As the leading quarterback in Texas, Gov.
Abbott has shown a repeated tendency to fumble the ball as Covid-19 infections
have surged in Texas. Instead of following the advice of the nation’s top
experts on controlling the spread of Covid-19, Gov. Abbott has opted instead to
place the lives of many Texans at risk by following the GOP party line of
opening the Texas economy. The governor
was warned repeatedly by the commissioners in Dallas and Harris counties that
Texas was not ready to re-open its businesses, but their advice was ignored and
sometimes ridiculed by Abbott. The
consequences of this oversight have been devastating. Not surprisingly, the
Texas Democratic Party described the governor’s strategy as “reckless.” [1]
After the governor authorized the re-opening of
Texas businesses, Travis, Harris and Dallas counties experienced record high
cases for two weeks, surging to 4,739 on Thursday morning (June 25th)
and tripling since Memorial Day.[2] These three counties are now
reviving plans for temporary hospital facilities to prepare for overwhelmed
hospitals. Gov. Abbott finally
acknowledged that the opening of businesses was perhaps a bit premature and
should be “paused” to ease the burden on Texas hospitals. As a result, he issued an executive order to
close all bars in Texas and reduce the restaurant capacity to 50 percent. Unfortunately, a definitive action to
mandate the use of face masks in public – considered highly effective in
slowing the spread of Covid-19 -- did not emerge.
As the governor recently explained: “The last
thing we want to do is go backwards and close down businesses…the pause will
help our state corral the spread.” Indeed,
the Covid-19 spread does not pause simply by closing business establishments
but will continue to seek other victims, especially those that are unprotected
by face masks, meeting or working indoors in groups, and persons with existing
comorbidities.
The Covid-19 statistics in Texas are quite grim: 137,624 reported cases; 2,324 fatalities, and
59,018 active cases.[3] How many more lives need to be
sacrificed before Governor Abbott decides to more aggressively slow the spread
of Covid-19? Interestingly, while
Governor Abbott continues to fumble with his hit-or-miss strategy, other states
like New York, New Jersey and Connecticut that have more successfully
controlled the spread of Covid-19 are requiring a 14-day quarantine for visitors
from states like Texas with big outbreaks of the virus. [4]
Impact on Communities of Color in Texas
The consequences of these poor judgements by
Governor Abbott have been compounded by two other factors: the common victims of Covid-19 and the
state’s demographic composition. Various studies have confirmed that Covid-19
infections and mortalities are disproportionately impacting Blacks [5] and Hispanics [6] in communities throughout
the U.S. For example, an analysis of
recent Dallas County Covid-19 cases by UT Southwestern Medical Center revealed
that Hispanics comprised 60 percent of all new cases while their county
population was 40 percent. [7]
Various explanations have been proposed to
explain the heightened vulnerability of Blacks and Hispanics to Covid-19,
including the types of jobs held (i.e., factories, food service); living in
crowded situations with less options for social distancing; lack of Covid-19
testing; and skepticism about medical doctors.
The urgency of acting more quickly in Texas is
compounded by the fact that Hispanics (39.2%) and Blacks (11.7%) collectively
comprise half (50.9%) of the state’s population [8] -- a demographic reality
suggesting that the consequences of Covid-19 for these two segments of the Texas
population are likely to be more severe as a result of Abbott’s continued failure
to follow the advice of health experts.
To this point, there is evidence that Blacks
and Hispanics are struggling more than whites and Asians to meet important daily
needs since the pandemic started. In a major effort to help the nation monitor
post-Covid-19 experiences on a weekly basis, the Census Bureau along with
several federal agencies began surveys with samples of residents in 15
metropolitan areas and has made the results of these surveys available to the
public.[9] The survey, provided in English and Spanish,
was designed as a timely and periodic measure of the impact of coronavirus
(COVID-19) on the following topics:
- Employment
status
- Food
security
- Housing
security
- Education
disruptions
- Physical
and mental well-being
Our analysis of the 1,586 surveys completed in
the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area during the week of June 11, 2020
revealed the following race-ethnic differences on three of the topical areas:
· Food security: Hispanics (16.9%) and Blacks (15.5%) were more
likely than whites (3.3%) and Asians (3.5%) to state that they were not at all
confident about their ability to afford the kinds of food that they needed for
the next four weeks. Hispanics (12.4%)
were more likely than whites (5.1%), Blacks (1.9%) and Asians (5.0%) to agree
that it was often true that their children were not eating enough because they
could not afford enough food. Hispanics
(15.8%) and Blacks (16.0%) were more likely than whites (6.5%) and Asians
(2.3%) to agree that they sometimes/often did not have enough food to eat
during the past seven days.
