1. a) Define mandate.
b) In what government entities does Gov. Abbott’s executive order prohibit mask mandates?

2. What date will the order take effect?

3. a) Define exempt.
b) What government entities are exempt from the governor’s order?

4. What is the penalty for ignoring the governor’s executive order?

5. a) How long ago did Governor Abbott reopen Texas? What happened to the number of covid cases since then?
b) Read the “Background” below. What is your reaction to these comments?

6. a) Do you agree with Gov. Abbott’s decision to prohibit school districts from mandating masks? Explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent the same question. Discuss your answers.

7. The CDC announced last week that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks, [but continued to recommend masks for people who have not been vaccinated].  New Jersey’s governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said he will not drop the mask mandate for vaccinated individuals, despite the CDC’s guidelines. Do you agree with this governor? Explain your answer.

CHALLENGE:  Follow the science. Senator Rand Paul, who is a medical doctor, discusses the government forcing people to wear masks without giving the evidence. He speaks of “Non-science,” See an interview on Sen. Paul’s youtube page.
(or do a search for “Dr. Rand Paul joins Cavuto to discuss Dr. Fauci and the future of the GOP - March 23, 2021”)