Parker County refusing to require face masks, allows restaurants to keep 75% capacity
Parker County Judge Pat Deen won’t require residents to wear face masks in public spaces and is allowing restaurants to remain at 75% capacity despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s Friday order.
Gov. Abbott closed all bars and other establishments that receive more than 51% of its sales from alcohol starting at noon Friday and is limiting restaurants to 50% capacity starting Monday. Health officials hope the measures help slow the coronavirus pandemic surge which has hit all-time highs this week in Texas.
Parker County, however, has been unable to report daily coronavirus case updates because of reporting errors with the state. Parker County Judge Pat Deen told the Weatherford Democrat that until accurate pandemic totals are provided by state health officials he won’t require residents to wear masks. State data shows that Parker County has confirmed 177 total COVID-19 cases, including one death. Daily updates from county officials, however, halted on June 18.
Parker County was granted attestation on June 12, which allows counties with few COVID-19 cases to keep restaurants open at 75% capacity.
“Until we understand the accuracy of what the real numbers are in Parker County, we’re not going to take any action,” Deen said. “I think going to mandatory masks at this point would be premature. As we opened up the numbers went up slightly, but it was moderate in its rise and so I think what we need right now is patience to get back the actual data of what the situation is in Parker County before we consider anything.“
Deen said his biggest concern is the “health and safety of the people of Parker County.”
“Everything else is a distant second to that — but it’s hard to make decisions when you don’t have the data specific to your county,” he said.
But health officials at every level, including the CDC and the Texas Department of State Health Services, have urged residents to wear face coverings and adhere to social distancing when out in public areas and stores. Officials in the state’s largest counties including Harris, Dallas and Tarrant are requiring face masks from employees and patrons of stores and restaurants.
Estimated active cases over time
Coronavirus daily active case estimates by local counties in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex, beginning April 8, 2020. Data provided by Texas Health and Human Services.
