of parents to make medical decisions for their children. She said that the office of the Attorney General has successfully defended the governor’s executive orders in the past and that they are confident they will do it again.
Judge Jenkins recently issued a mask mandate for those inside Dallas County buildings, public schools, and businesses but it will likely be appealed to the courts. The governor has continued to push a ban on vaccine mandates, saying that their involvement is “particularly important” right now in order to avoid a patchwork of vaccine mandates across the state. He said that no governmental entity can require vaccine mandates, with the exceptions for places like nursing homes.
It has been a nonstop battle between the states fighting for political power. Except one party is trying to protect freedom in the classroom while the other tries to exploit it.
