Thread by @wesrap

In live TV interview, Gov @GregAbbott_TX tells San Antonio station his restrictions are "best practices" to slow spread. Data should be an "alarm bell" for anyone who is a "disbeliever" in the "rapid spread of #COVID19" in Texas.

#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19

On biz finding loopholes for Abbott's orders re" rafting etc, he says it's more the buses transporting ppl, not so much the actual acts of rafting. Says state will learn more about how casual raft use impacts cases based on his halting tubing for now
#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19

Key word for #txed this year is "flexibility" Abbott says. Working with TEA on mask usage, and says if his orders change by the time school starts, school districts will need to adapt.

#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19

On in-person @TexasGOP convention w/ 6k attendees, Abbott is asked if he'll be there. He says SREC is continuing to evaluate way to have convention in way to be safe. Pressed on if he'll go, he says we will continue to see what the standards are that will be issued by state GOP.

On Houston TV station, Abbott state is putting "public safety first" when considering reopening of schools in the fall. He also mentions flexibility-- on remote learning, in-person learning, & making sure plans work for districts.

#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19 #txed

"I would love to have that mask order end before school begins," Abbott says. Notes that TX set record highs in new cases, hospitalizations & deaths. Virus is spreading "more dangerously and more rapidly" in TX than it ever has, he says.

#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19

Abbott says he's gotten similar letters from metro mayors who want authority to "shut down and lock down." Says he's frustrated b/c they haven't implemented what's in his exec orders. Unaware of any local efforts to shut down any bar, he says.

#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19

If current rules followed, no need to shut communities back down, Abbott says.

#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19

On @TexasGOP convention, there will be more cases/hospitalizations/deaths in TX & Houston and he says leaders will put public safety first while also doing the business of the party.

#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19

Asked by station in Wichita Falls about TEA fall guidelines-- Abbott says pediatricians suggest best setting for child to learn is at school, but he knows health/safety of teachers/parents/students is important, so "flexibility" is key.
#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19

Depending on where data is when school starts, students may need to start year at home, or back in class. "Hard part is just being able to forecast" it, Abbott says.

#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19

What's next step for TX if cases rise? Abbott says face masks a must... If ppl follow face mask rule "we will not have to shut down" & last thing he wants to do is shut things down.

#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19

On Austin TV interview, @GregAbbott_TX says he got letter from @MayorAdler asking for authority to shut down further. Abbott hasn't seen any action from Adler on following exec orders.

#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19

Some law enf agencies say they can't/won't enforce his statewide mask order. @GregAbbott_TX says they have authority to enforce it, "maybe they just don't want to," but they can, he says. He says state lawyers helped write the exec order.

#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19

Should parents have ultimate decisions to send kids to class? Abbott says TEA is set up so parents DO have say. Districts have say in multitude in standard. "Who knows whether or not the mask order will still be in place" when school begins, he says.
#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19

On @TexasGOP convention, Abbott says: There is official biz that needs to take place, it's not just a gathering. He says Mayor has said violation of protocols could result in Mayor shutting it down. Reiterates GOP leaders working to ensure safety.
#txlege #coronavirus #COVID19