Abbott: Executive Order to stay-at-home is set to expire on April 30th; that EO has done it's job to slow the growth of COVID19 and will let it expire as scheduled. Will open Texas businesses in phases. Phase 1 begins Friday May 1st Phase 2 as early as May 18th Most important element of Phase 1 is protecting the most vulnerable(65+); Phase 1 emphasizes vulnerable remaining at home if possible Businesses that can open May 1st: All retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls Limiting occupancy to no more than 25% This exceeds all local orders If Phase 1 works, Phase 2 will expand that to 50% occupancy Allows businesses to re-open; does not require them to do; if they don't want to, no requirement to do so All museums and libraries can open under same 25% capacity; Hands-on exhibits must remain closed Sole proprietors/practitioners can return to work Places of worship can expand capacity even more Outdoor sports allowed at this time, no more than 4 participants at one particular time & as long as distancing practices happen; Goal in Phase 2 to allow more sporting activities Doctors, Nurses, Dentists need to get back to work; patients need to get in to see them; All licensed are allowed to return to work; All hospitals must reserve 15% for COVID patients Business in counties with 5 or fewer cases can proceed to 50% capacity Working to open barbershops, hair salons, gyms as soon as possible; hoping no later than mid-May Working on safe ways to open summer camps Dr. Birx said Texas plan was great Strongly recommend everyone wear a mask but it's not a mandate. No jurisdiction can impose any type of penalty or fine.
Is this too fast? They make me nervous. Retail operators will all feel the pressure to open, even if they don't think they can keep customers safe. No bail outs, no rent forbearance, or any kind of help if you are, after all, technically allowed to operate. If you stay closed for safety, it's on your own dime.
And how many businesses will stay closed knowing their competitors are open? Really hope this works...
I ordered some masks from this LA company Wednesday and got them today with free shipping. Nice thick soft cotton material and good quality washable masks. They aren't flimsy thin cotton like a lot of the masks I've seen. https://losangelesapparel.net/products/3-pack-cotton-mask?variant=31665414406206
How are they going to know if any of these phases “work” with the very inadequate testing we have now? Abbott continues to make bad decisions, in my opinion. I hope I’m wrong.
I just wish it was based on something more than "let's see if the virus will just not spread so bad this time."
I would like to point out that this good Doctor Dan Erickson's place of business (Accelerated Urgent Care) is a multi-location "Doc-In-A-Box". Take that for whatever you will.
Lol, let's see, believe leading scientific and medical experts or a guy that runs an urgent care franchise... In Bakersfield? Hmm...
Don't forget Fresno and Temecula. But how many of us that sit and judge him have walked the Streets of Bakersfield?
Our Governor needs to up the testing big time, instead of focusing more on reopening. Just to compare a few countries to Texas, we are really not doing what we should or could be doing in detection and prevention. I'm listing total Coronavirus cases / testing per million below to compare. Texas 25,515 / 10,418 Switzerland 29,264 / 29,637 Portugal 24,027 / 35,321 Ireland. 19,648 / 25,785 Israel 15,589 / 34,971 Austria. 15,357 / 25,819 Singapore. 14,951 / 20,815 Denmark. 8,851 / 28,805 Maybe Abbott doesn't want to ask for more money or help because he doesn't want to rub Trump the wrong way, but he needs to do more.
Is there a big segment of the texas population that are being denied testing at this point? Texas is like 16th in deaths with this huge population.
The coronavirus has killed more than vietnam IN 2 MONTHS and yet somehow it is an overreaction. The level of mental gymnastics and dishonor to those that die is appalling
Big segment ? You mean everyone? "Unless you have symptoms...you dont have enough symptoms..only first responders..if you have symptoms stay home and quarantine dont come in unless really have to" anecdote my brother in law was at a confirmed case house. He found out later about the person. He passed out and was taken by ambulance to hospital. Only then because of those 2 events did they test him. He came back positive. Released , back in hospital , released all the while my sister showing signs. My sister was unable to secure a test and by the sounds of it they were talking to her like confirmed but "whats the point?" Did she have it? Probably . Brad pitt did a joke about it on Saturday its the deal. That is where we are..Real world is what it is.
Wondering if the sheer size of the state helps spread population density across a larger area plays a factor or if there is some other reason. How do the population centers (Houston, Dallas, and Austin) compare with similar large cities in smaller (by amount of land) states? And breaking down the question into the "testing" part, I believe I have read that Texas falls behind other states in testing.
