Republican Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen says the Texans who clamored for a swift reopening of businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic but refuse to wear masks in public are putting both the public’s health and the state’s fragile economy at risk.
“I don’t know what message they are sending other than the message of stupidity that they’re not going to wear a face covering in public. Well, pick it. Either you want the economy open or you want to be selfish and not wear a face covering when you are out in the public.”
Bonnen told the USA TODAY Network in an interview
The interview Tuesday afternoon came amid state and national news reports that scores of people took to the stores, restaurants and beaches over the Memorial Day weekend without exercising social distancing or using face coverings.
The holiday weekend that traditionally launches the summer vacation season coincided with the recent relaxations of state and local rules aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19, the sometimes deadly illness caused by coronavirus.
The message by Bonnen, who is not seeking re-election this year, took at aim at some in the conservative movement who see mask wearing as bending to government interference with personal freedom.
“I don’t know what message they are sending other than the message of stupidity that they’re not going to wear a face covering in public.”
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen
On Friday, the head of the Bexar County Republican Party called a news conference outside San Antonio City Hall to push back against local guidelines that encourage people to wear masks in public and encourage local businesses to require face coverings for customers.
“If we don’t want to wear a mask, it’s our choice,” said Cynthia Brehm, the county GOP chairwoman. “This is America and we shouldn’t have to be forced or mandated to wear a mask.”
Bonnen called such actions short-sighted and divisive.
“Some of these folks are just looking to make political statements. But the reality of it is, wearing a face covering (is meant) to protect your friend or your neighbor.”
Speaker Bonnen
When Gov. Greg Abbott began allowing businesses to resume operations, with some restrictions on capacity and customer distancing, he specifically barred cities and counties from imposing fines and other penalties against people who defied local face-covering and other guidelines aimed at containing COVID-19
But in a public service announcement ahead of the holiday weekend, the second-term Republican encouraged Texans to follow such guidelines regardless.
“If you go out in public, stay six feet apart from others, wear a face covering, and wash your hands regularly,” Abbott says in the 30-second video spot.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, one of the early champions of easing the restrictions on businesses, also said he is practicing behavior to minimize his own risk of contracting the virus.
“I wear a mask when I’m out,” the Republican who leads the Texas Senate said on WFAA-TV’s Inside Texas Politics over the weekend. “I’m very careful about what I do. But I’m not living in fear. I’m just being smart about what I do.”
According to data compiled by the market research firm, Statista, Texas ranks far below the nation’s other large states in both the per capita number of reported cases of coronavirus and in the death rate.
As of Tuesday, Texas has seen more than 56,500 cases of the virus and at least 1,536 deaths. When applied to the state’s population as a whole, that works out to about five deaths per 100,000 people. The rate in New York, by contrast, has had about 150 deaths per 100,000 people.
But there risks, both political and health-related, to wholesale reopening of the economy. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, told Congress in mid-May that “really serious” consequences could occur if states are not adequately prepared to deal with higher infection rates as a result of relaxed restrictions.
Bonnen said for Texas, that means understanding that the virus remains even as the economy returns to life.
“I think there is some level of either intentional confusion or unintentional confusion that opening the economy up doesn’t mean those health guidelines don’t matter.”
Speaker Bonnen
“As a matter of fact, we’re going to have to work around COVID-19 for the coming months to be successful with our economy,” he added. “What we’re learning is that we can probably go out and do most everything we were doing pre-virus if we simply wear a face covering and work on social distancing.”
Speaker Bonnen “infuriated” with those who refuse to wear masks, says the expression of freedom could “kill” thriving economy
“It’s time to stand up to the mask naysayers who speak loudly but act irresponsibly as they destroy the liberty and freedom we ALL deserve” —Speaker Bonnen
Speaker Bonnen Statement Regarding Statewide Uptick in COVID-19 Cases, Importance of Wearing a Mask
“It’s time to stand up to the mask naysayers who speak loudly but act irresponsibly as they destroy the liberty and freedom we ALL deserve.” —Speaker Dennis Bonnen
Gov. Abbott warns COVID-19 is ‘spreading at an unacceptable rate’ in Texas
During his Monday news conference on the state’s response to the pandemic, Gov. Abbott used COVID-19 hospitalizations, positive test rate and new cases to highlight how Texas is trending in t…
Speaker Dennis Bonnen Recording on KOKE FM
Speaker Bonnen gets candid about mask-wearing with Bob on KOKE FM
Speaker Dennis Bonnen: Reopening economy, voluntarily wearing of masks in public are linked
The Republican who leads the Texas House says some of the same people clamoring to reopen the economy are the ones who refuse to wear masks in public.
They wore the uniform. You can certainly wear a mask.
As we honor our nation’s fallen heroes on this Memorial Day I hope that all of us will embrace their willingness to make a similar sacrifice, even if ours is proportionately tiny.
For some, forgoing masks in public during the coronavirus pandemic has become a political statement
Mask arguments among Texans are occurring everywhere from retail stores to the highest levels of government.
Get Texans Back To Work
I had the chance to discuss our state’s ongoing efforts to get Texans back to work while following medically-approved best practices including hand washing, sanitizing, social distancing and mask-wearing.
No, I’m not the Boss of you (and That’s not the Point)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
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The Speaker of the Texas House says some retailers need to set a better example.
