Sheila Jackson Lee: “Over 500,000 dead; 44,000 or more dead in the State of Texas. The State of Texas, throughout the entire pandemic…”

“Over 500,000 dead; 44,000 or more dead in the State of Texas. The State of Texas, throughout the entire pandemic, remained one of the top hot spots of the Nation. They started testing late. We started vaccines and still have not reached a certain percentage, but yet, tomorrow, on March 10, 2021, our Governor has announced that there will be no mask mandate, and there will be no restrictions on any form of entertainment, restaurants, any large gatherings. Tomorrow, March 10, the people of Texas get a death notice. I am asking my friends in Texas to wear your masks, socially distance, wash your hands. We are vaccinating as fast as we can, but I am letting you know that Texas has all five of the variants of COVID-19. They have long- haulers in Texas, people who have continued to have COVID-19. To save lives, I am asking my fellow Texans--as I know President Bush always used to call us, his ``fellow Texans''--to wear your masks, wash your hands, socially distance to save lives. Let's ignore wrong-headed advice and do what is right to save lives. ____________________”