Huge news has hit America in the past few days as Texas Governor Greg Abbott says he’s rescinding the statewide mask mandate and capacity limits on business. This news will make Texas the first state to reopen and make wearing masks throughout the state not mandatory anymore. This is the first state to do so since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world last Spring forcing everybody to change their normal everyday life throughout the world.

The change, which comes as the seven-day average of new coronavirus deaths remains above 200, will go into effect March 10. Abbott said he was rescinding “most of the earlier executive orders” he has issued over the past year to stem the spread of the virus. He said starting March 10, “all businesses of any type are allowed to open 100%.” Later it was confirmed that this includes sporting events, concerts and similar events. Masks will not be mandatory even out in public anymore in Texas. Soon after this was announced the Governor of Mississippi, Tate Reeves announced that the state is lifting its county mask mandates and us allowing businesses to operate at full capacity as well without any state-imposed rules. Reeves’ made this decision after announcing that “case numbers have plummeted, and the vaccine is being rapidly distributed. It is time!”

These states would appear to be somewhat the “Guinea pig” states to test and see if lifting restrictions would either not affect the spread of the virus or will ultimately spike cases back up after some time.