Two days after GOP Governor orders Texas reopened, COVID-19 cases in Dallas county hit new peak
Texas Governor Greg Abbott lifted some pandemic-related restrictions in Texas and allowed retail establishments to reopen with limited capacity just two days ago in a trend among Republican governors to prioritize the economy of their states over the concerns of medical experts who believe that it is still too soon to allow a relaxation of stay at home orders.
Gov. Abbott’s actions are sure to face extra scrutiny after the news today that Dallas County, one of the state’s most populated areas, experienced the largest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases to date.
Officials from Dallas County announced 234 new coronavirus infections in a statement released Sunday, bring the county total to 4,133 cases with 111 deaths officially attributed to the disease.
In a warning to fellow Texans that the Governor’s decision to begin the first phase of reopening the state by allowing all retail businesses, restaurants, movie theaters and malls to operate at reduced capacity may have been premature, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said:
“Today’s numbers are the highest levels we’ve seen so far. I’m hopeful that the medical models will prove correct and we are nearing the peak. Much of that will be determined by the choices each one of us makes.”
Just yesterday, the state of Texas as a whole broke the 30,000 barrier for total number of COVID-19 cases.
You can see the press release from Dallas County announcing the new death toll attached to the tweet below.
234 additional #coronavirus cases reported in @DallasCountyTx by far the largest one day addition yet, on the same weekend stay at home orders are lifted. Case total now 4,133. One more death, a Dallas woman in her 70’s. Now a total of 111 Dallas County deaths. @NBCDFW #NBCDFWNow pic.twitter.com/ARcUTPLCh8
— Ken Kalthoff (@KenKalthoffNBC5) May 3, 2020
For those readers who live in states where the governors are following CDC recommendations before attempting to reignite their economies by taking the medically risky step of reopening businesses, make sure to thank your state’s leaders for their caution and wisdom.
For those of you unfortunate enough to live in states where the governor values big business and the economy more than the lives and safety of its citizens, let the others be the guinea pigs and just stay home if you can.
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Original reporting by David Edwards at Raw Story.
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