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Debate in Texas over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
These pages were updated from March 2020 through June 2020 and do not contain the latest commentary available. To submit arguments for inclusion on this page, email editor@ballotpedia.org. To learn how Ballotpedia decides which arguments to feature, click here.
Ballotpedia is providing comprehensive coverage of how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting America's political and civic life. In addition to monitoring federal, state, and local responses to the coronavirus, we are also capturing the nationwide and local debates on whether to extend or lift coronavirus-related restrictions affecting the economy, schools, government operations, public health, religious services, and travel.
These arguments come from a variety of sources, including public officials, journalists, think tanks, economists, scientists, and other stakeholders. We encourage you to share the debates happening in your local community to editor@ballotpedia.org.
This article covers the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Texas in response to the coronavirus pandemic. You will find the following:
- Debate over the stay-at-home order
- Debate over school closures
- Debate over religious service restrictions
- Debate over election policy
- Links to coverage of responses to the coronavirus in Texas
Debate over stay-at-home orders in Texas
This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on the stay-at-home order in Texas.
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Casey Jones and Kenneth L. Stewart, Angelo State University (GoSanAngelo):
"We do not believe increased loss of life should be the cost for prematurely reopening our economy. Accordingly, we should heed the guidance of medical experts who base their advice on available scientific data, something Governor Abbott said he would do to reopen the state." - "Balancing reopening economy, controlling COVID-19 presents tricky dilemma," June 6, 2020.
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Peter Hotez, Dean of the School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine (The Hill): Peter Hotez, Dean of the School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine said Texas should implement an aggressive lockdown policy and enforce social distancing measures to stop the spread of the virus.
"The numbers are quite concerning in terms of the number of cases, but in some ways that’s the least of it because our hospitalizations are going up dramatically. [This is] the greatest public health failure in the history of the nation." - "Texas should implement full lockdown and social distancing measures amid surge in coronavirus cases, doctor says," June 24, 2020.
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Dallas County Commissioners Court Judge Clay Jenkins (D) (KHOU 11): In an order requiring face coverings to be worn at essential businesses in Dallas County, Judge Clay Jenkins said the measure would protect front line workers.
"Don't look at this as an abridgment of your freedoms. You still have the freedom to do everything you could do yesterday, you’re going to do it a little bit more safely for you and your family and the public and the front line workers at the grocery store." - "Dallas County the latest in Texas to require residents to wear 'cloth coverings'," April 16, 2020.
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Governor Greg Abbott (R) (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal): Governor Greg Abbott argued that the coronavirus could still be contained while businesses reopened.
"There are strategies that have worked because there have been some businesses that have been open at the same time we’ve been reducing the spread of the coronavirus. So we need to learn from those strategies that work and let other businesses deploy those strategies while we are ensuring that we continue to slow the spread of the coronavirus." - "Abbott eases some restrictions in fight against coronavirus," April 16, 2020.
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Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (D) (Houston Public Media): Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he did not think the city was ready to open due to concerns over public health.
"We have yet to reach our peak here in Houston, so it is very important for everyone to stay focused and stay home. Since we have not reached our peak yet, we cannot yet have that discussion about opening up. We need to stay to course and focus on the task at hand. The focus right now is saving people’s lives." - "Coronavirus In Greater Houston: Hobby, Bush Airports To Receive $200 Million In Federal Funds," April 14, 2020.
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Governor Greg Abbott (R) (Fox News): Governor Greg Abbott said Texas needed to restart the economy while limiting the spread of the coronavirus.
"We cannot ignore the impact economically that the coronavirus has caused. Later this week I will outline both safe and healthy strategies where we can begin the process of going about reopening businesses in Texas and revitalizing the economy." - "Texas gov Abbott eyes reopening state businesses as he preps executive order laying out guidelines," April 14, 2020.
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Dr. Peter Hotez, Houston pediatrician, author and vaccine scientist (KHOU-11 NEWS): "Alarming rise in COVID19 cases and hospitalizations in Houston, also Dallas Austin getting really bad. I don't see how the Governor avoids a stay-at-home or some dialing back in the Texas Triangle metro areas. Our ICUs can't handle the surge, this won't turn around on its own." - "Houston vaccine scientist: It's time to roll back the reopening to stop the spike in COVID-19 cases," June 23, 2020.
