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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTexas cities say state is making pandemic worse
Texas cities say state is making pandemic worse
By Reid Wilson - 06/27/20 06:28 AM EDT
City officials in Texas say the states 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 Abbotts move to strip local police of the ability to issue tickets to anyone who refuses to wear a mask in public.
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.
Abbott's office declined to comment beyond the public statements he has made.
more...
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/504779-texas-cities-say-state-is-making-pandemic-worse
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)I don't know what the % were, but alas, the federal/states opened up to soon (San Francisco to name one) and I believe in October 1918 alone, 200,000 died. Altogether, there were approx. over 600,000 that died here in the USA.
We as the "superior" species should learn from the past, history, but alas, we don't. Human beings continue to ignore history, warning signs from the past. I guess that saying that "history repeats itself" is spot on.
uponit7771
(90,364 posts)RainCaster
(10,923 posts)They have gone down so low. They are now the party of losers and Putin.
chriscan64
(1,789 posts)Local officials get it, but their efforts are being thwarted by the state. Additionally, the Trump fueled notion that mask wearing is a political statement is giving rise to incidents at businesses of angry customers refusing to comply. The absence of leadership at the federal level is astounding in its scope. Worse yet, the little bit of leadership that Trump does offer is to lead his base down these rabbit holes. Because the virus "makes me look bad."
Renew Deal
(81,877 posts)They care about getting elected. People are a necessary evil to them.
DBoon
(22,397 posts)People love the lack of an income tax in Texas
This attitude gives you a government that is completely ineffective at protecting the population
dalton99a
(81,599 posts)And of course this stupidity:
Liberal In Texas
(13,580 posts)until Abbott acceded to The Con In Charge's selfish demand to open up. Now we've lost all the ground gained for the sacrifices made back then.
It's another example of repubs not having the guts to stand up to Little Mussolini when they know he's wrong and another example of repubs not knowing how to govern and another example of repubs not caring about the health and lives of people more than making businesses profits.
Tommymac
(7,263 posts)at the start of this mess.
Donnie has crippled the economy unnecessarily through inaction.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,494 posts)Typically when I scan through Texas news sites, it's all about conservative attitudes and machismo.
Today, I sense a bit of panic in the air with this sample of headlines (from Dallas News.com):
Demand for coronavirus tests soars at Dallas Countys main screening sites
Dallas County records 496 coronavirus cases, a new one-day high, and 10 deaths
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott closes bars, dials back restaurants to half-capacity, shuts river rafting
Multiple Rangers employees test positive for COVID-19, others reportedly terrified to work at Globe Life Field
5 federally funded coronavirus testing sites in Texas granted extension following outcry from lawmakers
Off-duty officer attacked after telling people to leave Far North Dallas pool, police say
5 Dallas stores undergo deep cleans after employees test positive for COVID-19
KY...........
world wide wally
(21,755 posts)There was no "freedom' during the war, but only after the fighting was done. During the war the soldiers had complete discipline and common sense.
We are in the position at this time being the time of war. When it is over you can take your fucking masks off.
dalton99a
(81,599 posts)Eyeball_Kid
(7,434 posts)to pay the Taliban for killing US soldiers. Then he praises Putin for being a strong leader.
Who does Trumpy serve?
Texans and other Trump-humpers ought to take notice.
Hes not YOUR president. Hes Putins gopher.
leftieNanner
(15,160 posts)That my sister in law's brother (right wing nut) has tested positive and his wife and daughter have symptoms. They will be tested early next week. From what I understand, he was one of those "you can't make me wear a mask 'cuz - Free-dumb" kind of guys. Arrogant asshole to my mind.
So now what? Our niece is getting married tomorrow (we're not going) and had he not been tested before the wedding, he would have been a super spreader - killing of his own family.
Nuts.
Igel
(35,359 posts)Her authority a month ago was basically "nobody's told me I can't." It's not the case politicians can do anything unless the law forbids it; rather the other way around. Legislature's not in session, so either the state government just says, "Screw the law, do whatever you want" or it enforces the restrictions.
