nytimes August 9, 2021 9:00am Abbott Criticized for Ban on Covid Mandates as Cases Soar in Texas #coronavirus2019ncov #vaccinationandimmunization #republicanparty #coronavirusreopenings #abbottgregoryw1957 #adlersteve1956 #news Abbott Criticized for Ban on Covid Mandates as Cases Soar in Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joins other Republican leaders standing by their orders against mandates for masks and vaccines.