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TX Gov. Greg Abbott (R) (The Hill): "If you do not need to go out, the best advice is still to stay at home. ...The increased occupancy of hospital beds, it does raise concerns, but as shown today, there is no reason right now to be alarmed. Even though there are more people hospitalized, we still remain at the lowest threat level [for occupancy]." - "Texas hits new high for coronavirus cases, hospitalizations," June 16, 2020.
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Lt. Governor Dan Patrick (R) (USA Today): "What I said when I was with you that night is there are more important things than living. And that’s saving this country for my children and my grandchildren and saving this country for all of us. I don’t want to die, nobody wants to die, but man we’ve got to take some risks and get back in the game and get this country back up and running." - "'More important things than living': GOP Texas Lt. Gov. pushes for reopening state," April 21, 2020.
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State Rep. Chris Turner (D) (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal): "The governor is the chief executive of our state. He should be guided by science and make the right decisions no matter how many different places he feels pressure from, and it’s just vitally important that whatever decisions he’s made are in the interests of the public health and are guided by public health experts and not by ideologically driven motivations which seem to be what some of the voices are driven by that [sic] we’re hearing." - "Abbott eases some restrictions in fight against coronavirus," April 16, 2020.
"Infectious disease experts fear coronavirus will spread as more Texas businesses reopen" - Fort Worth Star-Telegram, May 8, 2020
"Here’s how Gov. Abbott can safely reopen the Texas economy" - Dallas Morning News, April 14, 2020
Additional reading
Debate over school closures in Texas
This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on school closures in Texas.
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Dallas Morning News Editorial Board (Dallas Morning News):
"It is understandable why universities haven’t released many details outlining what to expect for fall semester, as much is still being debated; however, they must relay the options they are considering throughout the process rather than once decisions are finalized because students depend on that information to make decisions and move forward. Students need adequate time to evaluate whether those decisions are meeting their own needs and to consider their options, whether that be to continue as usual or take some time off." - "Universities must put students first as they discuss fall semester," June 9, 2020.
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Roy Willey, attorney for Baylor student plaintiff (Waco Tribune-Herald): Schools moving to online instruction during Covid-19 must refund adequate student tuition and fees because of the diminished experience.
"Students and their families have prepaid tuition and fees for services, access to facilities and experiential education, and the universities and colleges are not delivering those services, access or experiences. Now universities are not delivering those services that students and their families have paid for, and it’s not fair for the universities with multi-million dollar endowments to keep all of the money that students and their families have paid. It is not fair to pass the full burden onto students and their families." - "Baylor student sues over portion of semester lost to pandemic," June 10, 2020.
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Dallas Morning News Editorial (Dallas Morning News): "A pandemic is no time for politics. We urge school leaders to enact clear policies that follow the CDC guidelines. We’re in favor of requiring masks, strict social distancing protocols and health screenings, along with taking kids’ and teachers’ temperatures. Parents and teachers won’t feel comfortable with kids on school campuses unless they have confidence kids will be safe." - "Texas districts shouldn’t send kids back to school without proper protection against COVID-19 - and that includes masks," June 22, 2020.
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Zeph Capo, President - Texas American Federation of Teachers (KSAT): "Texas AFT says a big ‘Hell No’ to what looks like a return to normal in August. We are not in normal times. We won’t sacrifice our members and students for politics." - "Teacher associations in Texas say ‘hell no’ to education official’s plans to reopen campuses in fall," June 18, 2020.
"El Paso Teachers Have Concerns Over Returning During Coronavirus" - El Paso Times, June 5, 2020
Additional reading
Debate over religious service restrictions in Texas
This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on religious service restrictions in Texas.
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Governor Greg Abbott (R) (KHOU 11): Governor Greg Abbott said churches were capable of implementing measures to protect their congregations from the virus without state intervention, but he encouraged virtual services.
