DALLAS — After nearly a year, Texans were officially allowed to gather unmasked Wednesday as a statewide mask mandate ended on the anniversary of Dallas County’s first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott announced last week that statewide orders that required masks and put limits on businesses and public spaces would be lifted, a move that some of his medical advisers disagreed with, saying it could put more Texans at risk.
The measures had been credited by public health experts as critical to slowing the spread of the pandemic.
At WhatchamaCallit designer boutique in Addison, about 15 customers browsed through vibrant floor-length evening dresses of all colors. Only about half wore masks. Others had them strapped around their chins or held them in their hands as they tried on dresses or milled about the large store.
The boutique stopped requiring masks for customers since Abbott lifted the mandate, said Gary Graham, manager of the boutique. Instead, employees “strongly recommend” them.
”Not going to have a confrontation with a customer,” he said.
The state’s reopening has had a significant impact on the boutique, Graham said, adding that COVID-19 had “destroyed” business before Abbott’s announcement.
”It’s just been dismal for the last year,” Graham said. “Especially as a niche marketer.”
But now, Graham said, people are encouraged by the rise in vaccinations and reopening of Texas. Business has increased in the days since Abbott’s announcement, and people seem to be happier than usual and “more comfortable getting out,” Graham said.
”I personally wish they didn’t have to wear their masks so I could see their smiles,” he said.
At the Texas Department of Public Safety mega center in Garland, a line of about 25 people stretched down the outside of the building consistently throughout the morning.
Nearly every person in line Wednesday had masks on or around their faces as they waited their turn to go inside the building. But for the first time since mask mandates went into effect last year, it was up to customers to choose whether they wanted to wear them.
Reneé Gonzalez, 52, got in line for her appointment about 9:45 a.m. She said that she didn’t know that masks were optional at the DPS office before she showed up but that it wouldn’t have changed her decision to wear one.
”I will wear a mask everywhere; I think everyone should,” she said from behind a beige cloth mask, adding that she thought Abbott’s decision to lift the mandate was “ridiculous.” “I think it’s easy, it’s common sense [to wear one]. ... It’s a minor inconvenience to help someone else.”
At the front of the line, an employee wearing a white medical-grade mask let customers inside in small groups. DPS employees, too, now have a choice whether to wear masks, but other precautions, such as social distancing and temperature checks before people entered the building, were still in place.
Katy Trail in Dallas was filled with runners, bikers and walkers this morning, but only a few wore masks as they exercised — though that’s not unusual for the trail during the pandemic.
Several people had masks in hand in case they came into close proximity with anyone. However, the walkers said this is nothing new as a result of the mask mandate being lifted.
”I haven’t noticed a difference on the trail since the mandate,” Anna McSwiggen said. “I feel safe outside, and I don’t really feel like I’m next to people too close.”
Stephanie Garner also walked the Katy Trail Wednesday morning with her husband. She said they did wear their masks at the beginning of the pandemic on the trail. However, as more information about the virus was released, they feel safe not doing so while exercising outside. But for Garner, wearing masks inside is a different story and she doesn’t agree with lifting the mandate.
”I think it was a little early, and I wish that they had left it in place until a higher percentage of people are vaccinated,” she said. “I think it is going to put the burden on the shopper, the diner to find out if it is going to be a place you’re comfortable entering and if their employees are wearing masks.”
Most of the shops along Lovers Lane had signs posted requiring masks for customers upon entering Wednesday morning. Employees and customers continued to wear their masks.
Leslie Vassallo, the owner of fashion boutique L.A. Connection, said there is irony in everyone keeping their mask on now that the mandate is lifted. She said it was difficult to get some customers to wear their mask when the mandate was first put into place last year.
”Before when you had to, no one wanted to,” Vassallo said. “Now that you don’t have to, people want to wear their mask.”
Her store is still requiring the masks, and she said her customers have been respectful of that. Vassallo said customers will occasionally ask to remove it while trying on clothes and she allows it, however, they are always sure to put it back on when re-entering the common area of the store.
”I think it’ll be awhile before people decide to ditch their mask,” Vassallo said.
