Despite COVID variants spreading all over the country, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has decided to open the state and end the mandate that requires residents to wear masks in public settings.

At a March 2 press conference, Governor Abbott said, “Too many Texans have been sidelined from employment opportunities. Too many small business owners have struggled to pay their bills. This must end. It is now time to open Texas 100%.”

According to Johns Hopkins University, as of March 1 only 6.57% of Texans have been fully vaccinated.

Additionally, Mississippi is also opening at 100 percent with no mask mandate starting today (March 3). Only 7.6%of Mississippians are fully vaccinated, according to NPR.