Mega Doctor News
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Vela (TX-34) led a letter to Governor Greg Abbott urging him to implement a stay-at-home order for the state of Texas. At this time, several major Texas cities have implemented stay-at-home orders in order to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The United States now leads the world in the number of COVID-19 cases and some regions of the country have seen a surge in the number of cases. If Texas takes the proper countermeasures, the state may still have time to avert a similar crisis.
“As one of the largest states in the nation, we must act decisively and quickly to protect our fellow Texans and Americans,” said Congressman Vela. “Governor Abbot has the authority to implement this order statewide, which could help prevent the spread of this devastating virus and save lives.”
“Texas cannot properly fight this pandemic through a patchwork of municipal regulations. Our state must act as one and Governor Abbott must demonstrate leadership by enacting a statewide, stay-at-home order that protects not just Texans but our fellow Americans,” said Congressman Castro (TX-20).
Co-signers include Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Colin Allred (TX-32), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-7) and Marc Veasey (TX-33).
A portion of the letter reads:
“In order for us to stop the further spread of the virus in Texas, rapid and more severe restrictions are needed. We, therefore, call on you to adopt a stay-at-home order for the entire state of Texas. This action has already been taken by a number of cities in Texas, and at least 30 states in the nation, including a number of states in the region, Louisiana, New Mexico and Kansas.”
For the full letter, click here or read below.
March 31, 2020
The Honorable Greg Abbott
Governor
1100 Congress Ave.
Room 2S.1
Austin, TX 78701
Dear Governor Abbott:
The United States now accounts for the largest number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the world- with more than 20 percent of all cases across the globe occurring in the U.S. Now more than ever, the work of our state and local officials is critical in effectively curtailing the further spread of this deadly virus across Texas and the United States.
While we recognize and appreciate your efforts to keep Texans informed and safe in this rapidly evolving crisis, we believe that more active countermeasures should be adopted to protect Texans. More must be done to ensure that Texas does not have a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, as we have seen in certain regions of the country.
As many public health experts have stated, our response in the next several weeks will be critical in drastically reducing the spread of this deadly virus. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner under President Trump and a current adviser to the President, recently stated that the state of Texas has had very limited available testing and that an undercount of cases in Texas is likely. He went on to say that the state of Texas has a very narrow window of time to avert a possibly explosive growth in cases.
In order for us to stop the further spread of the virus in Texas, rapid and more severe restrictions are needed. We, therefore, call on you to adopt a stay-at-home order for the entire state of Texas. This action has already been taken by a number of cities in Texas, and at least 30 states in the nation, including a number of states in the region, Louisiana, New Mexico and Kansas.
Saving lives and stopping the spread of the virus in Texas should be our number one priority at this time. We should make every effort to ensure that our health care workers are able to work with the limited resources they have, treat those currently infected with the virus and do everything in our power to stop the spread. Implementing a stay-at-home order could help in our fight against this devastating virus.
Sincerely,
