Biden Criticizes Mississippi’s Lifting of Restrictions as “Neanderthal Thinking”

After the lifting of mask mandates and business restrictions by Mississippi and Texas, the president has given his thoughts on the decisions.

President Joe Biden voiced his displeasure about the choice made by Greg Abbott and Tate Reeves against the current recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control.

“I think it’s a big mistake. Look, I hope everybody’s realized by now, these masks make a difference. We are on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way in which we’re able to get vaccines in people’s arms,” said Biden.

“The last thing — the last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime, everything’s fine, take off your mask, forget it. It still matters,” Biden said, referencing a card he keeps in his pocket with the daily death toll of the virus amid his administration’s push to get vaccines into arms.”

Reeves cited the plummeting number of cases and hospitalizations as one of the driving forces behind the decision being made.

As of 5 p.m., all county mask mandates have been lifted, along with restrictions against businesses.

Outdoor events can occur at full capacity at the discretion of the organizer while indoor event capacity increases to 50 percent.