Texas schools, stores divided on masks as mandate ends

Now that Texas’ mask mandate is ending, florist Lucy Alanis is reconsidering a rare treat she allowed herself in Dallas during the coronavirus pandemic: the occasional meal at a restaurant.

“I guess I’m a little scared,” said Alanis, 27.

The impact of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott repealing many of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions — tweeting “Texas is OPEN 100%” — began taking shape Wednesday as businesses shed rules, city leaders plotted new safeguards and the state’s 5 million schoolchildren largely remained under orders to keep wearing masks for now. But...