(Austin, TX) -- Several dozen Texas House Democrats want Gov. Greg Abbott to change his mind about not requiring masks in the upcoming school year. Masks are optional in schools after Abbott signed an executive order prohibiting mask mandates. More than 30 House members, including seven from the Houston area, signed a letter to Abbott and Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath late last week asking them to reverse their stance, and to allow school districts to offer remote learning again to high-risk students. In Houston last week, Abbott said Texans know how to protect themselves from the pandemic.