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Governor Greg Abbott was joined by officials from DSHS, TDEM, TEA, and HHSC in a town hall to answer questions from the public and media.

This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics the committee took up. This report is not a verbatim transcript of the hearing; it is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.

Governor Greg Abbott

  • Dealing with a very real challenge that we collectively must respond, part of the confusion on this issue is we’re dealing with an invisible disease
  • The first time a Texan contracted COVID-19 was on March 4, now have 5 deaths, 158 positive tests, this time next there will be thousands and in 2 weeks probably tens of thousands
  • Rapidly spreading disease, but one we are prepared to respond to, have been working with federal and local officials
  • Focusing on testing currently, prepared to do 15k to 20k/week, President stated we will be able to do well over 10m/month soon
  • Thing we can do is contain the transmission and expansion of the disease
  • First time Texas dealt with coronavirus was the repatriations, all are back home with their families
  • Texas also dealt with Hurricane Harvey and large portions of the state were blocked off, Texans helped Texans and together we made it through

Questions

  • Question – Have you been tested for coronavirus?
    • I have, I have encountered thousands of Texans, tested negative
  • Question – What about your team here?
    • Chief Nim Kidd, TDEM – No signs and symptoms, we’re all good here
  • Question – Implemented measures earlier today lasting from March 20 to April 3
    • Social gatherings: 10 person limit
    • No dine-in restaurants, bars or gyms
    • No nursing home visits
    • Schools closed
  • Question – First you said all schools, does this include private schools and higher ed?
    • Abbott – Yes to all of that, but there may be certain aspects of higher education institutions that will be open like food courts or sensitive experiments
    • Gov.’s Office is working in tandem with university leadership to work out issues
    • All public schools and private schools below the college level are
  • Question – Mike Morath, is there any hope that we could reopen schools before the end of May
    • Mike Morath, TEA – Order lasts until April 3, trying to make best decisions for students and want to get closer to April 3 to make longer term decision
  • Question – Could it go through June or July?
    • Morath – Most of our K-12 schools are over by June anyways, will make the best decision for the students
  • Question – Will students pass their grade without the STAAR test?
    • Morath – Yes, STAAR has essentially been removed from consideration
    • Abbott – These are unique times that call for unique solutions, we will be flexible
    • Morath – Seniors who have not passed all the STAAR tests can demonstrate academic proficiency in other ways
  • Question – How soon can parents see online options?
    • Morath – Vary by location, will include both online and offline
    • School systems are equipped with things like homework packets and regular check-in calls
  • Question – What about children who depend on school lunches, especially for those in rural areas?
    • Morath – Schools have responded, over 1,000 meal service sites have been stood up as of today so that students can access lunch and in some cases breakfast
    • Have announced a website with a location tracker – texasschools.gov
    • Already have 1,000 school locations where people can access food and expect more
  • Question – Will Texas help with finding solutions for childcare?
    • Abbott – Yes, trying to ensure childcare facilities remain open, but also want to ensure heightened standards with regard to where parents drop off children and limitations on visitations
    • However, because more children are home we want to ensure that we don’t lose access to health care providers and working on additional resources
  • Question – What will be done for people who can’t afford? Not everyone can sit at home, many need to work
    • Abbott – There could be unemployment opportunities, new federal programs being established this week
    • Will be multiple pathways
  • Question – How will the ban on bars and eating in restaurants be enforced?
    • Abbott – Locations are licensed, TABC can enforce & bars can lose license to sell if they violate; life as an ongoing business is on the line
    • Dr. Hellerstedt also has authority to close down locations
  • Question – If people see others congregating should they call 911?
    • Abbott – Large numbers of people congregating is a health issue and should be reported
    • Implemented mandate that we limit exposure, Texans must be all in this together to make sure we are monitoring
    • Congregating in groups of more than 10
  • Question – Best way to report it?
    • Abbott – Call the health department
  • Question – You are still allowing drive-through and pick-up, aren’t you giving Texans a false sense of safety?
    • Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS – If the restaurant is doing what is supposed to be doing, there shouldn’t be additional danger
    • It’s about congregation, distance, and time, quickly picking up shouldn’t be an issue
    • Important for people to have access to restaurant food
  • Question – Do you ever foresee a moment where we could ban drive-throughs and pick-ups
    • Hellerstedt – Always have options in the future, situation as we see it now doesn’t call for that, but we must remember it is everyone’s responsibility to keep from getting infected
  • Question – Texas Restaurant Association called for all sales taxes to be deferred for restaurants and bars, will you consider that?
    • Abbott – We will consider anything in this process
