What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
How does it spread?
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. T
he best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure to the virus.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person, and may also be contracted from surfaces.
This means that it is imperative that our residents continue to practice good hygiene by frequently and thoroughly washing hands and disinfecting frequently-used surfaces.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
The severity of symptoms can range from very mild to severe. People who are older or have existing chronic medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, may be at higher risk of serious illness.
While they may be similar to those of other respiratory ailments, f
ever, cough, and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms for COVID-19.
What steps should I take to protect myself?
The best ways you can stop this virus are easy, painless, and are simple enough that we should follow them whether or not a pandemic is taking place:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Regularly use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Clean and disinfect commonly-used surfaces regularly.
- Avoid close contact with people who have been exposed to the virus or who are sick.
Friday, March 20, the first city-administered drive-through testing site was opened to first responders and health care workers. On Saturday, March 21, it will expand to residents 65 and up who exhibit symptoms. After Saturday, testing will be available to high-risk, symptomatic patients.
Residents should not arrive to the testing site without the required pre-screening. Please check the Houston Health Department
site for more information on the pre-screening process and testing sites.
What restrictions are currently in place that I should follow?
Monday, March 16 County Judge Hidalgo and Mayor Turner
announced restrictions on all bars and restaurants
in order to contain this outbreak. Restaurants may offer delivery, pickup, and/or drive-through services, and all bars and clubs are closed. This restriction went into effect Tuesday, March 17 at 8 AM and continues for the next 15 days.
While dine-in service is prohibited for the time being, many restaurants remain open and are ready to serve you. On March 18, Governor Abbott
issued a waiver which temporarily allows restaurants across the state to deliver alcoholic beverages with purchases of food.
It is critical that our community continues to support our locally-owned restaurants during these tough times. I encourage residents to take advantage of the convenient take-out and delivery services being offered by these great businesses.
Tuesday, March 17 Mayor Turner and City Council voted to extend the City's Emergency Health Declaration indefinitely. The Mayor cancelled all city-sponsored and permitted events through the end of April. City Council presentations, which usually occur on Tuesdays, have been suspended through April. Council meetings will be limited to 50 people.
Governor Abbott announced on Thursday, March 19 a series of executive orders that will limit social gatherings to ten people or less; prohibit dine-in service at restaurants and bars (while still allowing takeout); close gyms; limit nursing home visitations; and temporarily close schools.
These executive orders are effective midnight Friday, March 20 through Friday, April 3, with the possibility of an extension. These orders mirror federal guidance.
Is this a lock-down? Where am I allowed to go?
This is not a lock-down. Residents are still free to go to the grocery store or pharmacy, pick up food at restaurants, go to the park, and go for a walk.
Our office advises that residents heed
CDC guidance relating to social-distancing and try to maintain six feet of distance from strangers and to avoid gatherings of ten or more persons.
Is there any financial assistance being offered?
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest
federal disaster loans
for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19.
Also,
President Trump signed legislation on Wednesday that would provide paid sick and family leave for some U.S. workers impacted by the illness, expands unemployment assistance, includes nutrition assistance, and increases resources available for testing.
Following President Trump's emergency declaration pursuant to the Stafford Act, the
U.S. Treasury Department and IRS issued guidance allowing all individual and other non-corporate tax filers to defer up to $1 million of federal income tax (including self-employment tax) payments due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or interest.
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Stay tuned for more updates from my office as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve.
The District G office will continue to remain open and is here to serve the residents as usual. Office staff is working staggered shifts to maximize social-distancing and to ensure day-to-day office needs are attended to during business hours. Please send an email to DistrictG@houstontx.gov or call 832-393-3007 if you are in need of our assistance.
Sincerely,
Greg Travis
