HARRIS COUNTY – Judge Lina Hidalgo announced Thursday a health order requiring masks in schools, non-religious private schools and daycares in Harris County. This move is in response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates, which has also led to a lawsuit from Harris County.
“We have no choice,” she wrote on Twitter.
She also noted the rise of pediatric COVID-19 cases as a reason for the immediate action.
“We have a baby on life support because of this virus right here in Harris County. Every day we can prevent that is a big win,” Hidalgo said.
Earlier this week, Hidalgo expressed support for Houston ISD’s Superintendent Millard House II’s desire to have a mask mandate for the district.
“I am supportive of Superintendent House’s decision,” Hidalgo said during a press conference Tuesday. “It breaks my heart to picture these kids in the classrooms (at) 100% capacity, no masks, with the more transmissible variant.”
Meanwhile, HISD and other Houston-area school districts are moving forward with reinstating mask requirements for staff, students and visitors.
RELATED: HISD school board approves superintendent’s mask mandate for upcoming school year
NEW: Our Harris County Local Health Authority has issued a Health Order requiring masks in schools and childcare centers.
— Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) August 12, 2021
Pediatric COVID19 cases are at all- time highs in Texas, and most schools haven’t even started yet.
We have no choice.