  • Question – How long before Texas gets back to normal?
    • Abbott – Question of how long the coronavirus is an issue, should look to the curve
  • Question – Curve bending back may take awhile
    • Hellerstedt – Correct, thing we should be watchful of is slowing growth of infections because some people have serious complications
    • Means stretching
  • Question – Will we see the economy frozen for several months?
    • Abbott – This will be a tough economic time, but it’s tough all over the world
    • We do not want a situation like Italy
  • Question – Do you agree with the initial federal response?
    • Abbott – Initial federal response was stopping travel from China, which was a good decision
    • Since then have been in constant contact and federal gov has provided us resources
  • Question – How does Texas’ approach differ?
    • Abbott – Federal and state governments have a different role to play
  • Question – How has the state handled this, to Nim Kidd
    • Chief Nim Kidd, TDEM – We have rules and procedures, this is a global problem and Gov’s order today gave everyone across the state a level playing field in order to achieve results
  • Question – Question from a hairstylist in San Antonio, what do we do to make rent, don’t qualify for small business loans
    • Abbott – Salons have not been shut down, but there are different ways that different people who are unemployed can access benefits: unemployment insurance, small business loans
  • Question – Will owners be liable for charge backs?
    • Abbott – Our goal is to make sure he will be up and running sooner
  • Question – When will small businesses be able to apply for SBA loans?
    • Abbott – Hopefully as early as tomorrow, possibly as late as Monday, waiting for approval
  • Question – SBA cannot do this yet
    • Abbott – Have not yet approved the Texas application
  • Question – Are you planning changes or expansion in unemployment benefits
    • Abbott – We need to be prepared for anything, unsure if this will last two weeks or ten months
  • Question Can you forecast an unemployment rate at its worst?
    • Abbott – Can’t, we do know there will be a downturn and hopefully it will be short
  • Question – Asks after the Rainy Day Fund
    • Abbott – We have a Rainy Day Fund with billions of dollars, also have a Disaster Relief Fund with $150m
  • Question – Is this at your sole discretion?
    • Abbott – Legislature must act
  • Question – And you can call a special session?
    • Abbott – Absolutely
    • Kidd – Federal actions have already activated funds, very important that localities keep track of expenditures and report those to us
  • Question – What can the state do in terms of subsidies or other proactive steps for the O&G industry?
    • Abbott – Price of oil right now is same as in 2016, there are many sectors of our economy that are completely obliterated like the restaurant and movie theater industry
    • Will be able to address this more when
  • Question – Turning to retail, can you ensure state will keep grocery stores and pharmacies open?
    • Abbott – Have been in contact with large retailers and they are stocked and ready to go, restocking every single night and some are making accommodations for seniors
  • Question – You don’t have a fear of disruption of that chain?
    • Abbott – Since I’ve spoken with them, I have no fear
  • Question – Regarding the Texas AG’s office, nearly 1,000 complaints have been received about price gouging, what happens with that?
    • Abbott – Complaints are received and they will prosecute these cases, emergency declaration makes this possible
  • Question – Are you aware of any scams on the internet or elsewhere?
    • Abbott – Yes, there are scams, need to ensure donations are going to valid organizations
  • Question – Regarding testing, in a news conference on Monday you stated everyone who needs a test will be able to get one by Friday?
    • Abbott – Yes, but there is a difference between everyone who wants a COVID-19 test and who needs a COVID-19 test, purpose of testing is limiting transfer only
    • Hellerstedt – As the Governor said it is a combo of symptoms and risk factors that need to be present
    • Risk factors include being in a vulnerable population or contact with an individual who has COVID-19
  • Question – We understand from Travis County that they have to wait from approval from the state before tests are run, can you talk about this process?
    • Hellerstedt – Two ways to access tests, public and private; public uses criteria
    • Results can be anywhere from 48 to 72 hours, need to batch tests for efficiency
    • Important part is that care is entirely supportive, no specific treatments; supportive care is provided whether you have COVID-19 or not
  • Question – How can you fix the bottleneck though?
    • Hellerstedt – Increases testing availability across the state
    • Abbott – There are multiple other providers of tests aside from public health service; available at hospitals, drive-throughs, etc.
  • Question – What is currently the treatment for the virus?
    • Hellerstedt – Supportive care, if someone is ill, they should stay home unless they can’t take care of themselves at home
    • Supplemental oxygen need, etc. is when people should go to the hospital
    • We don’t have antivirals, etc. for COVID-19
  • Question – What would you tell Texans sitting at home thinking they have symptoms?
    • Hellerstedt – They should think of if they have had exposure, if not they should stay home, recover and recuperate
    • Abbott – The last thing you should do if you have COVID-19 is go to the ER or doctor’s office as it could spread
  • Question – Is the test free
    • Abbott – The test is free for those who need one?
  • Question – Is Texas tracking negative and positives as well as tests being done?
