Coronavirus In Texas: As State Gets Back To Business Soon 'We Need To Have Healthy Respect For This Virus'
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - As Texas continues the fight against COVID-19, Governor Greg Abbott says it's time to get back into business soon.
Dr. Mark Casanova, the President of the Dallas County Medical Society told CBS 11, the governor's plan to get the state's economy rolling again is likely the safest approach.
"If one does it in a staged approach, and one has the capacity of testing and public health to monitor new cases that emerge, and we can quickly assess and quarantine those cases, Dr. Casanova explained. "Then it is possible we can do this in a safe manner without seeing a significant increase in cases."
Governor Abbott said the state will get more tests in late April or early May.
CBS 11 also talked to Dr. Nikhil Bhayani, an infectious disease expert at Texas Health Resources.
Both doctors warn this is not the time to let your guard down.
"It's very important to publicly mask, maintain six feet of distance and of course if you have fever or any other symptoms, cough shortness of breath, you definitely should take yourself out, separate yourself," said Dr. Bhayani.
"I think we need to have a healthy respect for this virus and we need to remain extraordinarily vigilant," said Dr. Casanova.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins released the following statement on reopening the Texas economy:
"I believe we- local, state, and federal officials- can work together to protect public health and carefully open the economy. We must be fully committed to following the science so we minimize the risk of a second wave of COVID19 that could force us backwards. We must listen to our constituents including those voices too often ignored but critical to this response. This includes among others: voices for workplace safety and fair treatment, communities of color who are bearing a disproportionate share of the pain of this pandemic and small business entrepreneurs who create half the jobs in Texas.
We are all anxious to get more Texans back into the workforce in a cautious and scientific way.
Here in North Texas, County Judges have been meeting weekly via telephone with healthcare experts discussing ways to safely open the economy. Several of the things mentioned by the Governor today were already being discussed by our team in Dallas County such as loosening the restrictions on some surgeries and 'retail to go'. Others, like opening movie theaters and restaurants are not businesses we contemplate being in the first group of businesses to be opened for in person experience. None of this means that on April 30, 2020, this will all be over and #SaferAtHome will end.
Rather, it means we can open the first group of businesses supported by testing and the tracing of positive cases. After watching that first group to measure its effect on public health (probably two weeks) and if successful, open the next grouping.
Together, all of us must continue making good personal responsibility decisions and limit unnecessary trips and contact. This will play an important role as to how successful North Texas is and how fast we can end this crisis."