After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced yesterday new guidance suggesting mask use for vaccinated Americans in areas with high COVID-19 transmission, several states have signaled they will either follow or ignore the agency's recommendations — the latest sign the pandemic has become a political issue in the United States.
The CDC's guidelines make it clear it is up to state and local officials to determine when and if mask use is appropriate based on a series of metrics, which take into account case rates and vaccine coverage.
But in a tweet yesterday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbot said he would not support mask mandates. "The time for government mask mandates is over—now is the time for personal responsibility.