· Employment status: Hispanics (65.4%) and Blacks (51.9%) were
more likely than whites (43.1%) and Asians (32.9%) to state that they or
someone in their household had experienced a loss of employment income since
March 3, 2020. In addition, Hispanics (48.5%) and Blacks (45.4%) were more
likely than whites (24.0%) and Asians (17.8%) to state that they or someone in
their household expected a loss of employment income over the next four weeks.
· Housing security: Hispanics (27.9%) and Blacks (30.8%) were
more likely than whites (9.2%) and Asians (15.8%) to state that they had no confidence/slight
confidence that their household would be able to pay their next rent or
mortgage payment on time.
Absence of a Safety Net
For Blacks and Hispanics, surviving the
pandemic is analogous to avoiding a torpedo that has already been launched
given their history of comorbidities, the jobs that they hold, and other
limitations. Their dilemma is further
amplified by the absence of a safety net for healthcare, economic and social
services. Hispanic immigrants are
especially vulnerable to the consequences of Covid-19 because they are:
· Unable to participate
in Medicare or Medicaid;
· Unable to obtain
Social Security benefits despite the millions in contributions that employees make
annually;
· Not eligible to obtain
food stamps;
· Not eligible for
stimulus payments due to the pandemic;
· Not eligible for
unemployment benefits; and
· Often working in hazardous environments since their employers are infrequently inspected by
OSHA for compliance with Covid-19 standards.[10]
Making matters worse,
the State of Texas has joined the Trump administration in requesting that the
U.S. Supreme Court end Obamacare – a cruel action that will leave many Texans
without the care that they need to recover from the devastation caused by
the pandemic.
Although some reports
have indicated that the Covid-19 death rates are not increasing along with
increasing infection rates, we should not take any comfort with this trend because
race-ethnic information is often missing from death certificates. The actual mortality rates for Blacks and
Hispanics could be much higher than currently reported. [11]
A Different Approach to Stimulating the Texas
Economy
The irony in Governor Abbott’s quest to
stimulate the Texas economy is not lost here.
Would it not make better sense to more aggressively stop the spread of
Covid-19, give residents the opportunity to restore their health and return to jobs
at businesses that have been certified as safe from Covid-19 exposure? Texas
Hispanics and Blacks, for example, comprise a large segment of the state’s workforce
in various industries. Moreover, aggregate household income in 2018 -- $184
billion for Hispanics [12] and $73 billion for
Blacks [13] – represents a
substantial contribution to the Texas economy. The increasing loss of Hispanics
and Blacks from the Texas workforce due to Covid-19 infections and mortalities
would substantially slow down the economy and possibly negate the progress
expected by Abbott in re-opening business establishments.
In the absence of a safety net, it might be a
good idea for private corporations in Texas to collectively create a special
fund that could be used to support vulnerable groups like Blacks and Hispanics
who need financial support during this difficult period. After all, the
substantial consumer spending of these two segments has contributed to the
profitability of many Texas retailers and manufacturers, such as Walmart, Mission
Foods, Fiesta Supermarkets, Kroger, H-E-B, Sherwin-Williams, Home Depot, and
various others. The contributed funds
could be distributed to Black and Hispanic families during this difficult
period with the goal of maintaining their good health; returning to work in businesses
that the state has certified as safe and free of Covid-19 exposure; and
continuing their consumer spending at Texas businesses. This makes more sense – scientifically and
economically.
Final Message to Governor Abbott
The following recent quote in The Washington
Post accurately summarizes the failure in leadership by Governor Abbott and
other leaders that are following the same Covid-19 strategy:
“A record
surge in new cases is the clearest sign yet of the historic failure in the
United States to control the virus – exposing a crisis in governance extending
from the Oval Office to state capitals to city council.” (Page 2) [14]
It is especially perplexing
that the pandemic battle in Texas has been presented in news stories as an ongoing fight between the
Governor and judges in Dallas and Harris counties – a pattern that has muted the
voices of the Hispanic and Black communities where the virus is likely to have the
most devastating impact. The media should assume more responsibility for
including the voices of Hispanic and Black leaders in Texas who are supporting
the scientific solution that has been advocated by Judge Jenkins and Judge
Hidalgo. They could use some help.
