Ellis County COVID replay – not again

ELLIS COUNTY – Rumor has been swirling that there will be new COVID cases coming to a city near you beginning this fall.

Cases have been reported as of this month in countries around the world.

There have even been a few people who have apparently been diagnosed with COVID locally.

Mainstream media has been reporting the new variant is called BA.2.86 and it is a highly mutated variant of the original illness.

Texas is one of the states that has set laws banning COVID mask, vaccine and shutdown mandates. However, it still remains to be seen what private companies might decide to do if the COVID scare returns.

Bill SB29, effective Sept. 1 does not restrict private companies from making their own COVID mandate regulations, but it does say no to local governments requiring vaccines, masks and business shutdowns.

State Rep. Brian Harrison (R-10) voted for SB29, but said he had wanted to see a stronger vaccine mandate ban overall. 

Locally, Ellis County Judge Todd Little said when he was asked about the onslaught of new pandemic scare, “In Ellis County, we value our individual liberty and freedom to manage our own decisions. 

“As it relates to masks and vaccines, it is not my job as County Judge or our job in government to make medical decisions. 

“I believe that’s best left to the patient and their doctor or medical professional.”