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Coronavirus in Texas

“I expect the worst”: A Texas parent worries about sending her children back to school in person

Gov. Greg Abbott is standing firm on his ban against mask mandates in schools. Some parents are concerned for their children’s safety as in-person classes resume.

by Justin Dehn

Edinburg Mayor Richard Molina surrendered to authorities on illegal voting charges on April 25, 2019.
School supplies and disposable masks sit on a desk at Judson High School in Converse. Credit: Via the City of Edinburg

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The first day of school in most Texas school districts is fast approaching. Parents who are concerned by the lack of mask mandates to combat the spread of the coronavirus are left with few options this year.

Texas provided funds for remote learning during the start of the pandemic. But efforts to fund it for this school year have so far failed in the Texas Legislature.

While public health experts and medical professionals are sounding the alarm over the highly transmissible delta variant of the coronavirus, Gov. Greg Abbott has stood firm on his ban against mask mandates in schools.

That has parents like Markesha Powell of Brenham worried about sending their kids back to school.

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Justin Dehn’s staff photo

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