Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations across the country are surging because of the highly contagious delta variant, leading federal health officials to recommend face masks for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, and state health leaders to push for increased vaccinations. But while health experts say stronger actions are needed again to slow the spread of the virus, Gov. Greg Abbott has doubled down on his insistence that Texas will remain open for business and vaccinations and masks will remain voluntary. In a sweeping order issued Thursday, Abbott reemphasized that state agencies and local officials are prohibited from mandating vaccinations, adding that businesses would lose state contracts or license and operating permits if they require vaccinations. He also continued to ban local governments from requiring face masks, the latest push and pull between Abbott and local officials.