Connecticut's Democratic governor announces major rollback of lockdown restrictions



Connecticut's Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont announced that the state would broadly reopen from their pandemic lockdown by March 19.

The governor cited a decrease in coronavirus cases and a successful vaccine rollout as the reasons behind the ease in lockdown restrictions.

"While it is encouraging to see the number of cases in our state gradually going down and people getting vaccinated at rates that are among the highest in the nation, we need to continue taking this virus seriously to mitigate its spread as much as possible," Lamont said in a statement on Thursday.

Lamont had previously scheduled to begin reopening the economy in May.

"Please continue to wear face coverings in public and when around other people outside of your households, maintain social distancing, and keep washing your hands and cleaning surfaces," he continued. "Connecticut has made tremendous strides to combat this pandemic, and we don't want to lose the progress that we've made."

The statement indicated that masks and face coverings would continue to be required. Bars that serve only beverages would remain closed, but large event stadiums would be scheduled to open in April.

WNBC-TV reported that the state had a coronavirus positivity rate of 1.86%, with 15 daily deaths from the virus. About 1,086,000 residents of Connecticut, about 21.3% of the population, had received at least their first shot.

The announcement followed upon that of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who lifted all coronavirus pandemic restrictions in his state. President Joe Biden responded by referring to the state leaders as "neanderthals" for reopening far too quickly in his estimation.

"I think it's a big mistake. Look, I hope everybody's realized by now, these masks make a difference. We are on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way in which we're able to get vaccines in people's arms...And the last thing — the last thing — we need is the Neanderthal thinking," said Biden on Wednesday.

Coronavirus infection and death rates are seeing a decrease across the country and worldwide. On Wednesday Biden said that a deal made with pharmaceutical companies would result in a faster rate of vaccinations nationally.

Here's a news video about the announcement:

Connecticut Announces Major Rollback On Capacity Restrictionswww.youtube.com

Dan Crenshaw rips Biden's slam on Texans for 'Neanderthal thinking': 'That's rich' coming from the guy with 'low cognitive capacity'



When Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) announced this week they were lifting their states' COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates, President Joe Biden was none too happy about it.

During a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Biden ripped into the southern governors' announcements, calling the moves a "big mistake" and praising the efficacy of restrictions and face masks.

But he wasn't done there. Instead of just disagreeing with Abbott's and Reeves' decisions, he got personal and derisive.

"We are on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way in which we're able to get vaccines in people's arms," the president said. "And the last thing — the last thing — we need is the Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime, 'everything's fine, take off your mask, forget it.'"

Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw heard Biden's slam and wasn't having it. The GOP lawmaker wondered how it was that a man whose mental state has been a growing concern since before he won the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination could attack the cognitive abilities of the leadership and citizens of the Lone Star State.

What did he say?

Crenshaw joined conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Thursday morning and addressed the president's insult head on as well as his stance on ending lockdowns and reversing restrictions and mandates.

"Congressman, let me ask you about your anti-lockdown thing," Hewitt asked. "First, the president called Texans Neanderthals yesterday. What did you make of that?"

Crenshaw didn't hold back.

"The guy with low cognitive capacity is calling everybody else Neanderthals," he said. "First of all, that's rich. I also find it rich that he's doing his sanctimonious pearl clutching over a bunch of Texans who, by the way, can still wear masks."

His ire wasn't limited to just Biden — he also let the left have a piece of his mind.

"By the reactions of the liberals on this one, you would think that Texas outlawed masks and is now arresting people who even wear a mask," Crenshaw added. "Of course, that's not true. Most people will still be wearing them."

And anyone who doesn't want to wear a mask, shouldn't be forced to, he continued.

"The truth is, if you're vaccinated, or if you already had it, maybe you don't want to wear a mask, and you certainly don't need to," he said. "There's no signs and reason to wear one. I do remember the time when the guidance was if you can't socially distance, wear a mask. Of course, that changed rather quickly."

If Biden is really is worried about Texas' "Neanderthal thinking," Crenshaw wondered, how does the president explain letting in illegal aliens at the southern border without testing them for COVID — and even knowingly letting in COVID-positive illegals?

"But here's the thing. They're very sanctimonious over that, but Biden has no problem letting illegal immigrants over the border in droves, many of which have COVID, and then they give them a bus ticket to wherever they want in the United States," Crenshaw said. "So the double standard is pretty infuriating here."

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Texas school district jumps on board with Gov. Abbott's COVID-19 restrictions revocation, immediately declares masks are no longer required



A Texas school district immediately capitalized on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's (R) Tuesday announcement rescinding the state's mask mandate, declaring that masks would no longer be required for school.

Abbott on Tuesday afternoon proclaimed that the state would be rolling back statewide COVID-19 restrictions, including mask requirements.

What are the details?

Following Abbott's announcement, the Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District stated that it, too, would rescind its district-wide mask mandate beginning March 10.

A statement from the district reads, "Lubbock-Cooper ISD has been in compliance with Governor Abbott's order regarding facial coverings, GA-29. As of Wednesday, March 10, order GA-29 is rescinded, and the State of Texas will no longer require individuals to wear facial coverings. Accordingly, Lubbock-Cooper ISD will no longer require individuals to wear facial coverings."

