Here’s what Tarrant County is trying to do now that ‘our economy is in the toilet’
Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley repeatedly urged people to stay home as coronavirus cases quickly spread through North Texas in March and April.
Now he’s hoping people will do the opposite — but safely.
As word came Tuesday that coronavirus cases are still trending downward in Tarrant County, Whitley noted that the economy is too.
“I think we have done significant damage to the economy,” Whitley said after Tuesday’s commissioners court meeting, referring to the more than monthlong stay-at-home orders that shut down many businesses. “Our economy is in the toilet.”
That’s why he and county commissioners approved agreements Tuesday to share some of the $210 million the county received from the federal government to help cover costs related to COVID-19 with local cities stretching from Crowley to Westover Hills.
That’s why the county is working to soon give some of that money to small businesses to help with their recovery.
And that’s why he’s encouraging local restaurants to open to 50% capacity, even if there’s not enough room for tables to be 6 feet apart, as recommended for social distancing.
“We need to get the economy back,” Whitley said. “But that doesn’t mean we need to throw away the masks or not act responsibly or respectfully when we are in gatherings.”
On Tuesday, Tarrant County reported 5,623 positive coronavirus cases, which include 167 deaths and 2,374 recoveries.
“We peaked at the end of April, early May,” Public Health Director Vinny Taneja said. “”We now are consistently declining.”
But Taneja repeated the message he has delivered for months.
“If you can stay home, that’s the safest option,” he said. “As you go out, try to stay protected. Wear a mask. Wash your hands.
“Try avoiding large gatherings.”
This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 4:17 PM.
