For weeks, public health leaders across the US have stressed that now is not the time to ease Covid-19 restrictions and let up on safety measures, warning that another potentially dangerous surge, fueled by variants, could come soon.
Despite the repeated warnings, more governors are easing Covid-19 measures.
With less than 7% of residents in his state fully vaccinated and as communities are still reeling from a devastating series of winter storms. Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order rescinding most of his previous virus-related orders.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said starting Wednesday, the state would be lifting its country mask mandates and allowing businesses to operate at full capacity.
“Our hospitalizations and case numbers have plummeted, and the vaccine is being rapidly distributed. It is time,” said Reeves.
However, health experts said now is not the time to lift the restrictions.
“This is a gigantic mistake,” Dr. Jonathan Reiner, professor of medicine at George Washington University, said of the Texas and Mississippi announcements. “We’ve seen this movie and it doesn’t turn out well.”
