Here Is Your Friday COVID-19 Update For Hays County
Corridor Staff
The status of most county offices is listed below the daily COVID stats.
Offices, lobbies, and courts within the Hays County system are in varying stages of reopening to the public as they navigate this new world with COVID-19.
………………….How to read this graphicWhile many offices were closed during April and May, staff continued working to help you take care of your business with the County.
Visit the individual office web page on the county website at https://hayscountytx.com.
Below the daily stats, you will find the status of county offices/lobbies/courts and contact information. Please contact the specific office or court directly if you have any questions.
All members of the public entering county buildings should wear face coverings and maintain a distance of six feet between
themselves and others who are not in their
own family.
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*For specific information on days, times and services for county offices, and additional information on COVID-19 in Hays County see below.
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COVID-19 Testing
Free COVID-19 testing is currently available for uninsured, underinsured, and indigent residents of Hays County. See more information here.
Hays County is working with its long-standing partners, Premiere ER and CommuniCare, to establish additional permanent COVID-19 testing sites that will be free for any Hays County resident.
Beginning September 3, testing will be available every Wednesday from 1-5 p.m. at the CommuniCare facility in Wimberley (203 Stillwater Rd #6). The Kyle CommuniCare location (2810 Dacy Ln.) will be open for free COVID-19 testing every Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
You do not have to be experiencing symptoms. If you want a test, you’ll need to call ahead to secure an appointment time because the number of tests will be limited each day. The phone numbers will be provided prior to the opening dates.
More information about other locations and times will be shared as soon as it is available.
Click here to find other testing locations throughout Hays County; many of which accept private insurance. There are a few walk-in/drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites in Hays County. Some sites, which follow CDC guidelines for testing, may require a physician referral to be tested. Contact your medical provider or the Hays County hotline for further instructions, 512.393.5525.
If you are not exhibiting symptoms but still would like to get tested, for example, because you were exposed to someone with a positive result, contact the Hays County Local Health Department at 512.393.5525.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is offering free COVID-19 testing at locations around the state. You can also Visit the TDEM website for information on testing locations in the Central Texas area. From August 24-30, TDEM will offer free testing at San Marcos High School from
If you are concerned you have been exposed to coronavirus, contact your healthcare provider or the Hays County Local Health Department at 512.393.5525 to discuss your exposure risk. If you are experiencing moderate to severe symptoms, you may be directed to your health care provider or local hospital emergency room. The Hays County Local Health Department has a monitoring protocol in place which will be explained to you if your symptoms warrant it.
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READ THE COVID-19 FACT SHEET
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- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
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LATEST HAYS COUNTY COVID-19
*UPDATE ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, AT 2:50 PM
* Disclaimer: As this is a fast-moving situation, the information included below is provisional and subject to change.
*If listed as NR, the latest information has not been released by Hays County; the table will be updated when the data is available.
SPECIAL NOTE: Hays County’s Coronavirus case and demographic stats are only reported Monday – Friday.
| HAYS | AUG. 20, 2020 | AUG. 21, 2020 |
| TOTAL TESTS (includes pending cases) | 28,547 | |
| NEW DAILY TESTS (*provisionary) | 82 | 151 |
| TOTAL LAB CONFIRMED (*provisionary) | 5,230 | 5,250 |
| ACTIVE (*provisionary) | 2,452 | 2,425 |
| NEW DAILY CONFIRMED | 20 | 20 |
| TOTAL RECOVERED | 2,733 | 2,780 |
| DAILY RECOVERED | 84 | 47 |
| FATALITIES | 45 | 45 |
| NEGATIVE (*provisionary) | 23,287 | 23,411 |
| TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS | 132 | 134 |
| CURRENT HOSPITALIZATIONS | 18 | 20 |
HAYS COUNTY DAILY CHANGE IN NEW CASES PER CITY
*Hays County Public Health updates the following information Monday – Friday only
| CITY | TOTAL CASES | ACTIVE CASES | RECOVERED | FATALITIES |
| AUSTIN | 48 | 27 | 20 | 1 |
| BEAR CREEK | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| BUDA | 708 | 350 | 354 | 4 |
| CREEDMOOR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DRIFTWOOD | 36 | 19 | 17 | 0 |
| DRIPPING SPRINGS | 89 | 67 | 21 | 1 |
| HAYS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| KYLE | 1,643 | 870 | 760 | 13 |
| MANCHACA | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| MAXWELL | 9 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| MOUNTAIN CITY | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 |
| NIEDERWALD | 30 | 0 | 30 | 0 |
| SAN MARCOS | 2,565 | 1,043 | 1,499 | 23 |
| UHLAND | 17 | 11 | 6 | 0 |
| WIMBERLEY | 85 | 27 | 57 | 1 |
| WOODCREEK | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 5,250 | 2,425 | 2,780 | 45 |
HAYS COUNTY POSITIVE TEST BY AGE AND GENDER
*Hays County Public Health updates the following information Monday – Friday only
*NOTE: Hays County has recently received a number of testing data that lacked information such as age, gender and/or ethnicity. Due to the lack of information, the Hays County Age & Ethnicity tables may not add up correctly. Health officials are in the process of contacting patients to fill in the information.
