TexPIRG tells Gov. Abbott it’s time to shut down, start over and do it right

With COVID-19 surging in Texas, experts ask the governor to prioritize public health

AUSTIN — TexPIRG is calling on Governor Abbott to hit the reset button on the state’s response to containing the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as cases surge to concerning levels. More than 1,000 health professionals nationwide, including 43 from Texas, have now signed an open letter to America’s decision makers urging them to shut it down, start over, and do it right this time to contain COVID-19 and save lives.

“Governor Abbott needs to hit the reset button,” said Lauren Banister, Public Health Associate with TexPIRG. “We moved too quickly to reopen and now we’re facing the consequences. Although we’ve slowed down the surge of the virus in the last few weeks, we have not hit key benchmarks to be able to squash future outbreaks.”

The group is urging Governor Abbott to close non-essential businesses, limit restaurant service to take-out, and mandate that masks be worn in all situations, indoors and outdoors, where we interact with others. People should stay home, going out only to get food and medicine or to exercise and get fresh air. 

These protocols should stay in place until the positivity rate, the percentage of COVID-19 tests coming back positive, is at 2 percent or lower on average statewide. Health experts agree that’s low enough that they’d feel confident the current outbreak is under control. 

Even still, once the positivity rate hits 2 percent or lower, the state should not start reopening again unless it meets the following criteria laid out by health experts:

• Enough daily testing capacity to test everyone with flu-like symptoms plus anyone they have been in close contact with over the last two weeks (at least 10 additional tests per symptomatic person). Currently, Texas has only 30 percent of the testing capacity it needs to meet that threshold.

• A workforce of contact tracers large enough to trace all current cases.  Texas is currently 4,500 contact short of the estimated number of contact tracers it needs. 

• Enough personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep essential workers such as health professionals, emergency responders and grocery store clerks safe.

Federal support is key to helping states reach these benchmarks, and so far it’s been sorely lacking. That’s why TexPIRG is also urging the Trump Administration and Congress to provide a national strategy and resources for ramping up testing infrastructure around the country and ensuring that all essential workers get adequate PPE. 

“Telling the hard truths and making the hard calls now will save more lives later. That’s why we’re calling on our leaders to rise up to the challenge. Half measures will only lead to more suffering,” finished Banister.

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TexPIRG is an advocate for the public interest. We speak out for a healthier, safer world in which we’re freer to pursue our own individual well-being and the common good.