Texas Independence Day is the celebration of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. With this document signed by delegates, settlers in Mexican Texas officially declared independence from Mexico and created the Republic of Texas. It remained a Republic until1845.
On March 2, 2021 Governor Greg Abbot declared another type of independence for Texans by lifting the state-wide mandatory mask requirement and opening all businesses to 100% capacity. It will be up to businesses whether to require masks for customers and employees; the governor urged “personal vigilance” as he pointed to the arrival of vaccines and good Texas economy as reasons for his decision. He tightened control over Covid restrictions by mandating that county judges could only implement restrictions if hospitalizations rose above 15% of the capacity for any of Texas’ 22 hospital regions.
Texans should have been dancing in the streets, right? 
Yes, bars and restaurants welcomed the news that they could open to full capacity. Yes, and those who did not believe in masks in the first place and considered the restrictions an assault on their freedom by the government were rejoicing. Enter the divide.
Abbot was soon criticized by those in the medical field, government leaders and even the CDC for opening the state too soon. Citizens took side on the issue. Some businesses began announcing that they would still require masks for employees and customers; others will not require them. This goes into effect Wednesday.
Personally, I am ready to get back to something like normal, but I think he should have waited until more Texans were vaccinated, COVID numbers were better and we were closer to herd immunity. Husband and I have had our second shots so we feel we have some protection, but we will not have a problem continuing to wearing a mask when required. Will it be the right decision or will cases, hospitalizations and deaths spike? Will vaccinations make a difference?
April 21 is San Jacinto Day in Texas, the day the Texan Army led by General Sam Houston defeated the Mexico Army near present-day Houston in 1836. We will see where we are by then and if Governor Abbot can claim a victory for all Texans or if he will he face defeat like General Santa Anna, the general who led the Mexican army.
THE COASTAL CRONE 
Same thing here. [Sigh]. I thank the businesses here still requiring masks for employees and customers.
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I think many of them here will too. Bars and restaurants might be different. It will be interesting to see how places handle it. And spring break starts this week so we will see. We don’t get out much anyway. We will get though it!
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I hope your governor will be a winner in this remarkable battle with the virus and the decision makers. BTW there is a wayside monument here in my neck of Virginia…dedicated to Sam Houston who was born in my county in a log cabin!
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Oh, I hope our governor will come out a victor in this! He is up for re-election in 2022 so if all goes well he will be a hero. Texas owes a lot to Sam Houston – glad your state recognizes his place of birth. Take care, Dor! We will get through this – state by state. Hope all is well with you.
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Good points, Jo. We will see how it goes. I’m staying masked up myself.
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Yes, that is all we can do. Spring break is here this week so I fear many will feel not to wear masks. It will be interesting to see what places in Port A.will do about masks. Stay tuned. We don’t get out much anyway but feel better being around family. Thanks for stopping by, John.
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If everyone has the shot then all are safe. So says the CDC.
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I guess time will tell whether your governor’s decision is a good one. Great that you and your husband got both shots. We’re still waiting to get our first. Robert will get his end of March and I’ll get mine mid-April. Canada seems to have ended up near the bottom of the totem pole for vaccine distribution. Fortunately, our numbers haven’t been as high as other countries. But the variants are scary and so, we’re still keeping up with all the health advisories. Stay well, Jo.
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That is good news that you and your husband are scheduled for vaccinations soon. The rollout here was slow but it seems to be picking up and it is easier to get them scheduled. Now it seems that it is open to everyone so maybe it will work. I hope so as we are all tired of the restrictions. Stay well!
I am looking forward to reading your new book as it comes out soon!
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Dear Jo Nell, I believe a great many people outside Texas will be watching the effects of your Governor’s decision. Here in British Columbia bookings for vaccinations for those 90 year and over and 65 years and over for First Nation people started today. I will be able to book March 15. The delay has been our non delivery of vaccines but that is changing. Once everyone who wants a vaccine has it then the tight restrictions on restaurants and such will be lifted. They think around July. Until then everyone will continue to wear masks and practice social distancing. I am so looking forward to the summer and life getting back to some kind of normal.. Excellent that you and Bill have had both shots. Stay safe dear friend. Big hugs Virginia
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Wouldn’t that be glorious to be free by summer!! We hate wearing the masks and have not been to a restaurant in over a year. It just did not seem right to be served your meal by someone wearing masks. The end is near! Wine has gotten me though it. ha! Stay safe until you get those shots, my friend. Hugs!
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I’m happy to hear that you and your husband were able to have both shots! I hope everything goes well in Texas!
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Thanks! We do feel better having had our shots. I hope we don’t have a spike in hospitalizations and deaths but I am optimistic with more being vaccinated every day that we will pull out of this.The governor has made his decision so we will see. Fingered crossed for Texas and the rest of the US! We are all in this together – stay well where you are. Maybe a little magick will keep you safe!