| AGE RANGE | FEMALE | MALE | TOTAL |
| 0-9 YEARS | 96 | 86 | 182 |
| 10-19 YEARS | 246 | 189 | 435 |
| 20-29 YEARS | 1,031 | 1,012 | 2,043 |
| 30-39 YEARS | 463 | 423 | 886 |
| 40-49 YEARS | 348 | 293 | 641 |
| 50-59 YEARS | 255 | 236 | 491 |
| 60-69 YEARS | 171 | 132 | 303 |
| 70-79 YEARS | 89 | 90 | 179 |
| > 80 YEARS | 44 | 46 | 90 |
| TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES | 2,743 | 2,507 | 5,250 |
HAYS COUNTY DRILL DOWN OF ETHNICITY & GENDER
*Hays County Public Health updates the following information Monday – Friday only
*NOTE: Hays County has recently received a number of testing data that lacked information such as age, gender and/or ethnicity. Due to the lack of information, the Hays County Age & Ethnicity tables may not add up correctly. Health officials are in the process of contacting patients to fill in the information.
| ETHNICITY | FEMALE | MALE | TOTAL | % OF CASES |
| HISPANIC | 1,231 | 1,104 | 2,335 | 44.5% |
| NON-HISPANIC | 485 | 471 | 956 | 18.2% |
| NOT SPECIFIED | 1,027 | 932 | 1,959 | 37.3% |
| TOTAL | 2,743 | 2,507 | 5,250 | 100% |
HAYS COUNTY DRILL DOWN BY RACE
*Hays County Public Health updates the following information Monday – Friday only
| RACE | PERCENTAGE OF CASES |
| AMERICAN INDIAN | 0% |
| ASIAN | 0.50% |
| BLACK | 2.0% |
| NATIVE HAWAIIAN / PACIFIC ISLANDER |
0% |
| WHITE | 60.8% |
| NOT SPECIFIED / UNKNOWN |
36.7% |
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LATEST TEXAS COVID-19 CASE TOTALS
*UPDATED ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, AT 3:30 PM
Disclaimer: COVID-19 is a fast-moving situation, the information included below is provisional and subject to change. All Texas data below is provisional and subject to change.* These numbers are an estimate based on several assumptions related to hospitalization rates and recovery times, which were informed by data available to date. These assumptions are subject to change as we learn more about COVID-19. The estimated number does not include data from any cases reported prior to 3/24/2020.
*If listed as NR, the latest information has not been released/reported by state agencies; the table will be updated when the data is available.
