Abbott predicts 'tens of thousands' of Texans to test positive for COVID-19 in two weeks

Mar. 20--Gov. Greg Abbott estimated that in two weeks, "tens of thousands" of Texans will likely test positive for the novel coronavirus -- a stark increase from the at least 158 Texans who he said have currently tested positive.

His comments came during a virtual town hall broadcast Thursday night just hours after he issued a sweeping executive order.

Thursday's order temporarily closes Texas schools and gyms, restricts dining-in at restaurants and bars, limits visits to nursing homes and bans social gatherings of more than 10 people. It goes into effect midnight Friday and lasts through April 3.

"Your public health and safety is at risk," Abbott said. "We need your collaboration, cooperation to make sure we contain the spread of COVID-19. If we do this for just the next few weeks, we will be able to make sure we get this whole challenge behind us."

Texans could submit their questions on social media, and they ranged from wanting to know more about the state's testing capabilities to how the temporary restrictions would affect certain businesses.

Here are highlights from what was discussed:

Testing for COVID-19

Abbott said he anticipates the state will be able to administer between 15,000 to 20,000 COVID-19 tests weekly, and said there's a difference between those who want a test versus those who need one.

"There is a singular reason why we want to test people, and that's so we can identify who has COVID-19 and isolate them so they don't communicate that disease to somebody else," Abbott said. "There's no healthcare benefit to having the test run, because there is no medication or medical treatment for the person who has COVID-19."

When asked about a bottleneck created from counties reporting having to wait for approval from the state to perform tests, Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt said he anticipates additional testing sites through private labs will help.

"Really the system's pretty efficient," Hellerstedt said about receiving a test through the public health system.

DSHS does its best to track how many tests have been requested and come back negative and positive, Hellerstedt said, citing the need to compile numbers from private labs.

Abbott said the pandemic has not caused him to reconsider his stance on Medicaid expansion -- a measure that has failed in Texas in recent years.

"I think it's really important to remember here that what we're dealing with is a public health crisis and access to insurance is not going to resolve the immediate issue that we need to focus on," said Stephanie Muth, Texas Health and Human Service's deputy executive commissioner for Medicaid & CHIP services.

Hellerstedt said the state "is leaving no stone unturned" to distribute protective equipment, such as medical masks, to healthcare providers.

Abbott said the state is assessing alternatives to ensure there is sufficient capacity for patients to isolate if hospitals' beds fill up, including medical tents and hotel rooms.

Restrictions on schools, businesses

Abbott clarified what the restrictions imposed by his new executive order apply to.

Abbott said the temporary closure of Texas schools "applies to any type of educational institution," including colleges and universities. However, the expectation is that there will be aspects of universities, like labs or dining halls, that will remain open in a limited capacity.

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath said "we will need to wait and see" on whether closures for public and private schools will be extended past April 3. He had previously told lawmakers and school superintendents schools may be closed for longer than anticipated -- possibly for the rest of the school year. Morath said it will vary from school system to school system as to when parents will see alternative teaching options -- either online or through "low tech" options like homework packets and workbooks.

The state's virtual "Meal Map" detailing locations and hours for meal deliveries amid school closures was launched Thursday.

Abbott said childcare operations are not required to close, but expects there may be heightened standards, like visitor limitations, to limit the spread of COVID-19. Abbott said the state may also work to open additional childcare centers near where healthcare providers work.

Abbott said no particular restrictions have been applied to funerals, weddings or church services.

"Try as best as you can to limit it to no more than 10 people. We understand that you lose someone for life and it may be impossible to do that," Abbott said about funeral services, urging social distancing if necessary.

Abbott said he did not recommend releasing inmates from jail early in an effort to isolate those who may contract COVID-19.

Economy and unemployment

Abbott said he does not anticipate raising sales taxes or other taxes to generate additional revenue amid the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus' spread.

He would not speculate on an unemployment rate at its worst, but said that hopefully the temporary downturn "will be only a couple of weeks long."

When asked if Abbott would consider deferring sales tax collections for the restaurant and bar industry, he said: "We'll consider anything as we work our way through this process."

Abbott said he anticipates small businesses will be able to apply for SBA disaster loans, "hopefully as early as [Friday]" and at the latest by Monday. Texas' is awaiting on approval for its application.

When asked about low oil prices and what the state may do in terms of subsidies, Abbott pointed to many industries facing difficulties.

"These go up and down, and so if the state were to react every time the price of oil went down, we'd be reacting every other year pretty much," Abbott said.

Abbott said there may be an announcement from President Donald Trump soon in regards to the U.S.-Mexico border, "probably articulating a similar standard" as the agreement reached with Canada to limit nonessential travel, but still allow commercial activity between the two countries.

Postponing elections

Abbott said his office may make a decision as early as Friday on the possible postponement of the May 26 runoff election. He issued a proclamation Wednesday that allows local officials to push May 2 municipal elections to Nov. 3 amid concerns over voters gathering at the polls during the pandemic.

"The parties are working on this as we speak," Abbott said.

Shortly after Thursday night's town hall, the Texas Democratic Party released a letter that said the Republican Party of Texas had suggested postponing the May election "on the assumption that the public health situation would be considerably improved by June."

The Texas Democratic Party had previously called for allowing all Texans to have the option to vote-by-mail.

"Simply stalling and hoping we can go back to normal is not a plan. We must start planning now to guarantee access to the ballot box for individuals who are practicing social distancing and self-quarantining," Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement. "No Texan should have to worry about risking their health in order to exercise their right to vote."

In a statement in response Thursday night, Republican Party of Texas Chairman James Dickey said the party will ask Abbott to hold the primary runoff at a later date and "will not participate in schemes that put votes and results of the elections at risk."

"The Texas Democratic Party suggested a 'voting' method by which voters would drop off ballots in bins in a drive-through setting and then let the ballots sit for five days hoping for contaminants or viruses to wear off," Dickey said. "Given absurdities like that, I was not willing to agree to 'immediately making significant changes to our election processes,' as their letter stated."

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