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Your post, and the comments here are some of the more sane and rational ones I’ve seen. It is time, I think, for governments to make decisions based on risk analysis, not fear; for people to choose what level of restriction they wish to live by, not what level the government forces on them; for everyone to go back to work in the way they choose, for no one to be forced to stay at home and be deemed non-essential.
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Thanks! I tend to be a practical person generally and make my own decisions after looking at what facts I have. And I won’t live in fear. Overall it is not a bad decision to open up as I see that many people are still wearing masks and taking precautions until more are vaccinated. People seem to feel better when they can make their own decisions without government telling them what to do. Government should provide facts so we can choose our risk and restriction. Thanks for lending your voice.
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That’s a very good point, and one I hadn’t thought of before. All we get is the news that “Texas has opened up completely and far too soon.” We don’t hear about the many people who are still opting to wear masks, or those businesses who choose to require them. And I agree, people are much more willing to cooperate when it is there own decision, and not something forced on them. I hope that Missouri can open up soon, and I also hope I can get the vaccine soon!
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From the beginning, I’ve made my own decisions about how best to deal with the virus, and my behavior won’t change one way or another because of Governor Abbot’s decision. It’s interesting that today’s new advisories from the CDC suggest that he and other governors who are allowing openings may not be quite so “out there” as some suggest. It is going to be interesting to see how things are by San Jacinto Day. Personally, I think a lot of people are going to be pleasantly surprised.
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I am optimistic too and hope Abbot’s decision was a good one. I was disappointed that Biden called it “Neanderthal thinking.” I thought name calling went out with Trump. There are so many things that the CDC does not know and tends to be very cautious. I want Texas to do well economically and to defeat the virus; if Abbot looks good in the process, I am fine with that.
I haven’t been to the San Jacinto Monument in years. Our daughter was born on that day and we took her there when she was only a few weeks old. I think we imprinted her with history as she has a degree in history and is the historian on the USS Lexington.
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My husband and I have both shots. We will feel comfortable being with others who have had both shots. We will continue to wear our masks in public – and avoid crowds – because we have no idea what the status is of the health of others. When we have 70 – 80% of our country vaccinated (soon, I hope) we’ll feel comfortable taking off our masks. I’m not sure I’ll ever feel 100% comfortable doing such things as shaking hands, etc. Elbow to elbow is much more sanitary. I’m not a fan of your governor but, of course, I hope his gamble pans out and doesn’t end up hurting Texans any more than they have been already. .
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I am glad you and your husband have had the shots. It does feel good to feel some degree of protection. We are a family that hugs so we continued hugging our children. Perhaps hand shaking will not come back as people may be uncomfortable as you are. I am no fan of Governor Abbot either but I too hope his gamble pans out. We can only take it day by day!
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A month or so later would be better than now…
Happy to hear you and your husband had both shots.
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Thanks, Amy! His decision has been made. I hope it proves to have been the right one. Take care and stay safe!
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Belated Happy Independence Day in Texas. Thanks for a Texans perspective – and I will everyone the best.
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Thanks, Frank! Texans are still an independent bunch. Funny, many businesses are choosing to keep the mask requirement.and many are happy with that. At least now we have a choice.
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I’m seeing that on the news. Interesting times and it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
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While I completely understand people’s desire to get back to normal after a whole year of this dealing with this virus, I personally would have been more comfortable if he had waited another month or two to open things up. Just my opinion, though.
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I tried to reply to your first comment but for some reason could not. Yes, people always seem to corporate if the decision is theirs rather than being told they have to do something. Today is the first day of the mask mandate lifting. Most businesses have chosen to keep the mask requirement until more people are vaccinated. But I can see bars not requiring them. Today Biden announced that there should be enough for everyone by the end of May.
I hope you and your husband get your shots soon and Missouri is able to open up more. Your state has a celebration coming up – 200 years of statehood this August. May you really have something to celebrate! Stay well!
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Here’s hoping you stay safe and it all works out in the end!
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Thanks, Andrea! I am hoping it will not turn out badly. We have had two weeks of spring break so we will see if that makes cases worse. At least the kids were outside at the beach with plenty of wind. Thanks for the visit. Stay well & Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
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Fantastic News Jo…. So wish our country would have the same foresight,….. Hope you are all well and get back into the swing of BE-ing again…
Love and Well wishes Jo.. ❤
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Thanks, Sue. We will see how it goes. So far so good. Yes, the incredible lightness of BE-ing!
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Such a mixture of hope and uncertainty still, right? I hope you will be safe and I know you will take whatever actions keep you both safest. All my best, my friend.
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Yes, you described it very well – hope and uncertainty! So far so good! We have had second vaccinations but wear masks whenever required. Vaccinations have been opened up to all Texans so Son and Daughter will be getting theirs. Dr. Fauci says we are at the corner but haven’t turned it yet. May you and your family continue to stay well!
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