Greg Abbott did not consult 3 of his 4 medical consultants about the mask lift request

In April 2020, an optimistic governor Greg Abbott announced at the Texas Capitol that he would soon take the first steps to allow the reopening of companies during the coronavirus pandemic.

The easing of the restrictions, his team said, would be reported by an “attack force” across the state, made up of business leaders and four medical experts who would advise the governor on a safe and gradual plan.

“Every recommendation, every action by the governor will be informed and based on hard data and the experience of our top medical consultants,” said James Huffines, a former bank executive Abbott named as president of the attack force at the time. Everything we do will be medically safe. These nationally recognized consultants are the leading experts in their fields and we will count on their knowledge and experience every step of the way.

Since then, Texas has suffered two outbreaks of severe cases and thousands of deaths. Abbott imposed an order for masks in July, and the distribution of the vaccine began to give residents reasons for hope. On Tuesday, Abbott stirred again by announcing the revocation of his mask order and declaring “now is the time to open Texas 100%”.

This time, however, Abbott’s team of medical consultants appeared to play a minimal role in the decision. Three of the four said on Wednesday that Abbott had not consulted them directly before the drastic policy change. The fourth said it could not say whether the move was a good idea.

One of these advisers expressed open reservations about the move.

“I don’t think this is the right time,” said Dr. Mark McClellan, former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and director of the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy at Duke University, in a statement. “Texas has made some real progress, but it is too early for a full reopening and to stop masking around other people.”

McClellan said he “was not consulted before the announcement”.

Dr. Parker Hudson, an assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Texas at Austin Medical School in Austin, also told The Texas Tribune that he “was not involved in the decision”, but did not comment on whether he thought it was a good idea.

Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the state’s Department of Health Services, also said he did not have a direct conversation with Abbott before the announcement, although he said he spoke to the governor’s team. Hellerstedt told a panel of members of the state chamber on Wednesday afternoon that he and Abbott were on the same page. He said the governor’s decision did not diminish security.

“I think the difference is, should you wear a mask? The answer is absolutely yes, ”said Hellerstedt to the Chamber’s Public Health Committee. “Does the governor want people to wear a mask and take personal responsibility for doing so? The answer, I believe, is yes.

The only expert on the team who spoke to Abbott was Dr. John Zerwas, executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Texas System and a former Republican state representative. Zerwas told the Tribune that he told Abbott that he could not say whether now was the right time to remove restrictions on the pandemic. But he advised Abbott that if he rescinded those restrictions, Abbott, “in the same breath,” should “continue to emphasize the importance of public health measures that have allowed us to continue to truly overcome this pandemic.”

“And I believe he did that,” said Zerwas.

Abbott’s order makes Texas the largest state in the country without a mask mandate. It allows companies, including restaurants, bars, retail stores and sports facilities to operate at 100% capacity. The move goes against the guidance of most medical experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States.

“I think that we at CDC have been very clear that now is not the time to release all restrictions,” said CDC director Rochelle Walensky of the decision.

Renae Eze, Abbott’s spokesman, said in a statement that “the governor speaks regularly with Dr. Hellerstedt and Dr. Zerwas, along with others in the medical community, about yesterday’s announcement. Everyone agreed that Texans should continue to follow medical advice and safety standards in preventing COVID-19 to protect themselves and their loved ones, just as they do with other medical issues. ”

Democrats attacked, calling Tuesday’s announcement dangerously premature and fearing it would lead to a dangerous increase in cases. State Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, tweeted that the virus has already had a disproportionate impact on black Texans and that Abbott “has signed death sentences for black communities.”

Many members of Abbott’s hardline party, including Texas GOP President Allen West, have asked Abbott for weeks to end restrictions on coronavirus.

Some state business leaders expressed support on Wednesday. The Texas Restaurant Association thanked Abbott for “outlining a plan today that will remove costly business restrictions for most of the state, where we are seeing significant improvements in our COVID-19 case, number of hospitalizations and vaccinations.”

Disclosure: James Huffines, The Texas Restaurant Association, University of Texas at Austin and University of Texas System have financially supported The Texas Tribune, a non-profit, non-partisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and sponsors corporate. Financial supporters play no role in Tribune journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

Correction, March 3, 2021: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this story incorrectly described James Huffines as a lobbyist. Huffines is a former bank executive who twice served as chairman of the University of Texas System Board of Regents.