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Top El Paso city and county officials sent a letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday, urging him to let local school districts have the option of making face coverings mandatory.
The letter, bearing El Paso s city seal from Mayor Oscar Leeser s office, also was signed by County Judge Ricardo Samaniego.
The letter comes as El Paso s three largest public school districts joined other schools in resuming in-person learning this week and months after Abbott signed an executive order banning local governments, school districts and public health authorities from mandating face coverings.
Those found violating the executive order face a fine of up to $1,000.
E P I S D Informing Parents About the New School Year klaq.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from klaq.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
COVID-19 Ravaged The State’s Border Counties. Now They’re Leading Texas In Vaccinations. Patch 59 mins ago
When Rio Grande Valley retiree Robert Chapa finally got his COVID-19 vaccine in March after months of trying to secure an appointment, it was a nearby school district that came through for him.
After a year of living in a national hot spot for the virus, where death rates at one point were among the highest in the nation, Chapa, 59, was anxious to get the shot.
“I was at high risk, with one kidney,” said Chapa, who lost the organ in a car accident decades ago. “I stood in line for three hours, I think. But if you gotta get it, you gotta get it.”