By Vijayalakshmi Linman, Communications & Legislative volunteer

Should it be a question at this point? What was Gov. Greg Abbott thinking? What facts did he base his decision on when he said he was going to open Texas businesses 100%? And lift restrictions on wearing a mask in public? 

Did Abbott seek recommendations from the CDC? Or the public health experts from the great State of Texas? Did he look at any scientific data that might support his decision?

Here are some facts from the CDC and Johns Hopkins University: Texas ranks 48th in administering the Covid-19 vaccine to its residents. Daily cases have increased 75.9% in the past couple weeks in Texas. 

Dr. Fauci (the infectious disease expert and current chief medical adviser to the president) is saying that it’s critical we follow medical experts’ recommendations during the next few months, as the pandemic is on the cusp of a fourth wave by new variants. Now is not the time to relax and lift restrictions.

Fifty-three million adults have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. So far, only 20.7% of the adult population has been vaccinated nationally. Texas has vaccinated only six to seven percent of its adult population; while this is progress in the right direction, it is absolutely not the right time to declare victory over the virus.

President Joe Biden and public health experts are saying all adults in the United States can be vaccinated by May. That is fantastic. Can we all work together and make sure it happens? It will take effort from everyone in the community to win this war on the virus. This is not a political issue; it is a global pandemic.

Please continue following these three simple preventive steps: 

  • Wash your hands frequently;
  • Maintain social distancing and wear masks in public; and,
  • Get vaccinated as quickly as possible when it is your turn. 

We have lost 500,000 friends and family members – fellow Americans – to Covid-19 in the last year. But this new reality is not forever. We can keep fighting for another three to four months to ensure we kick this thing once and for all.