Texas Governor Greg Abbott tested positive for COVID-19 but is in “good health” and “experiencing no symptoms,” communications director Mark Miner said on the governor’s official website on August 17. According to a statement, he will “isolate in the Governor’s Mansion and continue to test daily.” While there, Abbott has been “receiving Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment.
Hours after the news made headlines, Abbott took to Twitter to give an update on his prognosis. “As you may have heard, I have Covid. Right now I have no symptoms such as fever or aches and pains,” he wrote, attaching a video. Though Abbott credited the vaccine for being “one reason” he’s holding up, social media users were quick to call out his hypocrisy. “You take Regeneron ‘just in case,’ but you forbid mask mandates?” one replied. Pointing out Abbott’s controversial Pro-Life and Anti-Abortion laws (via NPR), another tweeted, “Regeneron was developed from fetus tissue. Shame on Greg Abbott.”
Abbott’s diagnosis is quite ironic as he’s condemned mask mandates and other regulations amid the pandemic. At the time he allowed businesses to open at 100% capacity in March 2021, he didn’t seem worried about warnings from public health officials. “Too many Texans have been sidelined from employment opportunities. Too many small business owners have struggled to pay their bills. This must end. It is now time to open Texas 100%,” Abbott said, per CNN.