Posted in NEWS Texas, Mississippi defy health officials, end mask mandates; Senate takes up $1,400 stimulus checks: Live COVID-19 updates March 3, 2021 Oregon reports first case of variant first identified in Brazil. Texas, Mississippi drop mask mandates. 516K U.S. deaths. Latest COVID-19 news. http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~/645539286/0/usatoday-newstopstories~Texas-Mississippi-defy-health-officials-end-mask-mandates-Senate-takes-up-stimulus-checks-Live-COVID-updates/