Despite Governor Abbott’s lifting of the face mask order, students and teachers at Bowie High School think face masks are worth it and think that people should continue to have them on for the health and safety of others around them.

According to the Office of the Texas Governor website, on July 2nd, 2020 Governor Greg Abbot issued an Executive Order requiring all Texans to wear a face-covering over the nose and mouth. Then on March 2nd, Governor Abbot issued an executive order lifting the mask mandate in Texas and increasing the capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100 percent. The Governor made the announcement at  Montelongo’s Mexican Restaurant in Lubbock in an address to the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. 

Once it came to the restriction about gatherings many people felt annoyed about it while others thought it would be helpful. 

9th grader Angelina Goh didn´t have much to say about the gathering restrictions but she does feel differently about wearing face masks. 

“I don’t like face masks but I think face masks are beneficial to human health/human safety,¨ she said.

But, not much changed after many people including English teacher Bailey Carr said that face masks aren’t the best but they are important for human safety. 

“Face masks are ok,” she said. “They are kind of annoying because sometimes I have dog hair that will tickle my face and it’s hard to breathe at times. I think they are beneficial to our safety. I think they keep other people’s germs contained to them instead of being spread to others.”

While many Texans got confused as to why Governor Abbot lifted the face mask order, others felt disrespected because they believe people that choose not to wear the masks are selfish. 

11th grader Kiara Drake didn’t get along with the face mask lift as well because she didn’t understand why Governor Abbot made that choice. 

¨I see it as disrespect to Texans because he is focusing on what people’s personal opinions are his opinion over WHAT SCIENTISTS HAVE SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN,” Drake said. “I think that the spread of the virus is going to get worse. I live with my grandma who is 66 years old and is at high risk so I will choose to continue to wear my face mask when I am out.”