Controversy over Texas mask mandate ban heats up
CBSN
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a series of steps Monday to battle the alarming surge in COVID-19 cases in the state, reports CBS Houston station KHOU-TV. But the controversy over his ban on localities issuing mask mandates got even hotter.
Abbott asked hospitals to postpone elective procedures to make room for COVID patients, said Texas would bring in out-of-state medical personnel to boost staffing at hospitals, and directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to open five more COVID-19 antibody infusion centers around the state. They treat patients who don't need hospitalization with therapeutic drugs. Abbott also urged people to get vaccinated. "The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective, and it is our best defense against this virus," he said.Washington — The Supreme Court on Friday said it will consider the constitutionality of the Federal Communications Commission's Universal Service Fund, agreeing to review a lower court decision that upended the mechanism for funding programs that provide communications services to rural areas, low-income communities and schools, libraries and hospitals.
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin launched six space tourists on a high-speed dash to the edge of space and back Friday, giving the passengers — including a husband and wife making their second flight — about three minutes of weightlessness and an out-of-this world view before the capsule made a parachute descent to touchdown at the company's west Texas flight facility.