TexPIRG statement on Gov. Abbott’s reopening announcement

TexPIRG

AUSTIN– Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday that he is loosening coronavirus restrictions on restaurants and businesses in many parts of the state. Businesses will be allowed to operate at 75 percent capacity. 

This is happening even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study last week that found that adults who tested positive for COVID-19 were about twice as likely to have eaten at a restaurant in the two weeks prior to getting sick. 

In response, TexPIRG Director Bay Scoggin released the following statement:

“Some of the top economists in Texas, and across the country, have told Governor Abbott in no uncertain terms that the economy will not recover until he gets the virus under control. Yet, the governor is loosening restrictions while COVID-19 cases are still well above the levels that health professionals deem safe for reopening. 

Lifting restrictions too soon, especially in high-risk settings for spreading the virus like indoor dining, will prolong economic damage and risk lives unnecessarily.

Instead of reopening prematurely, Governor Abbott should unleash the resources necessary to ramp up testing so that we can return to some semblance of normalcy safely.”

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