Texas

[LuvOrlando]

Because I'm pretty certain our governor believed this virus "would go away when it got hot"/"was like the flu"/(pick your Fox topic of the week). No need to make plans when it's just not that big of a deal. That's the only reason I can think that they felt rapid reopening, without any structured metrics of what was safe, was going to be successful. All that's ever been said was "we have enough hospital beds" like that's the be all end all of pandemic management. I can just imagine there were epidemiologists all over the state with chronic anxiety and depression.

You could extrapolate that to the federal level. This entire pandemic could have been handled vastly differently with a coordinated public health campaign that stressed testing, contact tracing, quarantines, and public health messaging.

We don't really need crowdsourcing. We have plenty of experts in the state and country. It's just that the governing bodies chose not to utilize them.

I hear you but disagree, not because you are wrong but because of human nature. If the experts are too caught up in ego jockeying maybe it's just easier to HEAR a random than an adversary, because it's so far flung and random crowdsourcing probably inflicts far less damage to the ego of those who are prideful. Often it's not about right or wrong it's about who is right or wrong.

 

[aggiedog]

So you're saying we should let the government crowdsource our solutions because that's easier on their egos? Not being snarky, just confused if that's what you're saying.

I'm assuming the no mask in church bit is to keep the conservative right happy. See "incumbents need re-elected" above. It also shows they are still ready and willing to ignore science in the name of, well, I'm not actually even sure.

And no masks in polling locations? You can't get a mail in ballot just because you're worried about illness, but you are more than welcome to stand in line with folks that aren't masked, because they don't want to prevent anyone from voting because they don't have a mask. So thoughtful, that.

 

[AustinTink]

Maybe I'm not too bright, but what is the point of a "you must wear a mask" order when you have exemptions for churches?

I don't know about the rest of the churches, but the Austin Catholic diocese is requiring masks and distancing.

 

[AustinTink]

And no masks in polling locations? You can't get a mail in ballot just because you're worried about illness, but you are more than welcome to stand in line with folks that aren't masked, because they don't want to prevent anyone from voting because they don't have a mask. So thoughtful, that.

I'm so freaked out about having to go vote. At the rate we are going, it might be the first time my family leaves the house since March. I wish we could mail in.

 

[HashberryOTG]

Not requiring them at polling places is a definite political move. I'm not comfortable going if people aren't expected to mask up.

 

[gotomu212]

I'm so freaked out about having to go vote. At the rate we are going, it might be the first time my family leaves the house since March. I wish we could mail in.

I’m lucky enough to live in a state with mail in voting allowed, but I told my family that I’d swim through a CoVid swamp of infected ebola this year if needed.

I’m really upset that it’s come to choosing between your health and our sacred right to vote in a democracy. I think it’s worth writing state officials, we‘ve seen public backlash move the needle.

 

[aggiedog]

As long as you don't protest without a mask. The governor made it clear in the initial mandate that protesting was NOT an exempt activity.

I'll be voting come hell or high water also.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Not requiring them at polling places is a definite political move. I'm not comfortable going if people aren't expected to mask up.

Sadly, I think you're spot on. And it's upsetting on so many levels.

 

[tcufrog]

I early voted at a sub courthouse near my home. I went on a weekday at 8:45 am and it took me all of 5 minutes. I felt safer there than anywhere else I've been since Spring Break. The senior citizens staffing the polling station were taking safety very seriously. They were all wearing masks and face shields properly and they had a big sign out front stating that masks were required. As soon as I entered, I had to use hand sanitizer. There were places marking where I had to stand so that social distancing is enforced. I'm on another local message board that has an Austin sub-forum. If you'd like to DM me where exactly in the Austin area you live, I don't mind asking them if they have any feedback regarding voting safety and/or safe places to vote.

 

[randumb0]

For some reason I thought mail in ballots were nationwide. We've had it in Florida for over 20 years

 

[SamFaniam]

For some reason I thought mail in ballots were nationwide. We've had it in Florida for over 20 years

Texas does permit absentee ballots, but the people who are allowed to use them is pretty narrowly defined. If you’re not 65, or in jail, you have to certify that you will be outside of Texas not only on election day, but on all early polling days. Since most places in Texas have a significant early polling Period, qualifying for this exemption is challenging. Florida, like a number of states, has a “no excuse“ absentee ballot system. If you want an absentee ballot, all you have to do is apply for one.

Recently, the Supreme Court upheld Texas's absentee ballot rules.

 

[tcufrog]

Happy July 4th!

 

[AustinTink]

View attachment 506510 Happy July 4th!

What a sweetie!!

 

[Skippy918]

Does anyone else think Texas will shut down again? Austin metro is about to reach stage 5.

https://austin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/0ad7fa50ba504e73be9945ec2a7841cb

 

[aggiedog]

Not unless the hospitals are really, really bad. I just don't think there's the political will for it. We're too Red State. That said, I just read that the strain in Houston seems to be more transmissible. Not more lethal, but easier to catch and pass on. That's just what we need.

 

[RAD]

Does anyone else think Texas will shut down again? Austin metro is about to reach stage 5.

https://austin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/0ad7fa50ba504e73be9945ec2a7841cb

The question is would Abbot allow Adler to do shutdown of the city or would he override? I'm worried about the fall when UT opens and if the young folks ignore preventive measures like they have been recently that it will totally get out of control.

 

[Skippy918]

The question is would Abbot allow Adler to do shutdown of the city or would he override? I'm worried about the fall when UT opens and if the young folks ignore preventive measures like they have been recently that it will totally get out of control.

That’s what I’m wondering if Adler has the authority to shut everything down or is it only under the governor’s ability to do so.

 

[mommasita]

View attachment 506510 Happy July 4th!

that is adorable

 

[AustinTink]

That’s what I’m wondering if Adler has the authority to shut everything down or is it only under the governor’s ability to do so.

He's trying to convince Abbott to relinquish control to the local governments to shut down their cities again.

 

[AustinTink]

The question is would Abbot allow Adler to do shutdown of the city or would he override? I'm worried about the fall when UT opens and if the young folks ignore preventive measures like they have been recently that it will totally get out of control.

It's going to be a madhouse in the fall.