ToplineGOP Sen. Bill Cassidy (La.) Arkansas Governor. Asa Hutchinson, R) opposed the statewide bans on Sunday local mask mandates including in Hutchinson's own statebreaking with other high level Republicans like Florida Governor. Ron DeSantis, Texas Governor. Greg Abbott, who has blocked mask mandates despite new Covid-19 surges.Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) At a Senate hearing held in Washington, DC on July 20, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) Getty ImagesThe Key FactsCassidy, who is a doctor by training, stated Sunday on CNN that he opposes state orders prohibiting local officials and schools from imposing mask mandates. This was based on his conservative principles. He said, "I think you govern best when your govern closest to the people being managed." Cassidy stated that DeSantis should be in control, and that local officials should control. He also said that he disagrees with Washington, D.C.'s top-down control. Cassidy, who is a doctor by training, said that he opposed state orders that prohibit schools and local officials from imposing their own mask mandates. This was after Cassidy previously said that he regrets signing the ban on mask mandates into law. After local parents sued to stop the Arkansas mask mandate ban, it was temporarily struck down by court. Hutchinson, however, praised Arkansas's ability to impose new mandates.Important QuoteCassidy stated that local conditions can be affected by local conditions. If my hospital is full, my vaccination rate and infection rate are low, then we should let local officials make the best decisions for their communities. Politicians who interfere with public health are often not good for public health and eventually it isn't for the politician.Important BackgroundDue to the rapid spread of Delta variants, state-level mask mandate bans have been more scrutinized, especially since some states that ban mask mandates, such as Florida, Texas, and Arkansas, are now among the states with highest Covid-19 transmission. President Joe Biden called on governors to ban mask mandates. However, some cities and school districts have refused and enacted their own mask mandates. Other governors, such as DeSantis, have continued to defend their policies despite the controversy and Hutchinsons' regret for enacting the mask mandate ban. Christina Pushaw, DeSantis' press secretary, stated that it was not the role any level of government, local, state or federal, to micromanage individual decisions or fine people who decline to wear a facial covering.What to WatchThis court ruling against Arkansas law was likely to be the first in a series on court rulings regarding mask mandate bans. DeSantis order banning school mask mandates has been challenged in multiple legal proceedings. A teacher from Phoenix filed suit against his school district for imposing the mask mandate despite Arizona's ban. More lawsuits could follow.Continue readingA new CDC mask guidance is being issued by the Delta-Fueled Covid Surge. Here are the states where mandatory masks cannot be legally reimposed (Forbes).Arkansas Parents Sue the State for Ban on School Mask Mandates. Could other States Follow? (Forbes)Schools are ignoring state governments and imposing their own mask mandates (Forbes).Florida and Texas Cities Mandate Masks Despite Statewide BansLive updates and coverage of the Coronavirus
