President Joe Biden slams governors for lifting mask mandates, calls it 'Neanderthal thinking'

President Joe Biden on Wednesday slammed states that repealed Covid-19 restrictions on businesses and rescinded mask mandates for residents, calling the moves a „big mistake.“

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, both Republicans, announced Tuesday they would allow businesses to reopen at 100% capacity and lift mask mandates. Biden’s remarks were in response to shouted questions from the press specifically about the two states.

„Look, I hope everybody’s realized by now these masks make a difference,“ Biden told reporters at the White House. „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. … 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.“