SEMINOLE - A surge in COVID-19 cases throughout much of the state was responsible for Gov. Greg Abbott’s July 2 executive order requiring all Texans to wear a face-covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces. The mandate was issued for counties with 20 or more positive cases. When the order first went into effect, Gaines County filed an exemption because there were only 14 active cases. On May 13, that number increased to 20. “So, the rule is the county that loses their exemption must be under 20 active cases for 30 days to reapply for hte exemption,” Gaines County ...