As the number of new COVID-19 cases recorded per day has decreased across the nation, some states are lifting restrictions on businesses as well as mask-wearing mandates.
Texas and Mississippi led the way last week when the two states’ governors announced that they would lift mask mandates and allow businesses to reopen at 100% capacity.
The announcement was met with derision by President Joe Biden, who likened the move to “neanderthal thinking.”
However, he is not the only one who is skeptical of the decision to lift mask-wearing mandates.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) on Sunday urged states not to lift mask mandates yet. During an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” he said, “I don’t like the mask either.”
“I have a saying, ‘One robin doesn’t make spring.’ And you, you know, when the first robins start coming back, if you just react and run out, ‘Oh you know it’s wonderful. It’s spring! It’s spring!’ You’re about to get hit by a winter storm and absolutely get your butt handed to you,” he continued.”
Finally, he said, “We need to be a little more cautious. Nobody likes the mask. But for crying out loud, if you could be a little more prudent for 30 more days, or 45 more days, or whatever it took for us to get on rock solid ground, that’s the approach West Virginia’s going to take.”
Watch the video below:
West Virginia Governor @JimJusticeWV on other states lifting mask mandates during COVID-19
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) March 7, 2021
“For crying out loud, if you could be a little more prudent…for us to get on rock solid ground, that’s the approach West Virginia’s going to take." pic.twitter.com/G0BzkOJLED
In a statement announcing the decision to lift the mask-wearing mandate and other restrictions, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said, “We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas 100 percent.”
“Make no mistake, COVID-19 has not disappeared, but it is clear from the recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations, and safe practices that Texans are using that state mandates are no longer needed,” he added.
However, Biden blasted the move as he said, “I think it’s a big mistake. Look, I hope everybody’s realized by now these masks make a difference. We are on the cusp of fundamentally changing the nature of this disease because of the way in which we’re able to get vaccines in peoples’ arms.”
“And the last thing, the last thing, we need is neanderthal thinking that ‘in the meantime everything’s fine, take off your mask, forget it.’ It still matters,” he added.