Texas cities say state is making pandemic worse

[TomCADem]

Last edited Sat Jun 27, 2020, 04:02 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: The Hill

City officials in Texas say the state’s government has hindered their ability to fight the coronavirus outbreak that is rapidly rising to a crisis as hospitals fill.

Local officials say executive orders from Gov. Greg Abbott (R) have limited their efforts to fight the growing number of cases; they are especially incensed by Abbott’s move to strip local police of the ability to issue tickets to anyone who refuses to wear a mask in public.

“I had the authority and I did require [masks in public] months ago,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo (D) told The Hill in an interview. “We had great compliance, because law enforcement would show up and educate and folks would get it.”

Five days after Hidalgo issued her order on April 22, Abbott used an executive order to prevent local governments like Harris County, home to Houston and more than 25,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, from issuing fines.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/504779-texas-cities-say-state-is-making-pandemic-worse

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This is a different from California where you have Republican, Trump friendly local governments like Imperial County refusing to enforce Statewide social distancing and mask requirements.

[sakabatou]

1. And you know what? Republicans don't care.

All they want is to be re-elected.

[douglas9]

2. A Texas border county had the coronavirus under control. Then the governor stepped in.

In Starr County, Texas, the pandemic has become a "before and after" story — before the state took over, and after it did.

The large but sparsely populated county on the Texas-Mexico border had managed to keep the coronavirus contained in the early months by imposing 14-day quarantine restrictions on people who tested positive, closing businesses before the state ordered closures, linking with private businesses to provide testing, and implementing a curfew with fines and jail penalties.

Then, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott overrode the local decisions and began a phased-in reopening of businesses in the state in April.

“They took the teeth away from us to be able to enforce anything,” said Alberto Perez, the city manager for Rio Grande City, the largest city in the county with a population of more than 64,000.

In the two months after Abbott exerted his authority, Starr County has watched its handful of cases — on many days there were no new ones — steadily climb and spike this month.


https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/texas-border-county-had-coronavirus-under-control-then-governor-stepped-n1232267

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Some days I think we're in a war of attrition

It's greed, self-interest, and cutthroat capitalism vs. cooperation, public health, and community.

This is a war. Buckle up.

[marie999]

4. What can the governor do if the cities don't pay any attention to him.

What if they start fining them, take them right before a magistrate and fine them?

[efhmc]

6. Many cites tried to put mask rules in place earlier and Abbott denied them the ability to do so.

He is the main problem not the cities and towns. Most of not all large Texas cities have Dem mayors and county officials.

[efhmc]

5. Houston tried to install masks rule more than two weeks ago and Abbott shot it down.

[dem4evah]

7. He HAS to follow his orange leader....

and walk RIGHT off the cliff at this point. Don't double or triple down on the ignorance and stupidity: why not quadruple down? Pieces of garbage.

[cannabis_flower]

8. Countries have found a workaround....

Abbott has said that cities and counties can mandate that businesses enforce people wearing masks in their place of business. In Harris County they now have a $1000 fine for businesses that don't enforce the mask requirement. Instead of fining individuals, they can fine businesses that don't enforce mask wearing. People can call 311 to report businesses that are allowing people to come in without masks. I myself have call and reported the corner convenience store. When I said something to the clerk they replied that people don't want to wear a mask. I told them they should put up a sign saying it's required. Then I called and reported them.

[TomCADem]

11. Abbott Is Taking A Cue from Trump

Rather than issue federal guidelines to combat the spread, Trump says it is up to the States, then he attacks States that try to control the spread. Likewise, Abbott is passing the buck to local local governments even as he bars local governments from taking more aggressive actions. Rather than find a solution, the Republican goal from the top to the bottom is to find a scapegoat.

[Brainfodder]

9. Just Republicans are being contrary to whatever Democrats push?

So what happens if Democrats say: FUCK MASKS IN PUBLIC?

[LiberalFighter]

10. His second disability is more serious than the first.

Mentally not fit to govern.

[Skittles]

13. I'm pretty sure he was mentally disabled first

I think he has been a lifelong asshole.

[displacedtexan]

12. I just heard from an elderly friend in Tarrant County.

4 generations were exposed on Father’s Day In Fort Worth by one family member who tested positive a few days afterward. My friend is self-quarantining, but I don't know about the rest of them. She has since hosted several lunches & volunteered for several Meals On Wheels visits.