Local leaders and health experts calling for cancellation of ‘mask removal’ events

HOUSTON – People across the state of Lone Star will no longer need to wear facial covers and businesses will open 100% starting on Wednesday. The new order left Mayor Sylvester Turner and other elected officials concerned about “widespread events,” such as “mask” parties throughout the Houston area.

“We are not dumpsters for events that will put Texans in danger and cause people to lose their lives,” said Turner.

Governor Greg Abbott said the state continued to improve in the fight against the coronavirus, with the most recent positive rate for Texas at 7%. He added that the rate of positivity is at the lowest level in the past five months and that hospitalizations have declined.

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However, on Sunday, Turner, along with other health care and elected officials, met to condemn a local bar and other companies to host “mask out” events. They said it’s not time for a party and big meetings.

Concrete Cowboy, a bar located on Washington Avenue, is scheduled for a “mask removal” party on Wednesday, the same day that the statewide mask order will be closed.

KPRC 2 contacted the property for comment, but our calls were not answered.

Several leaders said the event is a slap in the face for those who have been working on the front lines.

“Masking events, celebrating the reckless, if not negligent, reversal of COVID-19 prevention measures, is like pouring salt into an open wound for healthcare professionals,” said Dr. Christina Propst, a pediatric physician.

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Health professionals joined city leaders asking people to remain vigilant and continue to follow COVID 19 guidelines.

“The difficult part is that we are really tired of it, but the infection is not tired of us and we are not done,” said Dr. Bich-May Nguyen, a doctor and board member at Doctors for America.

State Representative Ann Johnson said the overspread events will kick off the fourth wave of COVID-19 in the Houston area.

“This will put the lives of these health professionals, those who work at nightclubs, customers and members of the community in this neighborhood at risk,” she said.

Turner said the city surpassed the 2,000 mark for the number of people who died from COVID-19. He said that more cases are being reported each day.

“Remember that there are 5 variants in the city of Houston, and they are moving at a fast pace,” he said.

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Turner said that until more people are vaccinated, now is not the time to disappoint our guards.

“And what I would say to the governor with all due respect, there is nothing wrong with stepping back and reversing and opposing the mask’s mandate again,” he said.

Propst said that about 7% of Texans are vaccinated. To achieve collective immunity, 70% of Texans need to be vaccinated.

Here is the complete presser with local authorities and health experts on Sunday, March 7th: