More Texas school districts announce mask mandates

Despite an executive order by Governor Abbott which prohibits public school districts from enforcing mask mandates, some of Texas’ largest districts have already defied his order and will require masks in their schools. Some of the districts that will require students and staff to mask up this fall include Alamo Heights ISD, Austin ISD, Dallas ISD, East Central ISD, Fort Worth ISD, Judson ISD, Houston ISD and San Antonio ISD.

Abbott’s office responded to the school districts’ actions to defy the governor’s order on Tuesday, saying in part, “we are all working to protect Texas children and those most vulnerable among us, but violating the Governor’s executive orders-and violating parental rights, is not the way to do it.” Abbott’s office is encouraging Texans who are eligible to get vaccinated against the virus.

The Texas Department of State Health Services announced Thursday it will be a week until all 2,500 promised medical personnel arrive in Texas to assist with the current surge in the state’s COVID-19 cases as the entire country faces nursing shortages.

As of August 12, the TX DSHS is reporting more than 10,700 COVID-19 hospitalizations, 221,494 active cases and 52,787 confirmed deaths. The number of Texans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 stands at 53.86%.