Coronavirus ‘could soon explode’ if Texas doesn’t get tougher, former Trump official says
As more than 2,500 cases of coronavirus have been reported in Texas, a former Food and Drug Administration official questions whether this state is doing enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Texas may have a very narrow window to take tougher action to avert a bad outcome with #COVID19,” Scott Gottlieb, a physician, wrote on Twitter Sunday night. “Building case counts in Dallas and other Texas cities, and a slow state response, are a dangerous harbinger that things could soon explode in that state.”
His tweet, which was shared more than 1,300 times and liked by more than 2,300 people, came as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued his latest round of restrictions Sunday. Gottlieb served as the commissioner of the FDA from 2017-19.
Those restrictions included requiring people flying or driving to Texas from Louisiana — and those flying in to the state from locations such as Miami and Atlanta — to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Abbott’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment.
The Texas governor has closed schools and ordered Texans not to gather in groups of more than 10 people. He shut down businesses such as gyms and massage parlors. He said Texans may not dine in at restaurants, but they may pick up food to go or have it delivered. And he stopped family visits to nursing and retirement homes, and long-term care facilities.
But Abbott hasn’t issued a statewide stay-at-home order, instead leaving that call to city and county officials.
More than 2,500 cases of coronavirus have been reported across the state, along with around three dozen deaths. At least one case has been reported in nearly half of the state’s 254 counties. Dallas County reported 549 cases as of Monday morning.
“The governor made it clear about a week ago that he would take some actions, but he would leave major actions up to the cities and counties,” Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said. “So we came together with the top seven cities in the state and the top six counties in the state and we all agreed (on a plan).
“Last week, we put in place a stay at home order … that impacts 70% of Texas’ population,” she said. “So I think (a statewide stay at home plan) has pretty much been achieved.”
When asked about Gottlieb’s concerns, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley said that “he may be right.”
“But what I’m trying to do is communicate with health care and city folks,” Whitley said. “Are we planning, are we where we need to be? I’m not trying to take the doomsday approach … and scare everybody to death.
“I’m trying to take a measured response. We are all in this boat together. I’m not in my own boat trying to pull everybody else along.”
In Tarrant County, 155 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 83 provisional cases had been reported by Monday. That includes one death and eight recoveries, the health department reported.
Fort Worth and Tarrant County officials have issued stay at home orders, preventing travel outside of the home except for essential trips for food, health care and essential work. It also bans gatherings of any kind, except those within a household. Residents may go outside to walk and cycle, but must stay 6 feet apart.
The governor said decisions from his office are based on CDC recommendations, recommendations from President Donald Trump’s strike force team and consultations with Texas Health Commissioner John Hellerstedt.
“Just know that we constantly monitor this,” Abbott said Sunday. “We are ready and flexible to take any action that may be needed to make sure that Texans remain safe.”
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins put a shelter at home order in place earlier this month letting people leave home only for essential work and errands. Physical activity such as walking, jogging or cycling is allowed as long as people stay 6 feet apart..
On Monday, Jenkins put in place new restrictions for construction workers that include requiring them to take their temperature before leaving home and when arriving at work. Anyone with a temperature of about 99.6 degrees is not allowed to work and must go home.
This story was originally published March 30, 2020 at 5:44 PM.
