Texas governor may announce statewide restrictions to curb coronavirus spread
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott may announce plans to shut down bars and restaurants, following the lead of elected officials across the county, in an effort to slow down the spread of the coronavirus.
He traveled to Arlington on Wednesday, in the wake of the county’s first coronavirus death: 77-year-old Patrick James, a resident of the Texas Masonic Retirement Center in Arlington.
Abbott said he will make an announcement Thursday regarding a statewide shutdown of restaurants and businesses.
Other states have done so, but Abbott has been reluctant to do so because he wanted to leave those decisions up to local officials.
“It is clear that this spread is occurring across the entire state of Texas,” Abbott said during an afternoon press conference at the Arlington Emergency Management office.
He said that the number of cases have doubled in Texas since last week, when he issued a statewide disaster declaration, which authorizes a variety of responses and reallocates state resources.
There were no coronavirus-related deaths then. By the time he spoke Wednesday afternoon, there were three.
“We are dealing with something that is not just statewide in scope, nationwide in scope,” Abbott said.
The governor said that he was trying to gather suggestions from local officials across Texas, learning about needs and strategies, before making an announcement.
Others at the press conference included Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Department of State Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd.
Texas ready
By Wednesday afternoon, Abbott said there were 83 COVID-19 cases across 23 counties. And he said more than 1,900 people were being monitored for coronavirus.
Thousands of tests have been sent to Texas. But Hellerstedt stressed that people who do not have symptoms of coronavirus cannot be tested.
“It’s not a good use of resources,” he said, adding that people must have symptoms or risk factors to be tested.
Abbott said he has talked to hospital officials statewide and said he believes Texas has a “plentiful supply” of beds, ventilators and staffing.
He also said medical tents can be used if needed. Hotels might be used to isolate people with coronavirus who might put family members at risk if they were to stay at home.
Abbott encouraged anyone who doesn’t know where to go if they have symptoms of coronavirus to call 2-1-1 to find out what medical centers are near them. He said no one in the immigrant community should fear seeking help.
“The message is the same to everybody: if you need to get tested then get tested,” Abbott said. The tests are free.
Coronavirus challenges
During the press conference, social distancing protocals were enforced and everyone was screened before entering the building. Those attending the press conference had their temperatures checked, were asked if they were short of breath or had a temperature recently, and whether they had been exposed to anyone with coronavirus.
On Tuesday, the first COVID-19 case of local transmission in Tarrant County was announced: a health care worker who lives in Grand Prairie.
Whitley called on residents to stay positive.
“We are all working together,” he said. “We are going to get through this.”
And Williams stressed that Arlington residents, and Texans alike, have proven their resiliency before — and will again.
“We are in a fight right now,” he said. “I promise you, Arlington will come out of this stronger than ever. Texas will pull out of this stronger than ever.”
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 4:11 PM.
