El Paso Has A Mask Mandate But What’s Next?

This is the second day of the mask mandate put into place by the El Paso Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza and here are a few things you need to know.

1. How long can the mask mandate stay in place - El Paso City Attorney Karla Nieman will be in court on August 31st with Texas Governor's Greg Abbott’s office in front of the local judge who issued the restraining order that allows Ocaranza’s indoor mask mandate to continue. Both sides will present their cases for and against the mask mandate and for and against the types of powers that Abbott has to issue a mask mandate ban. Nieman will also be arguing against Abbott's authority to issue a mask mandate ban at the local level.

2. How will it be enforced - Neiman said police will have to prioritize if they feel a call about a mask is important enough to respond to due to their limited resources.

At least one city representative is unhappy about the way the Ysleta Independent School district is handling the mask mandate. Cassandra Hernandez took to social media saying posted on Facebook about her frustration with YISD. She said that she had spoken with YISD Superintendent Dr. De La Torre and called it quote “a disrespectful conversation." It's a shame that YISD has not decided to enforce mask wearing especially with numbers among children under 12 going up.

Clearly there is never going to be an end to the controversy over masks and mask mandates. It would be nice if we could all just wear them and smother this stupid virus so we can all get back to normal. I hate wearing a mask, but I don't want to die and I don't want to live with lifelong complications from COVID. Sheesh. This is the neverending story.