The Masque of the Red Death: Redux

Breaking News: Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has tested positive for the coronavirus and is isolating while receiving treatment. Abbott, who has banned mask and vaccine mandates in the state, has faced criticism as virus cases increased sharply. https://t.co/7wqTaKPNPp

— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 17, 2021

The time of mask mandates is over. Now is the time of "breakthrough" infections and parties likes its 1999!

Photos show maskless Greg Abbott at crowded Texas event just one day before positive COVID testhttps://t.co/rGkhhlnHOs

— Raw Story (@RawStory) August 17, 2021

"How all y'all elderly white people feelin' this evening?" https://t.co/b6NN0adIx6

— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) August 17, 2021

Personally, I don't go to restaurants that are this crowded.

[Spokesperson Mark] Miner added that "everyone that the Governor has been in close contact with today" has been informed of his positive test. The first lady, Cecilia Abbott, tested negative.

Abbott's positive test comes as the coronavirus pandemic is ripping through Texas again, with key metrics like daily new cases and hospitalizations reaching levels not seen since the last wave in the winter. The governor has received national attention for his refusal to fight the latest surge by allowing local governments and school districts to mandate masks or vaccines.

Abbott has kept up public appearances in recent days. He spoke Monday night at a GOP event in Collin County, later tweeting photos of him addressing a maskless crowd. Less than three hours before his diagnosis was announced Tuesday afternoon, he tweeted pictures of a meeting with guitarist Jimmie Vaughan.

Honor to meet with @JimmieVaughan—brother of Stevie Ray Vaughan and a legendary Texas musician in his own right.

Hope to catch your show in September at the @ErwinCenter. pic.twitter.com/QNv4K8JmhT

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 17, 2021

Gov. Superspreader.

Abbott received the vaccine on camera late last year in Austin, hoping to set an example. 

But wearing a mask on camera?  Aw, hell no!  Mini-Trumps can't do that!!

"Governor Abbott has put his own Republican primary politics before the public health since day one," Castro tweeted, sharing a video of Abbott at the Collin County gathering. "I hope he recovers quickly. I also hope he will act more responsibly on behalf of Texas children and families."

Yeah, they don't do that, either.