No Mask Texas: Biden Blasts Abbott for 'Neanderthal Thinking’ in Ending Mask Mandate

No mask in Texas okayed by Governor Greg Abbott, followed by the state of Mississippi, was described by President Joe Biden as "Neanderthal thinking" as he expressed his frustrations on the states' decisions.

On Tuesday, Greg Abbott issued an order ending requirements for masks and allowing businesses to operate at full capacity. Figures of daily COVID-19 cases in Texas, along with the coronavirus-related hospitalization and death tolls, had significantly reduced amid efforts of the state in the vaccination.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves issued a similar order as COVID-19 cases also significantly decreased in the state. Both governors argued that since COVID-19 cases have fallen, the public should be able to make their own decisions about safety.

Biden's statement comes only a few days after he visited Texas and met Greg Abbott in Houston to talk about federal aid to help the state recover from the winter storm and increase vaccinations in the state.

Pres. Biden on No Mask in Texas and Mississippi

Pres. Biden said the states of Texas and Mississippi are committing a grave mistake in allowing their people not to wear masks amidst the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, OPB reported.

Medical experts have already proven the difference and security of wearing a face mask during this time of the pandemic.

"I think it's a big mistake... The last thing - the last thing - we need is the Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime, everything's fine, take off your mask. Forget it. It still matters," Biden told reporters on Wednesday.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, wearing masks is important since it acts as a barrier to protect oneself and others against contracting the virus. But wearing masks does not equate to physical distancing. That is why the agency reiterated to stay six-feet apart even if you are wearing a mask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Since taking office in January, Voice of America noted that Pres. Biden had highlighted the importance of wearing masks and physical distancing. Even with the COVID-19 vaccines rolling across the states, medical experts still emphasized the importance of wearing masks and social distancing as reinfection might occur.

Sympathies on No Mask in Texas

Currently, the United States is keeping an eye on several coronavirus variants. CDC noted that surveillance on the mutation of the virus could help discover how variants may affect the transmission of the notorious virus and respond to COVID-19 by developing the vaccine, which is designed to eliminate the original strand of the virus.

The Texas mandate to continue the public's daily activity without masks has garnered different reactions from netizens. Twitter user @trashlynmarie said, "If y'all are mad about the 'no mask mandate' in Texas go get a COVID vaccine. Believe it or not there was once life without masks." Another user has rebutted, saying that the vaccine is not available for everyone yet.

Kathy Hochul, the Lieutenant Governor of New York State, echoed Pres. Biden's stand, saying that "It's a no for me." Meanwhile, @humanspecc tweeted that she "really have no words for Abbott... he lifts the mask mandate and opens Texas 100% but draws the line at Biden releasing immigrants because they are going to 'expose' Texans with COVID."

For her part, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the head of the CDC, said on Wednesday that this is not the right time to end all COVID-19 restrictions.

WATCH: Pres. Biden says lifting mask mandate was 'big mistake' - From ABC13 Houston