Texas government response to the COVID-19 pandemic
The government of Texas's initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the state consisted of a decentralized system that was mostly reliant on local policies.
[4] The initial origin of community spread in Texas remains unclear, but numerous anecdotal accounts by those later confirmed have included onset dates as early as December 28 in Point Venture, and retrospective analyses have found unexplained statistical increases in deaths during this time.
[5] Research from Austin Public Health conducted in May found 68 COVID-19 patients in Central Texas who began reporting symptoms dating back to around the beginning of March.
[8] On March 2, San Antonio Mayor Nirenberg issued a public health emergency after an individual positive for the virus is mistakenly released from quarantine at JBSA–Lackland.
[9] Two days later, the DSHS reports a presumptive positive test result for COVID-19 from a resident of Fort Bend County in the Houston area.
[11] In March 2020, The Texas Tribune described the state's pandemic response as a "patchwork system" characterized by its decentralized nature and reliance on locally enacted policies.
[12] The following month, WalletHub ranked the Texas as one of the 10 least aggressive states for limiting COVID-19 exposure based on policy decisions, risk factors, and infrastructure.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) was tasked with logistical coordination on health supplies with local groups.
[14] On January 30, Abbott joined other state governors in a conference call with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, CDC Director Robert Redfield, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci, and other health officials to discuss disease mitigation and prevention strategies.
[15] State officials from emergency management, health services, law enforcement, public schools, and universities also met the same morning to outline logistics and coronavirus information.
[44][45] Abbott initially decided against statewide shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders due to the fact that more than 200 counties did not have any cases in mid-March.
[61] Texas was one of the first states to publicize a timetable for lifting restrictions and the underlying plan was one of the most expansive in the country for reopening businesses.
[61] On March 23, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick made controversial statements on the Fox News show Tucker Carlson Tonight, saying that "as a senior citizen", he was "willing to take a chance on [his] survival in exchange for keeping the America that all America loves for [his] children and grandchildren," later suggesting that grandparents in the country would do the same and advocating that the U.S. "get back to work.
"[64][65] As Patrick appeared to insinuate lives were worth sacrificing for the health of the economy, his comments drew criticism on Twitter, where the hashtag #NotDying4WallStreet trended.
"[67] The editorial board of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram characterized Patrick's comments as "morbid" and a "recipe for embarrassing Texas".
[77] The first phase permitted the operation of retail establishments, restaurants, movie theaters, shopping malls, libraries and museums at 25 percent occupancy and with health protocols in place; these relaxed restrictions superseded all local orders.
[93] A survey of 1,212 registered voters in Texas conducted by YouGov and sponsored by CBS News between July 7–10 found that 61 percent of respondents believed the state moved "too quickly" in "reopening the economy and lifting stay-at-home restrictions".
[104][105] The lack of consistent policy at the state and local level during the reopening and Abbott's decision to quash criminal penalties for violations also drew criticism.
"[108] At a news conference on May 5, Abbott indicated that his administration was emphasizing the state's COVID-19 positivity rate to evaluate the reopening of Texas businesses that formally began on May 1.
[110] Entering mid-June, restaurants were allowed to operate at increased capacity and most businesses were opened under Phase III of the state's reopening plan.
In counties with at least 20 confirmed cases, the order mandated masks in enclosed public spaces and when social distancing was not feasible (subject to fines of up to $250 for multiple infractions).
However, the governor was chided by Democrats for being too slow to react to the resurgence in cases and by Republicans for overstepping his remit and infringing on personal freedoms.
[115][116] Texas Democratic Party spokesman Abhi Rahman released a statement saying that the order was "far too little, far too late," and criticized Abbot for "[leading] from behind.
[125][126] President Joe Biden criticized the move and a similar decision announced the same day by Mississippi, arguing that "the last thing we need is the Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime, everything's fine, take off your mask, forget it.
"[124][127] Governor Abbott responded to the comment, arguing that it was inappropriate for a president, and accusing Biden of importing COVID-19 cases into the state and others via immigrants by not testing them at the border.
[128] On March 10, 2021, the Texas Attorney General threatened to sue the city of Austin for violating the executive order by declaring an intent to continue enforcing the previous "Phase 4" guidelines and mask mandate, and issued a 6:00 p.m.
[130] On March 26, District Judge Lora Livingston blocked a request by the AG for a temporary injunction, thus allowing the mandate to remain in force.
[133] On June 7, Governor Abbott signed Senate Bill 968, which strictly prohibits all businesses from requesting proof of vaccination as a condition of service.
The order once again emphasized that public health measures were the "personal responsibility" of residents, and asserted that vaccines "are the most effective defense against the virus", and will always be voluntary and never forced in the state of Texas.
[157] A major and catastrophic February winter storm brought record low temperatures, which led to power, food and water outages throughout the state,[158] disrupting hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 vaccine deliveries and appointments.
