Name: As coronavirus cases surge, masks prove divisive in some Texas hot spots
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As coronavirus cases surge, masks prove divisive in some Texas hot spots

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Austin American-StatesmanView CommentsAs coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across Texas, community leaders in some of the hardest hit areas are confronting an enduring challenge: How to get more people to wear masks.Health experts have said wearing masks in public spaces — combined with social distancing and frequent hand washing — is the best way to limit transmission of the coronavirus, which spreads through respiratory droplets.Gov. Greg Abbott, facing a public health disaster in early July, with COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths mounting, , with few exceptions.But nearly five months later, as mask-wearing has been colored by national politics, the issue remains divisive.Abbott’s order includes a fine for people who violate the mask requirement and states that local officials “can and should enforce'' the order and any local restrictions that are consistent with the face covering requirement — if they do not include penalties that could result in arrest or jail time.Some Texas cities have adopted enforcement measures to increase compliance with Abbott’s mandate, imposing penalties on businesses that do not require face coverings in addition to fining individuals who go without masks in public.Other cities have opted to emphasize .In Austin, business owners could face a civil lawsuit if their workers are not wearing masks, according to a measure adopted by the City Council in July to mitigate the spread of the virus in workplaces.The city adopted additional measures to enforce other local mandates, including fines of up to $2,000 for anyone who violates any rule adopted by the local health authority.But in some of the state’s current coronavirus hot spots, where COVID-19 hospitalizations are highest, officials have struggled with how — or in some cases, whether — to boost compliance with safety precautions recommended by public health officials.El PasoEl Paso County, the ninth most populous county in Texas, has seen more than 83,000 coronavirus cases — the fourth highest number in the state — and more than 1,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Coronavirus patients make up about 40% of all hospitalizations in the El Paso trauma service area.County Judge Ricardo Samaniego shut down nonessential businesses earlier this month, but local restaurant owners, joined by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton successfully sued to block the order.On Tuesday, county officials adopted a six-day nighttime curfew for social activity — but it doesn’t apply to working or shopping.Samaniego in October required face coverings in public spaces with possible fines of up to $250, while business could be fined up to $500 for failing to comply."We're now cautiously anticipating the outcome of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas, New Year’s and the terrifying effects of the flu season," Samaniego said Tuesday.AmarilloCOVID-19 patients in Panhandle hospitals also make up about 40% of the hospitals’ capacity. In the two counties that Amarillo straddles, officials have recorded more than 22,000 coronavirus cases and 261 deaths since March.On Monday, the Amarillo City Council voted to allow local authorities to declare any business or public setting a “public nuisance” if owners fail to follow safety standards set by the city — including requiring face coverings for employees and patrons.Any business found in violation could face a fine of up to $2,000.“We’re in the middle of a crisis, and we have to do something,” said Council Member Eddy Sauer at Monday’s meeting. “We’re in a desperate time, and we need desperate help. I see this as a critical, critical crossroads.”Ahead of the City Council vote, some spoke out against the measure.“We are not children, and this is not some kindergarten class. You do not know what's best for the people,” one resident said on the Zoom meeting. “We do not need the local government coming in and telling us what's best for our health.”Midland-OdessaIn Midland and Odessa, local officials are divided on masks.In Midland, which has recorded 7,027 coronavirus cases and 132 deaths, city officials have rejected numerous proposals in recent weeks to enhance regulations surrounding masks.One proposal would have called on businesses to require masks or face a $500 fine. Another would have required local police to enforce Abbott’s statewide mask order. Another would have required businesses to place signs on their property telling customers that they must wear masks.The City Council rejected all three proposals.Up until this week, city leaders in Odessa also had declined to enforce the statewide mask order. Ector County, where Odessa is located, has reported 8,680 coronavirus cases and 134 deaths since March.But on Tuesday, Mayor David Turner issued a declaration requiring Odessa businesses to display signs telling customers that masks are required, including a possible fine of up to $250 for those that do not comply with the declaration.“We need to get the numbers for hospitalization rate below 15%,” Turner said at a press conference Tuesday. “We are begging and pleading for people to wear masks.”About 17% of the area’s hospital beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients.LubbockCity officials in Lubbock on Tuesday said they are struggling to get residents to follow mask and social distancing guidelines.The city has recorded 30,054 coronavirus cases and 325 deaths since March, and in the past week roughly 27% of all hospitalizations in the area were coronavirus patients.The city has not adopted any measures to impose fines on individuals and businesses violating Abbott’s mask order.“We continue to implement the governors’ orders to the T of the law,” Mayor Dan Pope said Tuesday, according to . “We will make decisions based on facts, not on fear. We’ll remain flexible, and we will stay the course with our effort.”LaredoIn April, Laredo became the first city to impose a fine on residents who were seen in public without face masks, according to The The original fine was $1,000 for violations, a number that city officials have raised in the intervening months. As of Nov. 16, people could for not wearing masks in public.City leaders also have adopted a policy allowing officials to pull the certificate of occupancy for businesses found to be in violation of any local public health ordinance.“I’d rather bury them in debt than bury them in a coffin,” City Council Member George Altgelt said in April, at a specially called meeting when the council adopted the initial fine.Still, the number of coronavirus cases continues to climb in the city, with health officials there reporting at least four days with more than 300 new cases during November. Previously, the city had seen only three days with more than 300 new cases since the start of the pandemic, according to .Laredo has reported more than 19,200 coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic, and 390 fatalities. COVID-19 hospitalizations make up more than a quarter of hospital capacity in the Laredo area.View Comments

Austin American-StatesmanView CommentsAs coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across Texas, community leaders in some of the hardest hit areas are confronting an enduring challenge: How to get more people to wear masks.Health experts have said wearing masks in public spaces — combined with social distancing and frequent hand washing — is the best way to limit transmission of the coronavirus, which spreads through respiratory droplets.Gov. Greg Abbott, facing a public health disaster in early July, with COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths mounting, , with few...

As coronavirus cases surge, masks prove divisive in some Texas hot spots

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