As coronavirus cases surge, Dallas’ Judge Jenkins and Gov. Abbott spar over masks
Dallas County reported eight more deaths and 306 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday.
It’s the seventh consecutive day the county has reported at least 300 cases and 19th consecutive day with at least 200 new COVID-19 cases.
The latest deaths include a Dallas man in his 30s, a Dallas woman in her 40s and a Hutchins man in his 40s. The other five patients were all Dallas residents: two men in their 60s, a woman in her 70s, and two women in their 90s, who were residents of long-term care facilities. Both died in the facilities.
All eight had underlying conditions, according to health officials.
Dallas County has confirmed 14,843 COVID-19 cases, including 293 deaths.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins released a pointed message Tuesday pushing back against Gov. Greg Abbott’s measures to open Texas amid the pandemic. Jenkins said Abbott’s staff asked him Sunday whether he had an idea of why Dallas County has seen such an increase in new cases.
Jenkins’ answer:
“Increased activity and human contact. Loosening of masking and social distancing. Both brought about by the Governor’s decisions to accelerate opening and limit our local ability to enforce recommendations from [the] Governor or medical experts,” said Jenkins, who added he wasn’t looking to quarrel with the Governor.
“[Abbott] may have been offended by my honesty,” said Jenkins, a Democrat, in his release. “Let’s be clear about masking. No one could be jailed for not wearing a mask under my or the City of Dallas’ orders. Rather, we made requirements out of the Governor’s recommendations only to have his attorney Ken Paxton write us a letter demanding we rescind our efforts and saying they didn’t want the Governor’s recommendations enforced or checked on.”
Texas attorney general Paxton sent Jenkins and other elected officials in Austin and San Antonio a stern warning on May 12 that they were not to enforce mask wearing, among other things.
“I’m hopeful that the Governor will either lead on this issue or allow the local governments to lead so that we can require masks in businesses and outside the home,” Jenkins said.
Abbott, a Republican, shot back during an interview with KDFW/Ch. 4, according to the Dallas Morning News. Abbott called Jenkins two-faced and accused him of abusing his position.
“The only reason why they want to increase requirements on people in Dallas County with regard to masks is so Judge Jenkins can play sheriff and go out and try to arrest people and put them behind bars,” Abbott said. “And putting people behind bars is the wrong thing. He should not be stoking hysteria.”
Jenkins said Tuesday and previously that no resident would be jailed for failing to wear a mask in public.
“In the meantime, regardless of whether leadership from elected officials happens, it is imperative that you all lead in your homes and in your lives by making good personal responsibility decisions,” Jenkins said.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations over Time
Coronavirus daily hospitalization counts in Texas and the larger Trauma Service Areas, beginning April 8, 2020. Data provided by Texas Health and Human Services.
This story was originally published June 16, 2020 at 5:41 PM.