    • Hellerstedt – Working on compiling all information in one place
    • Abbott – Press conference with the President and the medical team where they stressed the need for compiling data, will be available to the public
  • Question – State has highest number of uninsured in the country, is this situation call to rethink Texas’ policy on Medicaid
    • Stephanie Muth, HHSC – Access to insurance is not going to resolve the issue we’re faced with, immediate threat is preventing the spread of the virus
    • Texas Medicaid has one of the most expansive use of telemedicine, also adding telephonic consults
  • Question – Has this situation cause you to reconsider stance on Medicaid
    • Abbott – No, because regardless of status you will be able to receive testing and treatment
  • Question – Question from dental office, will there be any mandates for dental offices to close?
    • Abbott – No intent right now to shut down any health care provider, up to employer to ensure they are operating up to standards
  • Question – What is being done to ensure medical providers can operate/have the supplies to operate?
    • Abbott – Working on the supply chain daily
    • Hellerstedt – Working to identify resources and making sure those in need have the proper equipment
    • Abbott – Several organizations are manufacturing tens of millions of masks
  • Question – Any plans for mental health resources at the state level?
    • Muth – Local Mental Health Authorities across the state and they are providing services, can call 211 and locate closest LMHA to you
    • Providing telephonic services and telemedicine
  • Question – What’s being done to help medical professionals who are stressed out and overworked?
    • Abbott – One of our concerns is that we do what we need to help health care workers, if we lose health care workers, we lose ability to respond as we need to
  • Question – Rural areas might be impacted, are there any plans to reopen rural facilities that have shut down
    • Abbott – Will look at everything needed to respond to COVID-19
  • Question – You spoke at news conference today about possibly using hotels, what would they be used for?
    • Abbott – Met with CEOs of hospital groups in Texas and looked at alternatives if hospitals fill up, first was medical tents, hotels could be used to isolate patients without extreme medical issues
  • Question – Many South Texans have concerns that international bridges between Texas and Mexico will be shut down, have you asked President Trump if he is considering this step?
    • Abbott – President closed Canadian border for nonessential, non-commercial activity
    • It is my understanding that there may be an announcement of this nature tomorrow with similar restrictions
  • Question – How will you stop flood of rafts across the river?
    • Abbott – Same way we do every other do
  • Question – Asks after activation of the National Guard, not deployed yet?
    • Abbott – Right now they can respond to specific requests like need for pop-up medical facilities
  • Question – What are the rules for funeral services? Are they exempt from the 10-person rule?
    • Abbott – Anyone who loses a loved one should be able to celebrate them, should try to limit this to 10 and limit contact
    • CDC is encouraging funeral homes to conduct services through video
  • Question – Any implications for weddings?
    • Abbott – I know a lot of people have had to cancel weddings
    • Nothing in the order about churches because we have freedom of religion, many churches are providing online services, seating arrangements, etc.
    • We are trying to ensure
  • Question – Do you support postponing the primary elections?
    • Abbott – Have been discussing this with the parties, may be making a decision tomorrow
  • Question – Any thought of a special session?
    • Abbott – All options are on the table, if everyone does their job this could be over in two weeks and we won’t need one
  • Question – Asks after jails?
    • Abbott – Want to ensure prisoners and staff do not got infected, limiting visitation
    • We have strategies in place for inmates and employees contracting
  • Question – Could we conceivably let some out of jail early to alleviate pressure?
    • Abbott – Not my recommendation, can isolate and provide special cells
    • Sam holding strategy we are using for people not in jail
  • Question – This is a costly situation, could you foresee raising taxes?
    • Abbott – No, it is not as if Texas is an isolated entity dealing with the financial challenges, many federal funds flowing through FEMA to help us respond
    • Money is not the problem right now, public health safety is; if everyone does their job from a public health safety standpoint there won’t be money issues
  • Question – Have you personally altered your practices?
    • Abbott – yes, reduced physical engagement and reduced places visited, best thing to do right now is reducing exposure
  • Question – Have been hearing that the warmer weather
    • Hellerstedt – Certainly wouldn’t rely on that happening, H1N1 happened in the Spring and Summer
    • When you get a novel virus like this there is no pre-existing population with resistance, I wouldn’t rely on the fact that warmer weather will curtail this
  • Question – What about public transport, have you considered taking action?
    • Abbott – Have monitored this, important that public transport engages proper sanitation
  • Question – Asks after public interaction and social distancing
    • Abbott – Important to limit public interaction
  • Question – Asks after those at the beaches currently
    • Hellerstedt – Not recommended right now
    • Abbott – In fact it’s prohibited right now
  • Abbott – Your public health and safety is at risk, we need cooperation and collaboration