The district noted that any students, staff, or faculty who wish to continue wearing masks may do so.

"In following the guidance of Governor Abbott and other state officials, the district will continue to adhere to all mandates as written and will not impose any additional restrictions," the statement continued. "The district will continue disease mitigation practices, including frequent hand washing and enhanced cleaning processes. Additional information regarding COVID-19 guidelines will be provided by campus administrators in the coming days."

In Tuesday remarks, Abbott stated, "Too many Texans have been sidelined from employment opportunities. Too many small business owners have struggled to pay their bills. This must end. It is now time to open Texas 100 percent. So today, I'm issuing a new executive order that rescinds most of the earlier executive orders. Effective next Wednesday, all businesses of any type are allowed to open 100 percent. That includes any type of entity in Texas. Also, I'm ending the statewide mask mandate."

“Today's announcement does not abandon the safe practices that Texans have mastered over the past year," he pointed out. “Instead, it's a reminder that each person has their own role to play in their own personal safety as well as in the safety of others. It's a reminder that individual safety is managed every day as a matter of personal responsibility rather than by government mandate. Individual responsibility is a corollary to individual freedom, we can have both."

“Texans should continue following medical advice on preventing COVID just as they do on other medical issues," Abbott noted. “That is exactly how Texans were able to deal with infectious diseases in the past, like H1N1. They followed safe practices, and they got medical treatment when it was needed."

Abbott's executive order will go into effect on March 10.

NEW: Issuing an executive order to lift the mask mandate and open Texas to 100 percent. https://t.co/P4UywmWeuN
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@Gov. Greg Abbott)1614715821.0

(H/T: The Daily Wire)

Texas drops coronavirus restrictions, opens all businesses 100%, ends statewide mask mandate



Texas is fully reopening and the statewide mask mandate will be rescinded this week, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced Tuesday.

"Effective next Wednesday, all businesses of any type are allowed to open 100%," the governor said at a news conference announcing an end to restrictions imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19. Abbott said declining hospitalization rates across the state and increased distribution of virus vaccines were reasons to end the coronavirus restrictions.

@PatrickSvitek @GovAbbott Here is Gov. Abbott's announcement to open Texas and end the mask mandate https://t.co/3RyGdMVXvD
— The Recount (@The Recount)1614715696.0

"Texas is in a far better position now than when I issued my last executive order back in October," Abbott explained.

He indicated that if a private business still wishes to limit its capacity or enforce other virus safety precautions, the business would be free to do so without a government mandate.

"It is their business, and they get to choose to operate their business the way they want to," Abbott said. "At this time, however, people and businesses don't need the state telling them how to operate."

NEW: Issuing an executive order to lift the mask mandate and open Texas to 100 percent. https://t.co/P4UywmWeuN
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@Gov. Greg Abbott)1614715821.0

Earlier Tuesday, Abbott reported a new record number of 216,000 Texans were vaccinated against COVID-19 in a single day, noting that Texas is now distributing more than 1 million vaccine doses per week.

"This is a big reason why hospitalizations are at the lowest level in four months," the governor tweeted.

Today Texas will report a new one day record for the number of people receiving vaccines—more than 216,000.We are… https://t.co/yZ7PhvCecj
— Greg Abbott (@Greg Abbott)1614702993.0

Under Abbott's previous executive orders, Texas businesses were required to keep their occupancy at or below 75%. In areas where 15% of available hospital bed occupancy were taken up by coronavirus patients, legal max occupancy was reduced to 50%.

The new executive order will permit businesses to open at 100% occupancy, though it gives local officials in areas where COVID-19 cases are high the ability to implement "COVID mitigation strategies" at the local level.

"If COVID hospitalizations in any of the 22 hospital regions in TX rise above 15% of the hospital bed capacity in that region for 7 straight days, then a county judge in that region may use COVID mitigation strategies in their county," Abbott said.

"However, under no circumstance can a county judge put anybody in jail for not following COVID orders," he added. "And no penalties can be imposed for failing to wear a mask."

As Texas moves to reopen, federal health officials are warning states that it is still too early to lift coronavirus restrictions as new variants of the contagious disease are not fully understood by health experts.

"Please hear me clearly: At this level of cases with variants spreading, we stand to completely lose the hard-earned ground we have gained," U.S. Centers for Disease Control Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Monday. "I am really worried about reports that more states are rolling back the exact public health measures we have recommended to protect people from Covid-19."

According to the Austin American-Statesman, more than 3.5 million Texans have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, amounting to about 12.7% of the state's total population. Nearly 1.9 million people are fully vaccinated.

State Democrats are begging the governor to keep the statewide mask mandate in place.

"To prevent additional struggles and suffering, we need consistency and clarity, not carelessness and confusion," said state Rep. Richard Peña Raymond in a letter addressed to Abbott. "If we all do our part to wear face coverings, we can ultimately get back to business and realize a return to normalcy."

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) applauded the governor's decision.

"With greater access to vaccinations, better treatment options, and decreasing hospitalizations rates, the Texas approach empower citizens to exercise personal responsibility about their health in the fight against COVID-19," Phelan said in a statement.