Thread by @TiffanyAlaniz

BREAKING: President Trump says White House Task Force member, Dr. Deborah Birx, is coming to visit Oklahoma next week where she will give an “agressive, tailored” strategy for reducing the spike in #coronavirus cases.

Birx will also visit Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, & Arkansas next week.
Oklahoma’s @GovStitt received a letter from U.S. Rep. James Clyburn saying Oklahoma ignored White House guidelines to stop #COVID19 spread.
Last week Governor Stitt called the letter “political” (MORE)

As far as making changes-Stitt said we would have to see 2500 new cases a day for 14 continuous days before we would have 1200 patients in the hospitals. ONLY if that happens would they look at making adjustments reducing capacity in restaurants and possibly closing bars. (MORE)

However, the report from the White House Task Force recommends closing bars and reducing indoor seating capacity, closing or limiting capacity in gyms in some areas, and requiring masks in much of the state.
The White House #coronavirus Task Force and Rep. Clyburn say (MORE)

Oklahoma is in the red zone and refusing to comply with White House recommendations for slowing the spread of #coronavirus
So it will be interesting to see what, if anything, happens with Dr. Birx’s visit to Oklahoma. Additionally, our interim epidemiologist for the state (MORE)

Aaron Wendelboe, completed his term and left his work at the State Health Department at end of last week.
@HealthyOklahoma announced Jared Taylor would now be serving as a consultant and that Taylor will work "to ensure continuity of epidemiological support and expertise (MORE)

to public health stakeholders as agreements are finalized.” Presumably state’s epidemiology consultant would be included in meeting with Dr. Birx
We’ve reached out to Governor Stitt’s office for comment and I’ll also reach out to Tulsa Mayor @gtbynum and OKC Mayor @davidfholt

to see if they have a comment about Dr. Birx’s visit to the state & if they will be attending the meeting with her where President Trump says she will provide an “aggressive, tailored” strategy for helping reduce the spike of #coronavirus cases in Oklahoma.
#Tulsa #OKC #COVID19

NEW: Tulsa Mayor @gtbynum tells me he hasn’t heard about White House Task Force member Dr. Birx’s visit to Oklahoma next week.
Yesterday, Dr. Dart @TulsaHealthDept announced 19.59% positive case rate for coronavirus tests done in July in Tulsa County. (MORE)

Here is the statement from Norman Mayor @clarkfornorman about Dr. Birx’s visit to Oklahoma next week to provide a strategy to reduce COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma.

FOX23 reached out to Governor Kevin Stitt’s office for statement/reaction about President Trump’s announcement that Dr. Birx will visit Oklahoma next week to provide strategy to reduce coronavirus cases here. No statement tonight, they are waiting to hear details abt her visit.

Here’s Dr Birx talking about the model they used in Arizona. She says it uses 5 “common sense” things to help decrease cases, hospitalizations, & critical mortality.
Birx says they’ll be bringing that model to 6 states next week. Oklahoma is one of them.

https://twitter.com/whitehouse/status/1291105010798002176?s=21

https://twitter.com/whitehouse/status/1291105010798002176

“We recognize that in-person instruction is the best environment for students to learn, and everyone in Tulsa County can do their part to slow the spread so our students can safely return to school. Wear your mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.”
Dr. Dart THD (MORE)

Late this afternoon, @TulsaHealthDept sent out this release saying the health department recommends ALL Tulsa County schools follow @CDCgov guidelines. It also gives a reminder that THD doesn’t mandate school decisions but serve as a resource to provide guidance. #oklaed (MORE)

Dr. Dart also says he recognizes circumstances vary by district and school. He says for some that means virtual learning and for others increasing screening and cleaning protocols, along with mask requirements and social distancing.
#coronavirus #oklaed #Tulsa #Oklahoma (MORE)

In the Tulsa area.....Tulsa, Jenks, and Owasso Schools have announced they will start the school year online only. Broken Arrow, Union, and Bixby plan to return to in person class. Bixby is scheduled to start 1st group August 17th, BA starts Wed August 19th, Union Mon August 24th