Even the White House Says Texas Should Be Doing More To Control the Coronavirus
The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit news organization that does very good work, got its hands on a White House report that details the states that need to quickly take further action to control the spread of coronavirus. Texas is, of course, one of those 18 states. And the Dallas-Fort-Worth-Arlington metropolitan statistical area is one of 51 that even the Trump administration believes should be doing more to keep its people safe. The report was issued on July 14.
The so-called “red zone” includes any state that has more than 100 new cases per 100,000 population. Eleven of those 18, including Texas, are also in the “red zone” for test positivity, meaning at least 10 percent of its tests are coming back positive. This report is apparently sent to governors. If so, Gov. Greg Abbott would see that the White House is advising closing gyms and creating additional outdoor dining opportunities while limiting dining rooms to 25 percent capacity.
As CPI notes, the World Health Organization has called for a positivity rate of 5 percent before reopening sectors of the economy. Others advise a rate of 3 percent or lower, to indicate that the virus is being suppressed and community spread is limited. That probably isn’t doable without further torpedoing the economy; at least we’re required to wear masks.
Currently, Dallas County’s positivity rate is at 14.3 percent. And dining rooms are open at up to half capacity. The White House is also advising public messaging to be tailored to focus on takeout and outdoor dining.
Read more: https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2020/07/even-the-white-house-says-texas-should-be-doing-more-to-control-the-coronavirus/
