CDC warns Texas to expect increase in COVID cases, deaths after mask order lifts FacebookTwitterEmail CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott are pictured together in this composite image.COMPOSITE PHOTO WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control is increasing pressure on Republican leaders in states like Texas that have eased COVID restrictions, publishing a study on Friday showing evidence that the measures — such as the mask requirement that Gov. Greg Abbott rescinded this week — clearly decrease COVID cases and deaths, while opening up restaurants causes them to spike. “We have seen this movie before: When prevention measures like mask mandates are rolled back, cases go up,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said. “I know the idea of relaxing mask wearing and getting back to everyday activities is appealing, but we’re not there yet.”