At a news conference Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced an end to the statewide mask mandate effective Wednesday, March 10. That means businesses will no longer be required to urge Texans to wear masks while inside, but H-E-B is hoping customers will consider the safety of others and mask up in their stores.

The Houston Chronicle reports that the grocery giant will no longer require customers to wear a face covering inside, and KENS-TV reports that H-E-B employees and vendors will still be wearing masks for their safety and yours. However, they are going to encourage customers to consider wearing a mask to protect others as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Personally, I think removing the mandate is happening perhaps 30-60 days too soon, but since Abbott lifted it we have to roll with it, right?

I think there will be more conflicts at businesses because of this, especially if they require shoppers to wear a mask.

Oddly enough, there were and are still a number of people who don't believe COVID-19 is real and are offended by being asked to save their life and others by wearing a mask.

Let's see how this plays out, but kudos to H-E-B for acknowledging that this may be too premature as well.

Remember, Gov. Abbott specifically said Tuesday that he's trusting Texans to do the right thing, and that he's still encouraging people to take the pandemic seriously and follow safety recommendations. His latest executive order will simply lift the state requirement.

If a business keeps its mask mandate in place for the safety of employees and you, the shopper, try to be respectful and understanding.

UPDATE: Target has also announced that they will ask customers to wear masks when shopping inside, and that they will make disposable masks available at store entrances.

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