Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ Despite an explosion of new coronavirus cases in the Texas Panhandle tied to local meatpacking plants, Gov. Greg Abbott indicated today that he will not reimpose stricter stay-at-home rules for Amarillo and surrounding communities. bit.ly/3b34BtH

2/ Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said “surge response teams” made up of health officials, emergency response workers and the National Guard would deal with "flare-ups," including those connected to meatpacking plants. bit.ly/3b34BtH

3/ A federal task force was already expected on the ground in Amarillo on Monday to take over coronavirus testing and investigations in an effort to help contain outbreaks tied to area meatpacking plants. bit.ly/3b34BtH

4/ The Panhandle, where a workforce of Hispanics and immigrants power several meatpacking plants, is now home to some of the highest rates of infection in the state. bit.ly/3b34BtH

5/ The known infection rate in Moore County, north of Amarillo, far outpaces every other county in Texas, with 19.91 infections per 1,000 residents.

That is a rate roughly 13 times higher than the rate in Harris County, the state's most populous county. bit.ly/3b34BtH

6/ We wrote about these workers last week.

The immigrants who work in the JBS meatpacking plant in Moore County are essential to life here.

But they’re risking their lives with each shift. bit.ly/2S9jggs

7/ Meat and poultry plants nationwide have emerged as incubators for coronavirus spread.

More than a dozen have been forced to shut down temporarily.

Inside these plants, meat packers often must work shoulder to shoulder. bit.ly/2S9jggs

8/8 Read more about the JBS meatpacking plant in Moore County here: bit.ly/2S9jggs

And read more about the “surge response teams” here: bit.ly/3b34BtH