| STATE OF TEXAS | AUG. 20, 2020 | AUG. 21, 2020 |
| TOTAL TESTED (*up to date) |
4,937,231 | 5,004,384 |
| TOTAL MOLECULAR TESTS (*runs a day behind) |
4,547,069 | 4,580,026 |
| TOTAL ANTIBODY TESTS (*runs a day behind) |
335,184 | 338,016 |
| TOTAL ANTIGEN TESTS (*runs a day behind) |
18,883 |
19,189 |
| POSITIVITY RATE (*runs a day behind) | 14.13% (*as of Aug. 19) |
14.38% (*as of Aug. 20) |
| TOTAL POSITIVE CASES REPORTED | 562,559 | 567,580 |
| ACTIVE (*provisionary) | 119,806 | 117,704 |
| NEW CASES FROM PRIOR DAY (*provisionary) | 4,923 | 4,651 |
| TOTAL RECOVERED (*provisionary) | 431,960 | 438,825 |
| TOTAL RECOVERED OVER PAST 24 HOURS (*provisionary) | 7,275 | 6,865 |
| CURRENT HOSPITALIZATIONS (*provisionary) | 5,635 | 5,566 |
| TOTAL FATALITIES (*provisionary) | 10,793 | 11,051 |
| FATALITIES OVER PAST 24 HOURS (*provisionary) | 234 | 258 |
| COUNTIES REPORTING CASES | 251 of 254 | 251 of 254 |
| COUNTIES REPORTING FATALITIES | 213 of 254 | 217 of 254 |
| FEMALE | 33.7% | 33.7% |
| MALE | 64.1% | 64.1% |
| UNKNOWN | 2.2% | 2.2% |
| ASIAN | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| BLACK | 15.9% | 15.9% |
| HISPANIC | 39.8% | 39.8% |
| OTHER | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| WHITE | 28% | 28.1% |
| UNKNOWN | 14.3% | 14.2% |
NOTE: Case and fatality information is updated daily at 1 pm and is compiled from information reported publicly by local health departments and through the DSHS public health regions. Counts are current as of that morning.
Because some jurisdictions report cases later in the day, local numbers may be more up to date. County case numbers may occasionally go down if the case investigation determines the person is a resident of another county or state.
Testing numbers show the number of test results for Texas residents reported to DSHS by public health and private labs. They do not include pending tests. Additional testing may be occurring by labs not yet reporting all results to DSHS. Unable to deduplicate total test numbers for private labs.
Demographic data comes from completed case investigations. The majority of cases in Texas are still under investigation.
Hospitalization and hospital capacity numbers are reported daily by hospitals through eight Hospital Preparedness Program providers that coordinate health care system preparedness and response activities in Texas.
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U.S. & WORLDWIDE CORONAVIRUS CASE OVERVIEW
*UPDATED ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, AT 4:07 AM
*Disclaimer: This data is provisional and the situation changes rapidly and might not reflect some cases still being reported.
| CASES REPORTED | CASES PER 1M PEOPLE |
RECOVERED | FATALITIES | |
| U.S. CASE OVERVIEW | 5,587,397 | 16,954 | 2,852,221 | 174,137 |
| WORLDWIDE CASE OVERVIEW | 22,589,017 | 2,905 | 14,457,309 | 792,475 |
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REOPENING OF COUNTY OFFICES
Updated Monday, August 21
SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY CASH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ECAP)
The ECAP Fund is designed for those small businesses located in Hays County that are struggling to sustain operations due to the COVID-19 health crisis and were unable to secure assistance via the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan through the CARES Act or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program through the US Small Business Administration.
The ECAP fund, which was initiated by the Hays County Commissioners Court, is a collaboration between the County, the City of Kyle, PeopleFund, and the Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP).
The fund will provide a grant of up to $10,000 to qualifying businesses on a first-come, first-served basis. The loan agency PeopleFund, a nonprofit community lender, will manage the application process.
Learn more about the program on the GSMP website.
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DOING BUSINESS WITH COUNTY OFFICIES
Offices, lobbies, and courts within the Hays County system are in varying stages of reopening to the public as we navigate this new world with COVID-19. While many offices were closed during April and May, staff continued working to help you take care of your business with the County. See how County staff are working to continue serving our residents.
Please visit the web page of the office you need to contact for additional information. They are located at https://hayscountytx.com.
Below is a quick status of office/lobbies/courts as of August 14. Please contact the office or court directly if you have any questions.
All members of the public entering County buildings should wear face coverings and maintain a distance of six feet between themselves and others who are not in their own family.
COUNTY CLERK
All Hays County Clerk’s office locations are assisting customers by appointment only for Marriage License issuance and Birth/Death certificate issuance.
The clerk’s office will continue to offer other services by E-Record, E-file, mail, fax, telephone, and email. The county has reported that all offices have been professionally disinfected, staff have been quarantined for the recommended time from the CDC, and have been tested with no additional positive tests at this time.
Appointments available with the following guidelines:
- Face masks must be worn the entire time in the office.
- Only applicants are allowed in the lobby; no one else, including children, may enter.
- No same-day appointments.
*COUNTY COURT AT LAW
- Judge, County Court-at-Law, 1, Robert Updegrove
- Judge, County Court-at-Law, 2 Chris Johnson
- Judge, County Court-at-Law, 3, Tacie Zelhart
This office has remained open to serve all litigants and the citizens of Hays County. As Ordered by the Supreme Court of Texas and the state Office of Court Administration, during the pandemic, hearings were held remotely via teleconference.
