Governor Greg Abbott of Texas -- Republican, of course -- just issued an executive order yesterday BANNING public schools from requiring students or staff or anybody under the sun to wear face masks.

The order applies to local governments as well ... and it goes a little something like this:

1. No government entity, including a county, city, school district, and public health authority, and no governmental official may require any person to wear a face covering or to mandate that another person wear a face covering; provided, however, that:

a.state supported living centers, government-owned hospitals, and government-operated hospitals may continue to use appropriate policies regarding the wearing of face coverings; and

b.the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, and any county and municipal jails acting consistent with guidance by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards may continue to use appropriate policies regarding the wearing of face coverings.

2. Notwithstanding the above, public schools may continue to follow policies regarding the wearing of face coverings to the extent reflected in current guidance by the Texas Education Agency, until June 4, 2021. The Texas Education Agency shall revise its guidance such that, effective 11:59 p.m. on June 4, 2021, no student, teacher, parent, or other staff member or visitor may be required to wear a face covering.

Do you smell that? ...

Do you guys smell something? ...

What is that? ...

Oh, it's FREEDOM.