Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Widens Ban on Vaccine Mandate to Include Private Businesses

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the executive has been the branch of government that Americans look to for leadership during times of crisis. The current COVID-19 pandemic is no exception, as people increasingly are expecting their governors and the president to make policy decisions to mitigate the impact of the virus.

The balancing of liberty and security is difficult, particularly in times of crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, both national and state governments across the country have exercised expansive powers to enact policies in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.

In recent weeks, a measles outbreak in parts of the U.S. has led to a renewed discussion on vaccinations and their impacts on society. Some have called for certain vaccines to be mandatory while others have argued this would be an overreach of government power that infringes on individual liberty and religious beliefs.