Texas Governor Announces State Will Begin “Reopening” Process

Most of us would agree that it was a good idea to shutdown a majority of businesses for a short period of time due to the COVID crisis.

However, at some point we have to start reopening those businesses. People can only go without a paycheck for so long before they can no longer afford necessities like food.

In listening to a lot of Democrats, you would think we need to have the shutdown continue for the rest of the year. Some governors have already extended their stay-at-home orders into the middle of May.

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas understands that there’s a balance between protecting people from COVID and allowing the economy to function. He announced today that starting next week, he would begin lifting restrictions on businesses so that Texans can get back to work.

The Dallas Morning News has details on the governor’s announcement:

Gov. Greg Abbott lifted some restrictions he put on Texans during the coronavirus pandemic but said Friday that public schools should remain closed for the rest of the academic year.

While teachers may return to campuses under controlled conditions to conduct remote instruction and perform administrative duties, Abbott said traditional public and charter schools should stay shuttered to help reduce spread of the novel coronavirus.

Next week, though, Texas will allow a resumption of retail “to go” service, let health care providers perform more elective procedures and reopen state parks, Abbott announced.

While urging Texans to continue to take precautions, Abbott said:

• Starting April 24, retailers who previously were considered nonessential may begin providing pickup service or home delivery for customers;
• Starting Wednesday, in a bow to doctors and hospitals, restrictions on elective procedures and surgeries will be loosened. He cited biopsies for cancer as one example.
• On Monday, state parks will again open their gates, though visitors will have to wear masks or face coverings and keep at least 6 feet away from other visitors who aren’t members of their families.

The governor acted a day after President Donald Trump outlined procedures he said states should follow for reducing public-health restrictions.

Abbott also named a “strike force” to advise him on how to conduct a phased reopening of the state economy.

“We have demonstrated we can corral the coronavirus,” Abbott said. But he cautioned, “In opening Texas, we must be guided by data and by doctors.”

On Thursday, Trump issued recommendations for governors to follow that include three phases of reopening, but also “gates” that should precede each — including a downward trend over 14 days of either documented cases of COVID-19 or positive tests as a percentage of total tests administered.

As of Friday, 414 Texans had died for reasons related to the virus.

“Deaths, while far too high, will not come close to the early dire predictions,” Abbott noted.

Responses to the governor’s lifting of restrictions appear to be overwhelmingly positive. 

Check some of them out below: