Is Texas ‘Completely Open’?

A viral tweet is largely accurate, though some municipalities and businesses have maintained mask mandates.

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A viral tweet from Blaze TV host Elijah Schaffer states that “Texas is completely open.”

Schaffer’s tweet received further attention through being shared by popular right-wing Instagram account Rogan O’Handley.

Schaffer’s account of Texas’ coronavirus protocols are largely accurate: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order on March 2 that ended the state’s mask mandate and allowed for businesses to return to full capacity. Abbott still has another executive order in place that limits business capacity to 50 percent in hospital regions in which 15 percent or more of hospitalizations are coronavirus-related for seven straight days.

Some cities, however, still require masks on municipal property, and businesses are still able to require mask wearing. Several large chains still require masks in their stores in Texas, including Target, Sprouts, Walmart, Costco, and Whole Foods. Various restaurants and businesses maintain masking protocols as well. 

Sporting events are not “at full capacity.” While the Texas Rangers opened up their stadium to full capacity for Opening Day, that was an exception;  games following that one  have sections of the stadium at reduced capacity to allow for “distanced seating.” The Houston Astros are operating at only 50 percent capacity. Both the Rangers and the Astros require fans to wear masks while not eating. The San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks have announced reduced capacity attendance in their arenas as well.

Texas’ seven-day average for new reported coronavirus cases is at its lowest since June of last year, as is the hospitalization rate. The seven-day average for test positivity rate is at a similar low, while the death rate is the lowest it’s been since July of last year. 

Schaffer is correct to indicate that Texas has opened up significantly while maintaining low case numbers, but those in the state still must wear masks in many businesses, and sports teams have not allowed full audiences. 

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  1. B Blake McCarthy

    Houston resident here, and it seems that, go figure, most people, when treated like a responsible adult, act like an adult. In stores and restaurants that "strongly recommend" (as many signs on entry ways now state) wearing a mask, I estimate that 95% of patrons are wearing masks, and I really don't think it's been much of an issue. A friend of mine who runs a small cafe says he's received some wild yelp reviews about how he's infringing on rights on still asking for masks, but there are idiots everywhere, particularly on the internet. Life is still a little weird, but it's nothing like what my family in NorCal or the NYC/NJ area is currently dealing with.

    However, I do think mask wearing will become less prevalent over the next 6 weeks or so. A significant portion of the population here is already vaccinated, particularly amongst the most vulnerable categories, and, if you really want a vaccine and know how to log onto the internet, you can get one in relatively short order. I'm beginning to hear more complaints of "how long do I need to wear this if I've been vaccinated for 2 months," etc. Self-agency is still baked pretty highly into the traditional Texan identity, and, at a certain point, if you have something available to you that will protect you, it's your fault that you haven't taken advantage of it.

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    AaronT

    It seems to me that, conspiratorial anti-mask/-vax bluster aside, Americans by-and-large will do the right thing if treated with respect and given good, actionable un-spun information. There have been so many instances, it seems, of a paternalistic mindset in the decision making of policy makers and public health experts. Texas and Florida appear to be examples of what can happen when you sideline those voices/inclinations.

    There are going to be some fascinating public policy case studies to be done when this is all over.

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    Poliorcetes

    Seems to be geographic. In Dallas mostly still masked. People are going to outdoor events, and I suspect the maskless weren't wearing masks to start with. I do see my older vaccinated neighbors starting to get together maskless now. But outside Dallas in Ennis I saw few masks and indoor dining full. Covid is mainly in young and the remaining unvaccinated elderly at my ER. But less than age 50 have a hugely reduced level of complications so the few we get don't overwhelm the hospital. Sucks to see strokes in 30 yo but the system won't collapse from it.

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  4. David B.

    Yep. Live in a large city in TX and most every store has a mask requirement and I'd estimate >95% of the people inside stores are wearing masks.

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  5. Kyle Gionis

    I live in Texas and I would say... just because people CAN do something now doesn't mean that they ARE doing it. I don't see most restaurants operating at full capacity (and I don't know if they are not trying to do so, or not enough people feel comfortable dining in yet, or some combo of the two). Small bar band gigs are just now getting started - that's almost two months since March 3rd.

    I'm not personally worried about where things are going; I'm just saying, people should not make conclusions on faulty data.

    Oh yeah, and mask wearing (inside, not outside) is still HUGELY prevalent.

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    Jason Gibson

    This is part of the problem with both sides of the covid issue. Both are so determined to prove that all the facts are on their side they go too far and lose any integrity or trust that they otherwise might have had in making their case. Governor Abbot has won this round. But let's not paint a picture that isn't accurate

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