Texas sees record uptick in COVID-19 cases as protests continue
Source: ABC News
Two of Texas' biggest cities are reporting an uptick in COVID-19 cases over the past several days as concerns mount over how protests sparked by the death of George Floyd may be increasing the spread of the virus.
Dallas County announced an additional 298 positive cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday, according to Dallas County Health and Human Services, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 11,541. Meanwhile, the city of Houston, in Harris County, announced there were 180 new cases on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases in the city to 8,231. There have been over 13,600 cases in Harris County, most in the state.
The total announced Friday in Dallas County was the highest single-day amount of cases since the start of the pandemic. The previous high came just one day earlier, on Thursday.
"We're seeing the numbers increasing. They're not increasing exponentially, but they're increasing linearly in time with the same steady pace," said Dr. David Persse, medical director for the Houston Fire Department. "So the optimizations are in fact, increasing our case counts."
Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/texas-sees-record-uptick-in-covid-19-cases-as-protests-continue/ar-BB156EA7?li=BBnb7Kz
I don't see how the protests, which just began this week, are the reason for the uptick. I would think that this would coincide with the easing of social distancing, which began about 14 days ago.
Fiendish Thingy
(15,544 posts)Newest Reality
(12,712 posts)Propaganda works. It is specious to equate the upticks with the protests at this point. We have plenty of information that indicates that PREMATURE, hasty "reopenings" have been going on long enough to be the more likely source of increased transmission.
The mistake of getting people back out and loosing up on the important guidelines for the sake of the economy is going to bite back hard and drag the pandemic out longer. It is bad enough that we may be looking at another 12-18 months before it fizzles, (if we are lucky).
The propaganda plus the fickle churn of the news cycle seems to have managed to put people off guard when they should actually be being more cautious prior to the Fall wave. How massive does this have to be? All bets are off for any recovery when everything we have done to restrict the spread is rapidly overridden with ulterior incentives.
I give up.
RhodeIslandOne
(5,042 posts).....and in Michigan after the MAGA "I want a haircut!" bullshit. Nobody here questioned the incubation periods. It was reported and we all said "see I told you so!". And rightfully so. 7 to 14 days isn't a hard timeframe.
It's an inconvenient truth. Whether it's this week or next week doesn't much matter, these protests will have done their part to fucking up the curve in addition to other reckless behavior by non protest idiots.
Arkansas Granny
(31,505 posts)soothsayer
(38,601 posts)Im not sure. Places reopened without meeting criteria
Sucha NastyWoman
(2,740 posts)And many dont.
captain queeg
(10,082 posts)I guess not when I reread it, but numbers going up right now are more related to the anti lockdown protests than the black lives matter protests, just given the time frames.
LeftInTX
(25,095 posts)herding cats
(19,558 posts)It's the opening and it's right on schedule. While the protest will most likely exacerbate the already growing cases, it's only a part of the reality.
Texas opened dine in eating and then bars. All at limited capacity (25%), now both up to 50%. But, in many places I've seen much more than that since the inception of the opening. These are two of the highest risk activities. Now they're opening theme and water parks and some stadiums sports. Albeit, at first at limited capacity. Texas is a ripe zit about to pop and the protest are a minor part of the equation.
Sucha NastyWoman
(2,740 posts)Here in Houston most people stopped wearing masks several weeks ago. Most younger people arent social distancing either. A lot of people act like the whole thing is over,
CapnSteve
(217 posts)I did not march, but live downtown and witnessed. 60,000 people was too much for me even with masks. I am too aware of the math of infection. Totally support, but dont want to give up the benefit of staying at home right before I get back to work.
My partner is a nurse, and she has now become the mask police at her work, sadly. Heres the gist:
1) When out, always wear your mask.
2) Under the nose, under the chin, hanging off your ear, or in your pocket does not count!
3) Dont lower your mask to speak.
We did venture out to eat a couple times here in downtown Houston last week. Sat outside. All the servers wore masks (some violations of rule #2) and we wore ours when not eating/drinking.
Was it a pain?
Yes.
Worth it?
Yes.
Sucha NastyWoman
(2,740 posts)I suspect that is because a large percenatge of protestors were either people of color and/or liberals, both of whom, in my experience, tend to wear masks. Also older people.
Dopers_Greed
(2,640 posts)There have been protests by my apartment all week, and nearly everyone is wearing masks.
More lamestream media lies trying to cover for Dump.
LeftInTX
(25,095 posts)Also Texas has been open for over a month. Cases are spiking in San Antonio from people going to hair salons, gyms, restaurants, work etc etc etc
RhodeIslandOne
(5,042 posts)You'd better come to grips and be honest, the protests will have a hand in upticks from here on out.
stillcool
(32,626 posts)You'd better come to grips and be honest, the upticks are occurring as a result of states opening. If you want to mitigate the coming up-ticks, wear a mask and social distance...if it doesn't infringe on your freedoms.
Brainfodder
(6,423 posts)If you cringe when you hear them answer, you've probably found them.
Asking for a friend.
tanyev
(42,514 posts)The protest numbers are still in the pipeline.
Crowman2009
(2,490 posts)....re-opening policy.
Bengus81
(6,927 posts)Hopefully that's only a load of old folks who the Gov said needs to move aside and give one up for the team.
tclambert
(11,084 posts)Said no one except Republicans.
yellowdogintexas
(22,214 posts)next week, I should think.
I wish I could have marched, but COVID is just too scary. My husband has 3 co morbidities, and I have one.. We pretty much only go to the grocery.
I am supposed to be an Election Judge for the runoff and I am not sure that I will
Steelrolled
(2,022 posts)The think the causes are three:
1. Lots of reporters aren't good with numbers and graphs confuse them and they can't (or won't) seek help.
2. Preconceived notions of many forms and for all kinds of reasons.
3. Gotta make a good story to sell ads.