Leman Opposes Mask Order, But Says Wearing a Mask is ‘Common Sense’

State Rep. Ben Leman, Fayette County’s representative in the Texas House, said he does not support a mandate requiring Texans to wear a face mask during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I do not support a mandate that criminalizes citizens for not wearing a mask,” Leman said in a Facebook post last Thursday, July 9. “I do, however, support asking Texans to voluntarily wear a mask where appropriate.”

Leman said he feels “heartbroken” to see businesses failing due to the COVID response.

“Pushing these mask mandates onto businesses feels like adding insult to injury,” Leman said. “These are largely familyowned businesses, some of which have been around longer than I have been alive. Our change in habits has already forced many more businesses to make the toughest calls an employer can make. As these businesses claw their way back – eroding the unemployment rate – the government should be working harder to educate the public.”

Leman said he “appreciates” local officials pushing back against statewide mandates issued by Governor Greg Abbott, such as Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough, who gave a blanket order allowing citizens of that county to circumvent the limit on public gatherings

“It’s pretty clear that people are tired of the government telling them what to do,” Leman said. “And since we are also known as the Friendship State, I’d like to take a different approach.”

He asked his constituents to wear a mask in order to limit the spread of the virus. He called wearing a mask “common sense,” but he said citizens should not need a doctor’s note if they chose not to wear a mask.

“Stay home if possible, and be smart if you have to go out,” Leman said.