Coronavirus live updates May 25: Here’s what to know in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about the coronavirus in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Check back for updates.
COVID forces Fort Worth-area schools to mull big changes. Here’s what’s on the table.
After more than two months of virtual school assignments and teaching from home, many parents are ready for the reprieve summer will bring. But the question looms: in a few months, will they have to do it all again?
The novel coronavirus’ outbreak upended the spring semester. What started as extended spring breaks turned into school closures for the rest of the academic year. And it remains to be seen what school will look like in the fall.
Surveys have been sent. Discussions are being had. But details are scarce.
Representatives of many of Tarrant County’s school districts said they’re still in the early phases of developing plans, and need to account for a variety of scenarios.
Some measures being considered include starting the school year earlier with longer breaks built in, staggered schedules and models with a mix of in-person and remote learning.
School officials hope to release details this summer. But the list of factors to consider is long, from anticipating the level of the virus’ spread, how to close achievement gaps that may have widened and ensuring that the health and safety of students and staff is protected no matter what route they take.
Tarrant County reports one coronavirus death, 26 cases Sunday
Tarrant County reported 26 new cases and one coronavirus death on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
The woman who died from COVID-19 was from Fort Worth, in her 80s and had underlying heath conditions, the Tarrant County Public Health Department said.
Tarrant County has 144 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 and 4,977 total cases — 1,834 have recovered.
The additional cases come as Gov. Greg Abbott announced more business reopenings last week. Bars were able to reopen Friday at limited capacity, and lines of people waited outside West 7th establishments Friday night.
COVID-19 cases over time
Coronavirus daily case counts over time by local counties in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex. Tap the arrow button to replay the animation. Data provided by Texas Health and Human Services and local counties.
Dallas County reports new coronavirus cases, 1 death; judge encourages mask wearing
Dallas County reported 178 new coronavirus cases and one death on Sunday.
While new cases for Dallas County decreased in the last week, the death rate increased, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said.
The latest death is that of a Mesquite woman in her 70s who was staying at a long-term care facility. The county has 211 total deaths from coronavirus and 8,827 total cases.
Jenkins urged residents to continue to adhere to strict social distancing guidelines as set by the CDC and state and local health officials.
“Think of the face covering not as an impingement on your personal liberty but as a quintessential American activity of showing kindness to others,” Jenkins said in a statement. “The person at the store next to you may have a loved one at high-risk and your face covering protects them if you’re asymptomatic.”
Arlington offers more drive-through COVID-19 testing this week. Here’s how you qualify.
Arlington will offer free drive-through COVID-19 testing this week for eligible Tarrant County residents on Tuesday and Thursday.
Patients must meet criteria and have an appointment.
The testing site will be in the parking lot of the JPS clinic, 1050 W. Arkansas Lane, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. both days.
The tests are intended for Tarrant County residents ages 18 and older who are exhibiting symptoms of the respiratory disease. Those interested in requesting an appointment for the nasal swab test, which will be conducted by a private lab, should visit covidtesting.tarrantcounty.com or call 817-248-6299.
Residents with appointments must show a valid photo ID with proof of residency at the test site. Those who show up without a confirmed appointment will be turned away.
“The City of Arlington continues to focus on access to COVID-19 testing for Arlington and Tarrant County residents,” Arlington Fire Department spokesman Richard Fegan said. “This testing will be beneficial to helping Tarrant County identify the extent of COVID-19 virus spread. We have been involved in COVID-19 testing since late March, and there remains a need for this process to continue.”
A person should consider getting tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms and meet the testing eligibility criteria, which includes:
▪ Having a fever over 99.6
▪ Having a cough or shortness of breath
▪ Being employed as a healthcare or essential worker
▪ Being over 65
▪ Having chronic health conditions
Benbrook approves COVID-19 emergency relief up to $5,000 for businesses
Businesses in Benbrook recently received a financial boost from their local government. The city council has approved an emergency grant program, allowing local businesses to receive up to $5,000 in assistance toward mortgage or lease payments.
The Disaster Relief Grant Program was created to assist Benbrook businesses that have been financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Retail, service, and office businesses that are within Benbrook city limits and employ fewer than 100 employees are eligible to apply.
The council action was taken in response to a recommendation from the Benbrook Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) board of directors, which had proposed repurposing the BEDC’s current Storefront Improvement Grant funds for disaster relief.
“The Disaster Relief Grant Program reflects the hometown focus of our city council and EDC board. Benbrook city officials have always been committed to the success of our local businesses, and these grants align with our ongoing efforts to support and retain those businesses,” said Cathy Morris, City of Benbrook Director of Economic Development and Marketing.
The grants do not require a financial match, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis until Sept. 30, or until funds are depleted. The city council approved a corresponding budget adjustment to fund the disaster grant program at $500,000.
Coronavirus changed Memorial Day travel plans, but could good times roll this summer?
Joe Rhodes can’t wait to get back out on the road, but he’s also a realist.
Rhodes, 65, has spent the past 10 years living in a customized van, traveling across the United States, visiting friends along the way and showering at the nearest Anytime Fitness gym.
But the retired news and entertainment writer has been stranded the past two months. His van has been parked at a friend’s driveway in Carrollton, while he waits out the COVID-19 restrictions.
When Rhodes returns to his gloriously vagabond lifestyle, he knows it won’t be the same. But he’s ready.
“I’m not under the illusion that life will be as it was,” Rhodes said in a phone interview. “I have spent a lot of time hanging out in coffee shops and bars, and I’m not ready to do things like that.”
This Memorial Day weekend is expected to be the lowest-traveled holiday in decades, according to AAA, a company that provides travel services. Yet many Americans, like Rhodes, are itching to get on the road. Although few Americans are planning to travel by air anytime soon, lots of people are looking into where they can go in a car, van or perhaps a recreational vehicle.
Rhodes has his eye on getting out of Dallas-Fort Worth and heading toward Iowa to visit friends around June 1.
“As its gets hotter,” he says, “the driveway lifestyle looks a lot less pleasant.”
As MLB tries to save 2020, minor-league teams across the country might be out at home
As the 30 MLB team owners and the players union bicker over how to divvy up the revenue in a potential 2020 season, at least they are projecting to have some cash hitting the books.
Ticket revenue and concessions accounted for 30-40% of the $10.7 billion MLB made last season, and teams won’t have that this season. But revenue of local TV contracts, even if prorated, and the windfall from the national TV deal, especially the postseason piece, remain as revenue streams.
The owners of minor-league teams, however, have almost no revenue streams beyond the turnstiles and concession and souvenir stands. More than 160 revenue-generating affiliated clubs in North America have invested in the 2020 season over the winter, and are now wondering if they will get any return.
If fans can’t attend their ballparks because of the threat of COVID-19, the clubs would rather not have a season. Ballparks sat empty across the country this Memorial Day weekend, often a solid money-making date for minor-league teams.
One of them is the Texas Rangers’ Double A affiliate, the Frisco RoughRiders, one of the most valuable franchises in minor-league baseball. But there isn’t one minor-league franchise, no matter how successful in past seasons, than isn’t hurting amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s indescribably challenging,” Frisco general partner/CEO Chuck Greenberg said. “We go through the entire offseason incurring expenses, paying our staff and making various investments in anticipation of the upcoming season. Under any circumstances it would be difficult, but the timing [to suspend the season so close to the start of season] made it far more acutely so.”
This story was originally published May 25, 2020 at 8:45 AM.