AUSTIN, Texas (PNN) - May 19, 2021 - On Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an order banning local governments and schools from requiring face masks indoors. The ruling comes just days after Texas announced that its health system detected zero deaths from COVID-19.

According to State health data, it is the first time no COVID-19 deaths have been recorded in approximately 14 months. The news came just two months after pretender Joe Biden joined a group of Democrats that criticized the governors of Mississippi and Texas for lifting their statewide mask mandates.

“I think it’s a big mistake. The last thing, the last thing we need is for a Neanderthal to think that in the meantime, everything’s fine, take off the mask, forget it,” Biden said at the time.

Given the success of his policies, despite the criticism received by those who seek to impose panic and perpetuate lockdowns and distancing practices, Governor Abbott announced by executive order on Tuesday that he prohibits government entities from mandating the wearing of masks.

The governor’s order affects counties, cities, school districts, public health authorities, and other government officials and agencies.

In addition, officials who attempt to impose a mask mandate or impose an inconsistent limitation or otherwise conflict with the executive order after May 21 may be subject to a fine of up to $1,000.

“After June 4, no student, teacher, parent or other staff member or visitor can be required to wear a mask while on campus,” the governor’s office said in a statement.

Abbott is betting on the freedom of each individual and individual responsibility against any imposition by the government.

“Texans, not government, should decide their best health practices, which is why masks will not be mandated by public school districts or government entities. We can continue to mitigate COVID-19 while defending Texans’ liberty to choose whether or not they mask up,” said Abbott.