The state of Texas is inundated with cases of the virus that's killed over 600 thousand Americans, but its Republican governor—Greg Abbott—has proved determined to push back against even the most basic safety measures.
Abbott banned mask mandates in the state—including in schools where children under 12 are ineligible to get the vaccine—despite the proven effectiveness of masks at slowing the spread of the virus. He's also fought against private businesses requiring vaccines for their employees and customers, even threatening to revoke the liquor licenses of restaurants and bars that do so.
On Tuesday, Abbott's office issued a statement announcing that Abbott, who is fully vaccinated, tested positive for the virus.
The governor has COVID. https://t.co/Yi1FnscIGB— Keri Blakinger (@Keri Blakinger) 1629233721.0
According to the statement, the governor is experiencing no symptoms but is still undergoing monoclonal antibody treatment as he isolates in the Governor's Mansion.
The statement also claims that everyone who's come into close contact with the governor has been notified, but a video posted just a day before Abbott's positive diagnosis was revealed is sparking concerns.
Watch below.
.@GregAbbott_TX is at the Republican Club at Heritage Ranch meeting tonight! https://t.co/oIuabG72lU— Texans for Abbott (@Texans for Abbott) 1629159049.0
According to Abbott's campaign, the governor was president at the Republican Club at Heritage Ranch, where video shows him gathered with hundreds of unmasked and elderly supporters.
Further video of the event shows him singing with the crowd, upping his chances of spreading the virus to others.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has tested positive for COVID-19. Yesterday, Abbott was singing maskless with a maskles… https://t.co/l2CYErRHZT— Resist Programming 🛰 (@Resist Programming 🛰) 1629242388.0
Abbott's recklessness has heightened concerns that the event at Heritage Ranch could end up a super spreader.
!URGENT! Every one at this event last night @GovAbbott has tested positive for #COVID19. 1. Did you talk to him?… https://t.co/Bsg4ce0wVv— Don Winslow (@Don Winslow) 1629234781.0
If you're in this video, you need to get tested for #COVID19 because @GregAbbott_TX has tested positive.… https://t.co/gX8bPVCutU— Dawn Ennis (She/Her/Hers) (@Dawn Ennis (She/Her/Hers)) 1629234878.0
@AbbottCampaign @GregAbbott_TX imagine having this much disrespect for all the healthcare workers that havent had a day off in a year— lauralouisiana (@lauralouisiana) 1629166810.0
@AbbottCampaign @GregAbbott_TX superspreader event!— Anita (@Anita) 1629235621.0
As ICU beds vanish across the state, people are pointing out that Abbott is receiving care that other infected Texans can only dream of.
All Texans deserve the health care Gov. Abbott is receiving— Jessica Cisneros (@Jessica Cisneros) 1629237429.0
The saddest part of Gov. Abbott getting COVID is that he'll get the very best care, with treatments that are not av… https://t.co/RF1s3xCmyg— Walter Shaub (@Walter Shaub) 1629290628.0
So Greg Abbott is going to get the best care for a virus he didn’t care about?— Avenger Resister (@Avenger Resister) 1629238690.0
Abbott decrying cheap preventive measures but getting an expensive Regeneron treatment after getting COVID is reall… https://t.co/IyA0sU8ECh— A Jay Holmgren (@A Jay Holmgren) 1629246417.0
Though Abbott still experienced a rare breakthrough infection, his chances of survival and complete recovery are greatly heightened due to his vaccination status.