Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order on Thursday night preventing mask and COVID-19 vaccination mandates
Abbott, 63, announced the executive order in a press release just hours after President Joe Biden called on states to do more to incentivize vaccination
The CDC has stepped up mask and vaccination recommendations this week amid the worrying surge of the Delta variant
The Republican governor said that Texans have mastered the safe practices that prevent the spread of COVID-19
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was pictured in the Philippines wearing a COVID-19 face mask and visor
US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) mocked Austin for the use of the PPE, calling it embarrassing COVID theatre
His comments came despite Philippines making it a legal requirement to wear both a mask and visor in public
Austin s mission to the Philippines appeared successful when it was announced the two countries had agreed the US would be allowed to continue to hold hold large-scale combat exercises in the tense region
Meanwhile, CDC has faced a backlash from GOP leaders after it stepped up mask and vaccination guidelines