THE Houston Police Officer's Union has released a statement slamming \"draconian measures\" by a Harris County judge ordering the mandatory wearing of face masks.<\/p>\n
Judge Lina Hidalgo said yesterday residents of 10 or older need to be covering their nose and mouth while out in public, with the possibility of a $1,000 fine for anyone not complying.<\/p>\n
But the police union today released a statement slamming the measures.<\/p>\n
HPOU FOP Lodge President Joe Gamaldi wrote: \"[We] believe everyone should be wearing a mask in public...However we draw the line at the draconian measures Hidalgo has decided to engage in.\"<\/p>\n
\"The statement continues: \"Our officers work every day to bridge the gap with our community and earn their trust, we will not stand idly by and allow that bridge to be torn down.\"<\/p>\n
The union also blasted the judge's leadership as \"horrific\" and accused her of making \"echo chamber\" policies, calling the mask order \"idiotic\".<\/p>\n
The HPOU has reached out to the Attorney General's Office to check the legality of the enforcement too, the statement says.<\/p>\n
It adds: \"The last thing any of us need to do is kick our community while they are down.\"<\/p>\n
The union also argues their police force are \"stretched too thin\" as is, and don't have the means to enforce the punishment aspects of the order.<\/p>\n
And Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, warned that Hidalgos order could lead to unjust tyranny,\" the Texas Tribune reports.<\/p>\n
Crenshaw Tweeted: Should guidelines for masks in confined spaces be emphatically promoted? Absolutely.\"<\/p>\n
But we will NEVER support 180 days in jail or $1,000 fine for not wearing a mask.<\/p>\n
In their statement, the HPOU urged officers to use discretion when enforcing the rules, although the Houston Chronicle reports Hidalgo has recommended this too.<\/p>\n
And Galveston County Judge Mark Henry called the requirement unconstitutional. While we encourage that you consider these recommendations for your own safety and the safety of others around you, I will not be mandating it because I believe it is unconstitutional to do so.\"<\/p>\n
Asked about the pushback, Hidalgo said: There's always going to be a minority voice. People are entitled to their opinions.<\/p>\n
The uproar comes amid anti-lockdown protests sweeping the nation.<\/p>\n
Protesters havecalled the lockdowns \"tyrannical\" and have demanded businesses reopen but many governors have stated they will not ease restrictions while the pandemic continues to sicken people.<\/p>\n
Thousands of people have protested the shutdowns in recent weeks, many dismissing the shutdown as an infringement of their constitutional rights.<\/p>\n
Many argue that if healthy people are not able to work then the economy is at risk of collapsing.<\/p>\n
Protesters argue that they should not be forced to stay home and close their businesses, despite orders from state legislatures.<\/p>\n
Healthcare workers across the country havestood in front of protesters, making their own statements to encourage people to stay homeamid thecoronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
The organization ReOpen Virginia said in a news release: \"Government mandating sick people to stay home is called quarantine. However, the government mandating healthy citizens to stay home, forcing businesses and churches to close is called tyranny.<\/p>\n
HOT TUB FLYING MACHINEInside Boeing 727 plane converted into 3-bedroom home with hot tub<\/p>\n
FINAL FLIGHTHusband of 'Tiger King' star Carole Baskin 'was strangled & tossed from plane'<\/p>\n
NO HONOR AMONG THIEVESChina 'trying to steal US research' on coronavirus that it unleashed<\/p>\n
Exclusive<\/p>\n
DEAD ISLAND10,000 unclaimed bodies will be buried this year on New York's 'Isle of Dead'<\/p>\n
GRAND SLAMMERTopless woman trashes Denny's restaurant in California after rampage<\/p>\n
ISLAND HORRORBodies of two transgender women found burned to death in a car in Puerto Rico<\/p>\n
Many protesters have been outspoken about the economic impacts of the shutdown, noting that Americans are losing jobs increasingly as businesses have been forced to close.<\/p>\n
Last week alone, 5.2 million Americans filed for unemployment.<\/p>\n
At the beginning of this month it was recommeneded by the government Americans wear face coverings while out in public - but they discouraged the use of medical or N95 masks, as those are required by healthcare workers.<\/p>\n
Do you have a story for The U.S. Sun team?<\/p>\n
Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com<\/a> or call 212-416-4552.<\/p>\n Like us on Facebook at http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheSunUS<\/a> and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n See the original post here: <\/p>\n Texas cops blast liberal judges draconian mask order and suggest they wont enforce it - The Sun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" THE Houston Police Officer's Union has released a statement slamming \"draconian measures\" by a Harris County judge ordering the mandatory wearing of face masks. Continue reading