Loosening of covid-19 restrictions prompts concerns about potential surge

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Wed, 2021-03-03 09:48 — mike kraft

Experts are warning of a potential Covid-19 surge while several governors are loosening restrictions For weeks, public health leaders across the US have stressed that now is not the time to ease Covid-19 restrictions and let up on safety measures, warning that another potentially dangerous surge, fueled by variants, could come soon. Christina Maxouris, CNN CNN

(CNN) As more US Covid-19 vaccine sites prepare to offer one-dose Johnson & Johnson shots for the first time Wednesday, an increasing number of states are easing coronavirus restrictions despite health officials' warnings not to do just that.

Among the states making moves Tuesday were Texas and Mississippi, both of which are lifting mask mandates and allowing businesses to open at full capacity by now or within days.

Many public health leaders across the US have urged states to at least wait for far more inoculations and much lower cases levels before easing safety measures, pointing to an increasing spread of more-transmissible coronavirus variants that could spark another surge in cases.

"This is a gigantic mistake," Dr. Jonathan Reiner, professor of medicine at George Washington University, said Tuesday of the Texas and Mississippi announcements. "We've seen this movie, and it doesn't turn out well."

With less than 7% of residents in his state fully vaccinated, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order lifting a statewide mask mandate and allowing businesses to operate at 100% capacity, effective March 10.

The governor said county leaders may opt to use mitigation strategies if regional Covid-19 hospitalizations rise above 15% of bed capacity for seven days straight. But they cannot impose jail time for people who don't follow Covid-19 orders, nor can residents be penalized for not wearing masks, he said.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the move "makes no sense," while Austin Mayor Steve Adler said he was "dumbfounded" by the announcement and pleaded with residents to "act like we do have a mask mandate, for people to continue to wear it, for businesses to continue to require it."

In Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves said starting Wednesday the state would lift its county mask mandates and allow businesses to operate at full capacity.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine also announced revisions to public health orders Tuesday, including dropping a 300-person limit for events at banquet centers. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled a series of eased restrictions taking effect Friday, including expanded capacity for restaurants, retail, gyms, stadiums and other facilities....

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