This Court continues to have hearings via teleconference. In-person hearings will commence on June 1. The lobby is open. They request everyone to call before entering, if possible, at 512.393.7625 or email ccal@co.hays.tx.us to set a court date or receive additional information.
ELECTIONS OFFICE
Currently, the Elections Office is open to the public. The County Election Office is located at the Hays County Government Center at 712 South Stagecoach Trail.
For more information call 512.393.7310 or email them at elections@co.hays.tx.us
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OFFICES
- Justice of the Peace 1-1, Judge Prado
Judge Prado’s office is open. Reach out by phone at 512-393-7871. - Justice of the Peace 1-2, Judge Moreno
Judge Moreno’s office is open. Visit the JP1-2 website to make payments online or get more information regarding this office. Reach out by phone at 512-393-7871. - Justice of the Peace 2, Judge Smith
No jury trials are taking place until August 1. Some cases have been held virtually and our office will continue to have virtual hearings until in-person hearings are approved. Reach out by phone at 512.268.3151. - Justice of the Peace 3, Judge Cable
This office has remained open. The hours are Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to noon. Reach out by phone at 512.847.2000 - Justice of the Peace 4 – Judge Burns
JP-4 office is open and you can reach them at 512-858-7446.
Effective immediately, and until further notice, all hearings and bench trials in Justice Court 4 will be heard by Zoom conference. By order of the Texas Supreme Court, jury trials may not be held until August 1, 2020, at the earliest. - Justice of the Peace 5, Judge Cary
The JP-5 in Buda is open M-F, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and you can reach the office at 512-295-2700.
Note
Hays County Courts and District Courts recognize the need to ensure the health and safety of litigants, attorneys, visitors, court staff, judges, and other individuals entering the buildings housing the courts.
Therefore, the courts of Hays County have implemented a series of protective measures. The full list can be found on the county’s website.
PRECINCT OFFICES
- County Judge — Staff is available to answer the phones, and the judge is continuing to hold meetings, as much as is feasible, through phone or digital platforms. You can reach the office at 512-393-2205.
- Pct. 1, Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe — Staff is available to answer the phone but Commissioner Ingalsbe is continuing to hold meetings, through phone or digital platforms as well as in person. Please contact her office to schedule appointments. You can reach the office at 512-393-2243.
- Pct. 2, Commissioner Mark Jones — Staff is available to answer the phone, but Commissioner Jones is continuing to hold meetings, as much as possible, through phone or digital platforms. You can reach the office at 512-262-2091.
- Pct. 3, Commissioner Lon Shell — Staff is available to answer the phone, but Commissioner Shell is continuing to hold meetings, as much as possible, through phone or digital platforms. You can reach the office at 512-847-3159.
- Pct. 4, Commissioner Walt Smith — Staff is available to answer emails and Commissioner Smith is continuing to hold meetings, as much as possible, through phone or digital platforms. You can reach the office at 512-858-7268.
TAX OFFICES
All County tax offices are open to the public*. At the Government Center, individuals will queue in the hallway outside the Tax Office.
If the line extends to the main hallway, deputies will ask those persons to wait outside until they are called back in. A similar approach will be implemented at the precinct offices.
The drive-thru at the Government Center in San Marcos is back to normal operating hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. You can reach the Tax Office at 512.393.5545.
NOTE: *The Dripping Springs Tax Office will close daily between the hours of 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. until further notice.
DOING BUSINESS REMOTELY WITH TAX OFFICE
Vehicle Registration Renewals
- Renew online www.texas.gov
- Mail to 712 S. Stagecoach Trl, Ste. 1120, San Marcos, TX 78666
- Dropboxes (located at all Tax Office locations)
- HEB (NOT expired more than 1 month) – must have a renewal notice, valid ID, insurance & inspection
- Drive-Thru in San Marcos
Disability Placards & Timed Permits
- Mail to 712 S. Stagecoach Trl, Ste. 1120, San Marcos, TX 78666
- Dropboxes (located at all Tax Office locations)
- Drive-Thru, San Marcos
Title Transfers & New Texas Residents
- Mail to 712 S. Stagecoach Trl, Ste. 1120, San Marcos, TX 78666
- Dropboxes (located at all Tax Office locations)
Property Tax Payments/Services
- Mail to 712 S. Stagecoach Trl, Ste. 1120, San Marcos, TX 78666
- Dropboxes (located at all Tax Office locations)
- Pay by phone at 1-888-546-4337 (Have your quick Reference ID available – fees apply)
- Online at www.hayscountytax.com (fees apply)
- Drive-Thru, San Marcos
RESOURCES
Resources for Persons Affected by COVID-19. If you need food, funds, mental health support, a job, etc., take a look at this list of area resources. It includes info for small businesses and nonprofits, as well. Additional information from Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area for Jobseekers and Employers is also available.
