โThis is intentionalโ: Harris County Clerk addresses Abbottโs order, calls it โhaphazardโ and voter suppression
HOUSTON โ The Harris County Clerk, Chris Hollins expresses outrage at Gov. Greg Abbottโs order that limits the number of places voters can drop-off their mail-in ballots to one per county. According to the order, mail ballots can be dropped off in-person at only one place that is designated by each countyโs early-voting clerk. For Harris County, that is NRG Arena. People can find voting locations in Harris County at Harrisvotes.com/locations.
CDC extends US ban on cruise ships through September
Federal health officials are extending the U.S. ban on cruise ships through the end of September as coronavirus infections rise in most U.S. states, including Florida. In the order signed by CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, the agency said the cruise industry hasn't controlled transmission of the virus on its ships. The CDC said it was concerned whether cruise ships operating now with reduced crews were complying with practices designed to prevent transmitting the virus. The CDC said its concerns highlight the need for further action prior to resuming passenger operations.The order covers ships that can carry 250 or more passengers. The CDC said cruise ships are more crowded than most urban settings, and even when only essential crew remains on board, the virus continues to spread.
โNo saferโ: Hidalgo extends โstay home, work safeโ order for Harris County until June 10
HOUSTON โ Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo urged people Thursday to continue to exercise personal responsibility as she extended the โstay home, work safeโ order that was originally issued for the county in March. โWhen folks ask, โAre we safe?โ I say, โWe are no safer than we were in March,โโ Hidalgo said. The judge said the extended order also includes a set of safety guidelines for workers in public-facing businesses and another set of guidelines for workers in the manufacturing industry. Itโs not responsible.โDr. Umair Shah, of Harris County Public Health, said that there has yet to be a downward trend in the number of new coronavirus cases being reported in the county. You can read the extended order below.
This is where all 50 states stand on reopening
Jared Polis extended the state's stay-at-home order, which now remains in effect until April 26. Looking to revive the state's economy, Lamont announced Thursday the formation of the "Reopen Connecticut Advisory Board." John Bel Edwards extended the state's stay-at-home order through April 30. Gina Raimondo issued an emergency declaration extending the state's stay-at-home order to last until May 8. Tony Evers has extended his state's stay-at-home order to expire May 26, according to a statement from the governor's office.
Austin is the first major city in Texas to extend its stay-at-home order beyond May 1
Residents in Austin and Travis counties will remain under the โStay Home-Work Safeโ order until 11:59 p.m. on May 8, KXAN reports. The order which was expected to be lifted on April 14 was extended by county officials on Monday. โThe next three weeks are going to be critical for us,โ Austin Public Health Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott said, according to KXAN. โWhat weโre trying to do is buy time. Buy time for more PPE, buy time for more testing capabilities โฆ and to ultimately buy time for two of the most critical components of this, effective treatment and vaccinations.โCounties in San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston are currently under stay-at-home orders through April 30.