Gregg Popovich Rips Texas Governor Greg Abbott

"If COVID hospitalizations in any of the 22 hospital regions in Texas rise above 15% of the hospital bed capacity in that region for seven straight days, then a county judge in that region may use COVID mitigation strategies in their county", said Abbott.

Abbott's new executive order GA-34 effectively rescinds most of the governor's earlier COVID-19-related orders, including an earlier rule in which Texas bars were allowed to reopen at 50% beginning in October, but only if cleared by county officials first.

"Within a few months", Abbott said, it is expected that anyone who wants to receive a shot will be able to do so. "This must end. It is now time to open Texas 100 percent". "Every business that wants to be open should be open". But the president appeared to be referring to Abbott's executive order when he urged Americans to continue wearing face protection.

50 Cent might be joking, but he could be serious too, since the cost of living in NY is 94% higher than residing in a city like Houston, Texas, in addition to a much more favorable tax rate on wealthy folk like the rap star.

What about other USA states?

"Also, I am ending the statewide mask mandate", said the governor, fresh off a statewide crisis that threw millions into the freezing cold without power or water, nearly as an afterthought. The United States has recorded 28,681,793 infections and 513,721 coronavirus-related deaths since the pandemic began.

The governor's Texas Independence Day announcement comes less than two weeks after winter storms knocked out power and water for millions of Texans statewide during sub-freezing temperatures, and many have still not had services restored.

Businesses are able to limit capacity or implement additional safety protocols if they choose to do so. They also can not impose penalties on people for not wearing masks or on businesses for not requiring masks for customers or employees.

"Covid has not suddenly disappeared", he added, "but state mandates are no longer needed".

Now, local residents fear the thousands of tourists who will probably descend on the state, just in time for Spring Break.