Texas Supreme Court rules against mask mandates in Dallas, Bexar counties

UPI ^ | 16 August A.D. 2021 | Darryl Coote

[lightman]

Aug. 16 (UPI) -- The Texas Supreme Court has temporarily blocked Dallas and Bexar counties from mandating masks at public schools, siding with a ban from the state's Republican governor's barring government institutions from requiring face coverings amid surging COVID-19 cases.

The temporary injunctions put in place Sunday come in response to a flurry of litigation over the weekend concerning Gov. Greg Abbott's ban, which he issued by arguing that "Texans, not government, should decide their best health practices."

As the start of the new school year approaches, several independent school boards have imposed mask mandates despite the executive order, including Dallas and Bexar Counties who announced their directives last week.

The two counties issued their mandates after a judge granted a temporary restraining order against the ban. RELATED NIH director: U.S. could see 200,000 daily COVID-19 cases in 'next couple of weeks'

In response, Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a petition in the 4th Court of Appeals San Antonio, which upheld the restraining order, while the 5th Court of Appeals in Dallas ruled against Abbott's attempt to stay an order from Judge Clay Jenkins mandating masks, prompting the Republican state leaders to seek relief from the state's Supreme Court.

The high court ruling will stand as the case moves forward.

"Let this ruling serve as a reminder to all [districts] and local officials that the governor's order stands," Paxton said in a statement.

The order does not ban masks in schools, but bars any requirement that children wear them, which many local leaders have argued are necessary for schools as many students are too young to be vaccinated against the virus. The measure, they say, is not only intended to protect students but teachers, staff and their families.

The city of San Antonio issued a statement following the ruling that its mask mandate "remains in effect," stating the court's ruling against their temporary restraining order has "little practical effect" as it was to expire by Monday's hearing.

"The City of San Antonio and Bexar County's response to the Texas Supreme Court continues to emphasize that the governor cannot use his emergency powers to suspend laws that provide local entities the needed flexibility to act in an emergency," city attorney Andy Segovia said. "His suspension authority is meant to facilitate action, not prohibit it."

The Dallas Independent School District also announced that they "still require masks be worn on district property" when schools restart on Monday.

Jenkins said in a statement after the ruling that he expects they will win Monday's case.

"This should never be a political fight," he said. "We're at war on behalf of moms and dads and kids against a deadly virus. I sure wish the governor would join our side of the battle."

Texas health officials on Saturday reported almost 22,000 new cases, compared to an average of about 1,000 per day in June.

[lightman]

The order does not ban masks in schools, but bars any requirement that children wear them

[V_TWIN]

Same here in Fla. The gov signed an EO saying no mask mandates in schools do the schools made the kids that aren’t gonna wear masks fill out paper work...the lib teachers and superintendents are buggin’.

Friggin’ control freaks.

[lightman]

It’s all about teaching COMPLIANCE….
...not about "following science”:

Masks are:

1) a sign of submission, subversion and subjugation
2) mandated in order to dehumanize
3) virtue signaling devices
4) meant to provide constant reinforcement of fear
5) used to destroy community, friends and family normal communication
6) implemented to create isolation, confusion, anxiety, destroy human connectivity, trust and interactions
7) mandated to exacerbate illness
8) intended to aid in the abandonment of the belief and reliance on our immune systems
9) intended to refute integrous science
10) signal to positions of power that you are willing to give up all of your rights and freedoms based on anything they say, even if it is a BIG FAT LIE!

[castowell]

It’s time for Clay Jenkins, the DISD Superintendant, and a few others to cool their heels in jail until they get on board with the ruling of the state Supreme Court!

[libertylover]

We're at war on behalf of moms and dads, and kids against a deadly virus.

Reading between the lines: "We're at war on behalf of moms and dads and kids [who are too stupid to know what's good for them} against a deadly virus.

[TLI]

The Dallas Independent School District also announced that they "still require masks be worn on district property" when schools restart on Monday.

(Clay) Jenkins said in a statement after the ruling that he expects they will win Monday's case.

Clay Jekins is a screeching prog PITB that will automatically do the opposite of anything related to normal if it follows the TDS agenda.

You could bet $100.00 bills on it.

.

[Lockbox]

Mask's should be a personal choice, not mandated. We were told to wear masks to bend the curve. We locked down and bent the curve, even though the mask does not stop a virus. Then we were told to vaccinate, now apparently the vaccination does not last very long and does not work against Delta Covid-19. So the creditability of our leaders in this issue is wanting. People need to do what they feel is best for them.

Voters need to remove these liars from office next election cycle.

[lightman]

I’m not going to take mask “orders” seriously unless and until border security is taken seriously.

[Lockbox]

This government has lost all credibility, allow 100 of thousands illegally into the country, no idea if they are safe from Covid19, ship them all over the country spreading COVID and the demand we mask to stop the latest outbreak. Do the really think we are that stupid?

[ro_dreaming]

“This should never be a political fight,” he said. “We’re at war on behalf of moms and dads and kids against a deadly virus. I sure wish the governor would join our side of the battle.”

No it should NOT be a political fight, but you’re making it one.

The order bars masks being REQUIRED.

It leaves them as optional and up to the decision of the parent and student. As it should be.

A$$hats, all of them.

We need to get the Dept. of Education disbanded and fully back to all local decisions. Those school board members would be voted out (or recalled and replaced) pretty dang quickly I think. At least, in my school district.

[lightman]

Bingo.

I am vehemently opposed to mandatory masking.

I am equally vehemently opposed to banning VOLUNTARY masking.

It’s called FREEDOM!