Former Texas Representative Beto O’Rourke criticized Gov. Greg Abbott (R) for his inability to control the growing numbers of Texas cases in an interview Monday with Andrea Mitchell of MSNBC.
“This is a leadership role, or lack thereof,” said the former Democratic presidential candidate, before citing the high case, hospitalization and positivity rates Texas is experiencing. “This virus is out of control, without leadership from our governor, without leadership from the president.”
Abbott’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Texas has seen a rapid increase in the virus, breaking the 10,000-hospitalization threshold last week.
The state health department has estimated that there are 124,659 active cases in the state and 3,235 deaths.
Abbot has been criticized by Democrats for not issuing an order for people to wear masks or face covers until July 2.
They have also said that the state should have reopened more slowly as cases increased.
With the increase in the number of cases, Abbott has backed down some of the state reopens, closing bars, reducing restaurant occupancy levels, and including more counties on executive orders banning elective surgeries.
However, Abbot has also come under fire from other Republicans, who say the steps he has taken to control the virus go too far.
Republican committees in eight Texas counties voted to censure the governor for his executive orders ordering to cover his face, limit meetings, and close bars.
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