Governor Abbott, you have a responsibility to protect
the lives of all Texans without delay, especially during a pandemic. You should forget about party loyalty and act
decisively according to the advice of the nation’s health experts. In case you forgot, start by ordering the
following:
· Mandate the use of
face masks in public and impose fines on people that refuse to obey the law;
· Discipline public
officials that refuse to comply with the law;
· Re-institute the
stay-at-home order;
· Close dining options
at restaurants and allow only take-out or delivery;
· Prohibit the use of group
meetings in public facilities (i.e., conventions) and encourage churches to conduct
virtual masses instead of masses attended by their membership;
· Allow schools to open
only if they are required to use face masks and adhere to social distancing
guidelines. Older or more vulnerable teachers should be assigned to teach
online classes;
· Authorize more
financial resources to expand the state’s testing capabilities to avoid the
long lines and waiting periods for residents who are becoming increasingly motivated
to measure their Covid-19 exposure;
- Launch a public relations campaign that shows all public officials wearing a mask and reminding Texas residents that wearing a mask is required by law and not an option. Going forward, the campaign should avoid using the familiar phrase “Wearing a face mask is a good idea” and replace it with a clearer message like “Wearing a face mask is a life or death issue – obey the law;” and
- Lastly,
consider placing Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins and Harris County Judge Lina
Hidalgo to lead a Covid-19 commission composed of the state’s top healthcare
experts to manage the state’s Covid-19 strategy going forward. Both judges have
been more forceful in warning Governor Abbott against re-opening Texas businesses
and showing the appropriate respect for science to protect the health of Texas
residents. Importantly, the unbiased and
more objective management of the Covid-19 strategy by this commission should
ensure that political considerations are removed from future decisions related
to the distribution of Covid-19 treatments and vaccines as they become
available.
End Notes
[1] Champagne, S.R. (2020 June 25). Gov. Greg
Abbott pauses Texas’ reopening, bans elective surgeries in four counties to
preserve bed space for coronavirus patients. Texas Tribune. Accessed at: https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/25/texas-elective-surgeries-coronavirus-greg-abbott/
[2] Champagne,
S.R. (2020 June 25). Ibid.
[3]
Texas Department of State Health Services, DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, Data
reported as of June 27, 2020. Accessed at: https://txdshs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/ed483ecd702b4298ab01e8b9cafc8b83
[4]
Goodman J.D. (2020 June 24). N.Y. Will Impose Quarantine on Visitors From
States With Big Outbreaks, Accessed at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/24/nyregion/ny-coronavirus-states-quarantine.html
[5] Associated Press (2020 June 19). OVID-19 Is
Ravaging America's Vulnerable Latino Communities, New York Times. Accessed
at: https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/06/19/us/ap-us-virus-outbreak.html
[6] Ollove,
M. & Vestal, C. (2020 May 27) COVID-19 Is Crushing Black Communities. Some
States Are Paying Attention. Accessed at: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/05/27/covid-19-is-crushing-black-communities-some-states-are-paying-attention
[7] Hacker,
H.K., Ambrose, S. and Keomoungkhoun, N. (2020 June 22) ‘Alarming’ trend of
Dallas County COVID-19 cases could worsen by Fourth of July, UTSW experts say
UT Southern Medical Center. Dallas Morning News. Accessed at: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/06/22/ut-southwestern-experts-predict-surge-in-coronavirus-cases-hospitalizations-before-fourth-of-july/
[8]
Census Bureau (2018). ACS Demographic
and Housing Estimates, Table DP05, 2018 5-Year Estimates. Accessed at www.data.census.gov.
[9] U.S. Census Bureau. Measuring Household
Experiences during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Accessed 5-29-2020 at: https://www.census.gov/householdpulsedata
[10] Held,
L. (2020 June 16). OSHA faulted for not
doing more to protect workers from Covid-19. Civil Eats, accessed at https://civileats.com/2020/06/16/osha-faulted-for-not-doing-more-to-protect-workers-from-covid-19/
[11] Rincon, E.T. (2020, April 16). Missing Race-Ethnicity Data Complicates
Covid-19 Mortality Counts, But the Solution is Simple. Accessed at: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4666951909336256447#editor/target=post;postID=242538682071119357;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=2;src=postname
[13] Census
Bureau. Aggregate income in the past 12 months – Hispanic households. Table B19313. Accessed at: www.data.census.gov
[14] Hawkins,
D., Birnbaum, M., Kornfield, M., O’Grady, S., Copeland, K. Lati, M. and Sonmez,
F. (2020 June 29). Arizona, Florida, Texas are latest coronavirus epicenters.
The Washington Post. Accessed at: http
s://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/06/28/coronavirus-live-updates-us/
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