"I’m unaware of a church that would want its constituents, its parishioners, to be exposed to COVID-19, and I think there’s enough public information right now for them to be aware of the practices that are needed to make sure that their members don’t contract COVID-19." - "Mayor Turner on governor allowing some church services: 'If the building's on fire, don't go into the building'," April 1, 2020.
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Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (D) (KHOU 11): Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he thought allowing church services could put people at risk.
"If you're engaging in socializing, hugging, hand-clapping, sitting next to one another, then you are putting yourself in harm's way. I don't care who tells you to go in there. Exercise some common sense." - "Mayor Turner on governor allowing some church services: 'If the building's on fire, don't go into the building'," April 1, 2020.
Debate over election policy in Texas
This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on election policies in Texas.
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District Judge Fred Biery (CNN): District Judge Fred Biery ruled that voters who "lack immunity from Covid-19 and fear infection at polling places" qualify for the disability clause in Texas' vote-by-mail qualification rules.
"The Court finds such fear and anxiety is inextricably intertwined with voters' physical health. Such apprehension will limit citizens' rights to cast their votes in person. The Court also finds that lack of immunity from Covid-19 is indeed a physical condition." - "Federal judge rules Texans afraid of catching Covid-19 can vote by mail," May 20, 2020.
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Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa (Austin American-Statesman): The Texas Democratic Party filed a federal lawsuit to make absentee voting available to anyone social distancing. Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said having to vote in person would jeopardize the health of people under 65 who could not obtain a mail ballot.
"As our city and county leaders issue shelter-in-place orders and our residents are urged to stay inside, we must protect Texans’ ability to cast a ballot without jeopardizing their health or safety." - "Texas Democrats sue to expand mail-in voting during coronavirus pandemic," April 7, 2020.
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Governor Greg Abbott (R) (The Dallas Morning News): Governor Greg Abbott said people had a right to vote in-person, so he would not mandate absentee voting.
"I do not want to take away the law that provides the right of people to vote in person." - "Amid coronavirus fear, mail-in votes could be key in July primary runoffs, November election," April 3, 2020.
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Joyce LeBombard, past president of the League of Women Voters’ Austin area chapter (Texas Tribune): "It’s my right to go vote. It's not a privilege. It’s my right. It’s my duty. I feel it’s really unfair the state is trying to force me to make that kind of decision of giving up voting so I don’t put my family at risk versus going and putting my family at risk." - "Coronavirus fears postponed a Texas election. Now it will go forward with even greater risk for some voters.," June 22, 2020.
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Brownsville Herald Editorial Board (Brownsville Herald): "Texas has some unfinished business with regard to our spring elections, and county officials can help ease possible crowding — and lingering fears that voting might expose people to the coronavirus — by expanding early voting options." - "Safe voting: Counties should consider adding early polling sites," June 12, 2020.
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Texas Supreme Court (Texas Courts): "We agree with the State that a voter’s lack of immunity to COVID-19, without more, is not a ‘disability’ as defined by the Election Code. ... We conclude that a lack of immunity to COVID-19 is not itself a “physical condition” for being eligible to vote by mail within the meaning of § 82.002(a)." - "In Re State of Texas on Petition for Mandamus NO. 20-0394," May 27, 2020.
"Drive-thrus and free pencils: Texas plans for July elections with in-person voting" - The Texas Tribune, April 20, 2020
Additional reading
Click the links below for more on responses to the coronavirus pandemic in Texas.
- Changes to election dates and procedures
- Statewide stay-at-home order
- Statewide travel restrictions
- Executive orders
- Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus
- Enacted legislation
- Legislative session changes
- School closures
- Court closures
- Prison inmate release responses
- Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies
General resources
The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.
Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
- U.S. Department of Education
- World Health Organization
- Trends in Number of COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in the US Reported to CDC, by State/Territory
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations, Our World in Data (Number of vaccines administered)
- Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker, New York Times (Progress of vaccine trials)
See also
- Ballotpedia: Political responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
- State government responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
- Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021
- Changes to ballot measure campaigns, procedures, and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2022
- Ballotpedia's elections calendar
Footnotes
