‘We’re engaged in a war’: Abbott urges Texans to keep their guard up as coronavirus cases rise
Greg Abbott is asking people to keep their guard up as the number of coronavirus cases in the state continues to rise. Abbott spoke Thursday in Lubbock about the first antibody treatment for coronavirus that has arrived in the state and is being distributed. The governor said the Eli Lilly drug called bamlanivimab has to be administered to coronavirus patients in the early stages of the disease. “The goal of this drug is to keep people out of hospitals,” Abbott said. “We’re engaged in a war with this infectious disease,” Abbott said.
It could take 3 months to clear Lake Jackson’s drinking water system of brain-eating amoeba, officials say
LAKE JACKSON, Texas – The road to drinkable water won’t be a short one in Lake Jackson after a brain-eating amoeba was found in the water system. The discovery initially led officials to issue a do-not-use order for the Brazosport Water Authority. That was later changed to a boil-water notice for the city of Lake Jackson. Officials said they believe BWA’s distribution system is clean and that the issue is limited to Lake Jackson, where 11 of 54 sites tested there showed low levels of disinfectant. Baker said monthly and quarterly testing records for Lake Jackson show nothing of concern leading up to the discovery of the amoeba.
Texas Bar and Nightclub Alliance suing the state over Gov. Abbotts order to shut down bars
AUSTIN The Texas Bar and Nightclub Alliance has announced it plans to sue the State of Texas over Gov. Greg Abbotts recent decision and order to shut down bars across in the state. The decision comes after Abbott decided to close bars again on Friday after COVID-19 cases continued to surge across the state. The association is now encouraging bar owners to violate the order. Abbotts order says any establishment that receives more than 51% of its sales from alcohol must close its doors but can still have takeout and delivery.
What does the governors Phase 3 plan mean for Houston-area restaurants?
Greg Abbott announced Wednesday afternoon that restaurants will be allowed to expand to 75% capacity starting on June 12, according to a press release. Checklists for restaurants were updated to reflect the upcoming changes to include protocols on interactive venues and valet services. Starting Wednesday, restaurants can now accept parties of up to 10 people. Restaurants with video game equipment and other interactive amusements must assign a full-time staff member to continuously disinfect frequently touched areas before and after customer use. To read more of how restaurants can safely move to the next phase, click here.
Werent daycares in Texas already open? This is what Abbotts ruling means for all child care centers.
Abbott ordered child care centers, daycares and youth programs such as YMCA and Boys and Girls Club of America to reopen Monday. Licensed child care centers prior to the announcement could only serve parents of essential workers, according to the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS). Starting Monday, Abbott said all child care and daycare facilities are to open, according to his latest Executive Order. This means child care centers previously closed must reopen, and child care centers serving exclusively to frontline workers must expand to all parents returning to the workforce, Texas HHS stated in a release. You can read how child care centers and daycares are reopening based on Abbotts guidelines by clicking here.
Are swimming pools and waterparks allowed to open this weekend in Houston?
Greg Abbott announced Monday a series of reopenings as part of Phase 2 of reopening Texas economy, including an update on swimming pools and water parks as Memorial Day weekend inches closer. Abbott stated in his executive order, GA-23, that swimming pools are considered covered services and were allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity under Phase 1. As of Mondays announcement, there were no changes to that restriction. Public swimming pool openings are determined by the discretion of the owner, so check with your nearby swimming facility to see if they are open. However, Abbott also stated that amusement venues, including water parks and splash pads are not allowed to open under Phase 2, unless these establishments are added in a future executive order.
HERE 2 HELP: How to qualify and apply for food stamps in Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic
Many Texans are struggling to make ends meet to pay rent, bills and especially groceries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Texas Supplemental Nutrition Assiatance Program (SNAP) provides monetary benefits to needy families to buy the food they need. Greg Abbott announced on April 8 that he will provide $168 million in emergency SNAP benefits to help Texans during the viral outbreak. More than 230,000 Texans applied for SNAP benefits since March, as many laid-off workers are quickly turning to government assistance. “The additional SNAP food benefits will give families who are facing economic uncertainty security in knowing that they will continue to have access to food,” said Health and Human Services’ Access and Eligibility Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter.
Ask 2: Will hair and nail salons open on Friday?
As part of our new Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. The question: I heard rumors that hair and nail salons would be open Friday. The answer: Gov. However, for the fate of all hair and nail salons in Texas, Abbott says he does plan to reopen them “at the beginning of May” along with enhanced safety standards. For now, hair and nail salons remain closed for the time being.