When Hidalgo issued the order a month ago, it came with stipulations. No fines for a while. At least in some areas. In those areas police would educate and hand out masks. In wealthier areas, they'd fine fairly soon after it took effect. Houston has a racial skew tied to ethnicity. This rankled.
The problem isn't just the state. If people listened to advice and complied because it was the right thing to do, instead of requiring politicians to order police to compel compliance, there'd be no problem. The whole having strangers say, in effect, "Yeah, I am the boss of you and I'll shame and insult until you genuflect!" is counterproductive bullying. In some areas you continued to see more compliance and the masks never went away. The upsurge in cases in Harris County/Houston aren't to the same extent across the board. And they're in the areas where you'd certainly not expect the people to be saying, "Hey, I wanna be just like Trump!"
There's currently a face-mask requirement in businesses in Harris County/Houston. Businesses can be fined $1000 for each person inside not wearing a mask. Employee or customer. There *is* justification for that in the law.
Lonestarblue
(10,085 posts)The rate of Texans without health insurance rose for the second year in a row, making it once again the most uninsured state in the nation, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
In 2018, 17.7% of Texas residents about 5 million people had no health coverage, up from 17.3% in 2017. Both years, Texas had almost double the number of uninsured people compared with the national average of 8.7% in 2017 and 8.9% in 2018. It was one of only nine states to record an increase in the uninsured rate.
https://www.texastribune.org/2019/09/10/texas-has-most-people-without-health-insurance-nation-again/
Im sure the rate increased in 2019. And Abbott gave the okay for Pence to appear at a Dallas megachurch so they can spread the virus even more. Republicans are the stupidest people on Earth when it comes to economics. Open big churches, which pay no taxes, so the virus can spread, necessitating that bars and restaurants, which do pay taxes, close down because of the rapid spread of the virus. Every states budget relies on taxes, including sales taxes. The economy will not fully operate again until the virus is under control. Is it such a hard concept to learn that policies that allow the virus to spread are counterproductive to the economy working again!
BobTheSubgenius
(11,571 posts)Pathological belief in The Market? Or something more sinister?
Either of the first two are completely plausible, but I can't take the third off the table, based on various govt. actions and statements. Sometimes, the political landscape seems like a Bosch painting adapted for the screen by Terry Gilliam.
Scalded Nun
(1,240 posts)This is the Texas leadership that says it's too bad if grandma or mom dies as long as the economy stays open. The state AG sues any city wanting to impose restrictions. The only thing sadder than all this is the dumbshit majority that has kept these asshats in power for over 20 years. Even after 20 years in power their campaign ads warn that democrats will keep doing bad things and that the GOP is trying to make things better. And these fucking ignorant, hating fools keep on buying the bullshit.
azureblue
(2,152 posts)that they are killing the people who vote for them... I'm waiting for that idea to enter their minds - I bet they will spring into action then...
Wolves ov Siberia
(15 posts)The cities of Garland, Rockwall, and Colleyville have straight up said they are not implementing a mandatory mask order. Heck, some are even having fireworks shows tonight. We are f'n doomed...
Scruffy1
(3,257 posts)Judge Saminiega wrote an eloquent letter to Abbott pleading for the lives of El Paso residents and the mayor and city council have begged buut the ashole ignored it. Too bad he's not up for reelection.
iluvtennis
(19,876 posts)paleotn
(17,989 posts)When infectious diseases like flu and colds are on slow burn. This is going to be one hell of a Winter.
Sucha NastyWoman
(2,754 posts)I live in some pretty red burbs in Harris County but not within the city of Houston. The Democratic wave that Beto brought to the 2018 election replaced the long time old white male County Judge with Lina because Harris County As a whole is indeed blue. These people are besides themselves about it, especially the good old boy jacked up pickup truck types. On Nextdoor they call Lina Dora the Explorer or that little girl and insists she is totally in over her head. But thats not what I see.
I think she has tremendous potential and is definitely a rising star in Democratic politics. Read her Wickipedia page And you will be impressed too. And all of this before her 30th birthday.