In response to recent decisions made by Texas and Mississippi to end mask mandates, President Biden criticized their actions and labeled it as “Neanderthal thinking,” as per NBC News. He emphasized the importance of following scientific guidelines such as wearing masks, frequent hand washing, and maintaining social distance. Governor Reeves of Mississippi disagreed with President Biden’s comment, stating that Mississippians can assess their choices and listen to experts without needing “handlers.”

Twitter users showed support for Biden’s stance. Meanwhile, Texas Governor Abbott’s decision to lift the statewide mask mandate was met with criticism. The decision was made without consulting three out of four state health experts on Abbott’s Strike Force to Open Texas.

The move also raised concerns as it comes at a time when Houston became the center of public health discussions in the state. Biden’s stand against the decision to lift mask mandates was reinforced by citing the importance of vaccinations and adherence to safe practices. He reiterated the need to avoid complacency and continue following public health guidelines.