A Texas federal judge has recently ruled against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order earlier about mask mandates. Despite mask mandates being imposed federally, Abbott in an emergency order issued earlier put a ban on all government entities’ mandating masks. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton along with Gov. Greg Abbott both vowed to sue any organization or entity that does not comply with the ban on mask mandates.
U.S. district federal judge Lee Yeakel however ruled against this ban, deciding that the Disabilities Act in the American constitution is above this executive order. In a 29-page ruling, the judge brought forth the ADA, implying that Greg Abbott’s ban goes against the law.
The judge said, “The spread of COVID-19 poses an even greater risk for children with special health needs. Children with certain underlying conditions who contract COVID-19 are more likely to experience severe acute biological effects and to require admission to a hospital and the hospital’s intensive-care unit,” adding, “This includes children with conditions including, Down syndrome, organ transplants, lung conditions, heart conditions, and weakened immune systems.”
Gov. Greg Abbott hasn’t responded to the ruling yet. Judge Yeakel also added, “The evidence presented by Plaintiffs establishes that Plaintiffs are being denied the benefits of in-person learning on an equal basis as their peers without disabilities.” This ruling prevents either the Governor or attorney general from implementing the fine they put on people not following the ban on mask mandates.
