While Gov. Abbott has already made it clear that everyone should wear masks, they are not mandated by the state.
analogicus on Pixabay

As Texas reopens the economy, the argument about wearing a face mask in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis seems to heat up and has the probability of becoming violent.

Specifically, on Wednesday, at '99 Cents Only Store in San Antonio, a spectator caught a man not wearing a face mask on camera, turning "loud and confrontational" after another man at the store asked him to wear a mask or leave the store.

The so-called "maskless man" shouted saying, "Just because everyone is doing it," it is not making it legal while spectators were filming his outburst.

As the man ranted, he continued and referenced the order of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott that people cannot be charged for not wearing a face mask.

Gov. Abbot's Directive

In relation to the said order, Abbott, late last month said, they strongly recommend wearing a face mask and this recommendation was for everyone. Gov. Abbot gave the recommendation, "in reference to a Harris County Judge" that imposed a fine "over a face mask directive."

It is not a mandate, though, Gov. Abbot said, and added, they would make it clear that no authority could enforce any type of fine or penalty for any individual for not wearing a face mask.

The governor elaborated, "Everyone should be encouraged," although by his executive order, Abbot said, it supersedes local directives pertaining to any type of penalty or fine for any person who does not wear a mask.

The Customer Turning More Violent

Incidentally, the man at the said San Antonio store started to go up to the spectators who were filming him and shoved one of them and provoked an altercation. "Don't record me," he told the man adding, it was an invasion of his privacy.

Meanwhile, police affirmed the occurrence to KSAT.com that officers in San Antonio were deployed to the store after receiving "report of assault" which was then still in progress. The authorities added that there were no arrests made.

KENS 5 reported, a woman saying she was with the "maskless man," posted on her Facebook account specifically saying, they got denied entry to the store after they stated, "they had medical exemption" that was why they were not wearing a mask. More so, the woman added, no one was ever hit.

While Gov. Abbott has already made it clear that everyone should wear masks, but they are not mandated by the state. Ron Nirenberg, Mayor of San Antonio said through KENS 5, that eventually, the store would have the final say.

The mayor also said, "Let's be clear," the store, he pointed out, "has the authority to require" a customer to wear a face mask.

In addition, Nirenberg added, that is constant with the orders of the governor and the orders in San Antonio. Opposing the requirement, according to him, does not confer the right for anyone to invade or trespass. It does not confer the right either, he continued, to interrupt business, neither assault someone.

Check these out!