Abbott is criticized for his ban on mask mandates as cases soar in Texas.

U.S.|Abbott is criticized for his prohibition connected disguise mandates arsenic cases soar successful Texas.

The dilemma sounded familiar. A prominent, ambitious red-state governor, who had staked retired a steadfast presumption opposed to disguise mandates and different assertive measures to combat the dispersed of the virus, abruptly recovered himself connected the antiaircraft arsenic cases and hospitalizations soared successful his state.

First, it was Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. Now it is Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, who is facing withering disapproval arsenic I.C.U. beds person dwindled to the azygous digits successful Austin and wellness officials successful San Antonio person labeled its hazard level conscionable a measurement beneath critical. But Mr. Abbott remains steadfast successful his refusal to enact immoderate statewide mandate portion helium prohibits section officials from doing truthful successful their ain communities.

“The politician has shown a callous disregard for beingness and information successful defiance of wide aesculapian guidance and is risking the information of our children and the betterment of our economy,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg of San Antonio said.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for Mr. Abbott said helium was focusing connected idiosyncratic responsibility, but she did not code the specifics of the state’s Covid crisis.

“Governor Abbott has been wide that we indispensable trust connected idiosyncratic responsibility, not authorities mandates,” the connection said. “Every Texan has a close to take for themselves and their children whether they volition deterioration masks, unfastened their businesses, oregon get vaccinated.”

The connection besides said that portion each eligible Texans were urged to get vaccinated, the vaccine itself “will ever stay voluntary and ne'er forced successful Texas.”