Local leaders and health experts urge cancellation of “cover-up” events

HOUSTON – People across the Lone Star state will no longer have to wear coatings and companies will open 100% starting Wednesday. The new order makes Mayor Sylvester Turner and other elected officials concerned about “general publicity events,” such as “masked” parties throughout the Houston area.

“We’re not the landfill of events that will endanger jeans and cause loss of life for people,” Turner said.

Gov. Greg Abbott said the state has continued to improve in the fight against coronavirus, as Texas’ most recent positivity rate is 7%. He added that the positivity rate is the lowest it has been in five months and that hospitalizations have gone down.

Announcements

However, on Sunday, Turner, along with other health and elected officials, met to condemn a local bar and other companies for organizing “cover-up” events. They said it was not the time to party and have big meetings.

Concrete Cowboy, a bar on Washington Avenue, is scheduled to have a “free mask” party on Wednesday, the same day the statewide ordering of masks ends.

KPRC 2 contacted the establishment for comment, but our phone calls have not been returned.

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

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

Announcements

Health workers joined the city leaders and urged people to stay alert and follow the guidelines of COVID 19.

“The hardest part is that we’re really tired, but the infection doesn’t tire us out and we’re not done,” said Dr. Bich-May Nguyen, a doctor and board member of Doctors for America.

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

“It will endanger the lives of these health workers, those who work at nightclubs, customers and community members in this neighborhood,” he said.

Turner said the city has surpassed the mark of 2,000 people who have died from COVID-19. He said more cases are being reported every day.

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

Announcements

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

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

Propst said about 7% of jeans are vaccinated. Although to achieve herd immunity, 70% of jeans need the vaccine.

Here is the full press release with local officials and health experts on Sunday, March 7: