Mask News

Masks are back in Dallas after emergency order to fight rising COVID cases

Hope you didn't throw your masks away, turns out you're going to need them again.

Photo by archigram/Getty

Concerned about the rising number of COVID-19 cases, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins has reinstated the mask mandate for Dallas County, effective 11:59 pm on Wednesday, August 11.

The order is for all schools, businesses, and government buildings, and applies to anyone, vaccinated or not.

Jenkins issued an emergency order noting that transmission of COVID-19 has not dissipated but remains a significant threat to the health and safety of the Dallas County community, with rates of infection increasing "at an alarming exponential rate" with hospital patients also dramatically rising.

Jenkins has determined that extraordinary emergency measures must be taken to try and mitigate the effects of this public health emergency and to facilitate a response to the public health threat.

Masks will be required for all teachers, staff, students, and visits at Pre-K through 12th grade public schools and child care centers. The order may also include the implementation of other mitigating measures recommended by the CDC to control and reduce the transmission of COVID-19, such as maintaining at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms.

Masks are also required at commercial businesses, with failure to do so prompting a fine of $1,000.

Face coverings are also required for Dallas County buildings, including employees, contractors, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.

Face coverings are "strongly urged" in any public indoor space.

His order also reiterates other safe practices including:

washing hands before you leave home and when you return
staying at least six feet away from others
avoiding touching nose or face
not using disposable masks more than three times
washing reusable cloth masks regularly to prevent the spread of the virus.

health

Weed News

Texas Rep. Jessica González of Dallas files bill to legalize marijuana

Redheaded Blackbelt

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Texas Rep. Jessica González of Dallas has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana