From our very first introduction to coronavirus, experts have been warning us to fear the “second wave”.
That’s because we understand how viruses in general operate, even if we don’t yet have any secret weapons against this one. We understand that people will eventually grow tired of the stringent social distancing, and they’ll get loose with it, and then the virus spikes.
The plan was to beat it back hard enough during the first go-round that this second wave would arrive as little more than a whimper. This is unfortunately not the case.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday that the state will pause any further reopening as it continues to report record increases in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations.
Businesses that were permitted to open under the previous phases can continue to operate at the designated occupancy outlined by the Texas Department of State Health Services, according to statement from Abbott’s office.
“The last thing we want to do as a state is go backwards and close down businesses. This temporary pause will help our state corral the spread until we can safely enter the next phase of opening our state for business,” Abbott said in the release.
The alarming trends have prompted several local officials to publicly consider mandating the wearing of face masks – something that has been vehemently opposed by some truly interesting characters.
