Gov. Greg Abbott | File photo
Gov. Greg Abbott | File photo
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has joined eight other Texas mayors who are asking Gov. Greg Abbott to give them the authority to make mask wearing mandatory.
Turner’s office published a news release stating that the request came as the Houston Health Department reported 233 new people believed to have COVID-19 and two additional deaths that were connected with coronavirus infection. As of July 17, Texas reported 307,572 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Harris County has 53,555 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
“A one-size-fits-all approach is not the best option," Turner said. "We should trust local officials to make informed choices about health policy. And if mayors are given the opportunity to require face coverings, we believe our cities will be ready to help reduce the spread of this disease."
Harris County also has recorded 526 of the state's 3,735 COVID-19 deaths.
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