‘Neanderthal Thinking’: Biden Takes Aim at Texas, Mississippi for Lifting Mask Mandates
President Joe Biden says every adult in the country will be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of May. But in the meantime, he is warning state leaders against engaging in “neanderthal thinking.” Biden was asked…
President Joe Biden says every adult in the country will be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of May. But in the meantime, he is warning state leaders against engaging in “neanderthal thinking.”
Biden was asked by reporters what message he would send to Texas and Mississippi, two states that just announced plans to lift mask-wearing mandates.
He said, “I think it’s a big mistake. Look, I hope everybody’s realized by now these masks make a difference. We are on the cusp of fundamentally changing the nature of this disease because of the way in which we’re able to get vaccines in peoples’ arms.”
“And the last thing, the last thing, we need is neanderthal thinking that ‘in the meantime everything’s fine, take off your mask, forget it.’ It still matters,” he said.
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The governors of Texas and Mississippi announced on Tuesday that they would lift mask-wearing mandates and let businesses reopen at full capacity.
In a statement, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said, “We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas 100 percent.”
“Make no mistake, COVID-19 has not disappeared, but it is clear from the recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations, and safe practices that Texans are using that state mandates are no longer needed,” he added.
The lifting of the restrictions in Texas will go into effect on March 10.