Some still mask up despite end of Texas rules

Texas' coronavirus restrictions are officially over. Restaurants in Texas were allowed to fully open starting Wednesday and a statewide mask mandate was shelved after eight months. In Houston, the county executive who oversees public health response and policy, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, decried the change in policy.

"I'd love to be able to give the good news and to say everything should go a hundred percent back to normal that nobody needs to hear these uncomfortable masks anymore," Hidalgo said.  "But we can't throw away all our sacrifices."

Hidalgo added less than ten percent of the people in Harris County have been vaccinated and urged businesses to continue capacity limits and mask rules. The county had imposed stricter conditions at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Governor Greg Abbott, under pressure from conservatives quickly overruled local controls.

At Pico's Restaurant, owner Arnaldo Richards said he's continuing to ask customers abide by distancing and mask rules. He added since he had done several interviews on the topic, his business has some faced social media harassment and racist comments, but said he's also been overwhelmed with positive comments by his customers.

"You know what does it take you to go to a table from the door here? 40 seconds," Richards said.  "I mean can't you wear a mask for 40 seconds just out of courtesy? Even if you don't agree with it, just out of courtesy to the community and to the restaurant."

Russell Hicks and Brandon Blanton enjoyed a sizzling platter of shrimp and margaritas. Both came in wearing masks and said they appreciate the restaurant asking people to do the same.

"You know, a lot of people aren't vaccinated," Hicks said." I think it's a little more time before we can do that for the whole city."