Texas and Florida, both states which have fully reopened and removed their mask mandates, have reported lower numbers of new COVID cases than other states with mask and social-distancing mandates still in full effect, including Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York.

According to CDC data, Michigan’s number of COVID cases per 100,000 people over the last 7 days is 381.5. This same figure for Pennsylvania is 214 people, and in New York City alone there are 196 COVID cases per 100,000 people over the last week. These states are still under full COVID restrictions including mask mandates and social distancing rules.

Back in September, Florida’s Governor allowed the state’s businesses to reopen. In early March, Governor Greg Abbott reopened the state of Texas and removed their mask mandate. According to CDC data, Florida’s number of COVID cases per 100,000 people over the last 7 days is 191.9, while Texas reports a number of 69.9 which is among the lowest in the nation. Both of these states are proceeding without COVID restrictions, and are reporting significantly lower COVID cases per capita than others with COVID restrictions in full effect.

Although over half of Michigan’s adult population has been vaccinated, they have recorded 91,000 new cases over the last two weeks, which is the highest in the United States. Hospitals in Michigan have reached critical capacity levels due to heightened COVID hospitalizations, including younger age groups such as people in their 30s.

There is little correlation to be seen between closing businesses, enforcing social distancing, and requiring people to wear masks. While skeptics and critics still remain to bash Gov Abbott’s policies, the numbers are showing a trend of positive success. Compared to those states with full restrictions in place, Texas and Florida are finding success in leaving masking and social distancing decisions up to the public.