LOCAL & STATE ORDERS
- On April 27, Governor Abbott issued an Executive Order and on the phased opening of Texas businesses, effective May 1.
- On April 17 Governor Abbott issued an Executive Order on taking the first steps to reopen Texas businesses
- April 6, 2020, CDC Recommendations on Public Use of Cloth Face Masks
- On April 2, 2020, the Governor’s Statewide Executive Order on COVID-19 went into effect.
COVID-19 HOTLINE — 512.393.5525
This hotline is for answers to health questions about COVID-19 — safety practices, symptoms, quarantining, testing, etc. Operators cannot answer questions about the Stay at Home Order and Curfew, or other general questions.
Fact Sheet in English & Español
SNAP AND MEDICAID INFORMATION
Renewal requirements for SNAP & Medicaid temporarily waived.
Find out more about COVID-19 treatment and prevention in English. Información en español para la prevención y tratamiento de la Enfermedad del Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
BEWARE SCAMS AND PRICE-GOUGING
Hays County provided information about possible scams and price gouging during the pandemic.
**FRAUDULENT COVID-19 HOME TEST**
The FDA is warning citizens about fraudulent COVID-19 Home Test Kits. More on test kits here.
SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19
There is no special treatment for COVID-19, nor is there a vaccine at this time. The virus is not a flu virus, so doctor-prescribed treatments for flu-like Tamiflu are of no use.
The best-known treatment at this time is to take a fever-reducing medication containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and to self-isolate, until you have been fever-free for 72 hours (recently increased from 48 hours) WITHOUT the use of fever-reducing medications.
Most people who contract COVID-19 have a reaction similar to a mild to moderate case of Flu and do not necessarily need to see a doctor unless their symptoms worsen.
A fever that spikes to 104 degrees, or shortness of breath, are symptoms that may need medical attention and you should call your healthcare provider or emergency room.
The most at-risk populations include the elderly and persons with compromised immune systems.
Most medical offices are requesting that you call before coming in if you believe you might have COVID-19. If you are experiencing significant shortness of breath you may be directed to a hospital emergency room.
The Hays County Local Health Department, which does NOT do testing for COVID-19, works with area hospitals to determine availability at hospitals for those who are sickest.
- Do you think you’ve been exposed to coronavirus?
- Are you experiencing symptoms?
COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds several times a day, including between your fingers and underneath your nails. Handwashing is considered the best way to remove germs and dirt, and hand sanitizers should be used only when handwashing is not available. The hand sanitizers should be at least 60 percent alcohol to be effective.
- Avoid handshaking and high-fives.
- Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you feel sick.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue then put the tissue in the trash, or use the crook of your elbow if a tissue isn’t available.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household disinfectant cleaning spray or wipe. Clean cell and desk phones, computer keyboards, door handles, and work surfaces often.
- Avoid travel to areas that have been designated high-risk areas because of multiple verified cases of Corona.
- Wear a mask or face covering when in public places.
HELPFUL LINKS:
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READ THE COVID-19 FACT SHEET
When is the end? What metric is guiding our decision-making process? These are serious questions. I ask because I don’t know and doubt it has received much (if any) consideration from our elected officials. Yet at the same time I do know they refuse to follow the lead of other cities in our area, namely New Braunfels who appears to have returned to a sense of normalcy.
I am sick of it. My patience is gone. I no longer care. I will no longer pretend to support this charade. Texas shutdown in mid-March when VP Pence asked for “14 Days to Slow the Spread.” That quickly became a month, 45 days, and on into a never-ending loop of fear. I want out. I demand out.
I retired from the military after serving 20 years on active-duty Air Force. My retirement orders clearly state that I am subject to recall at the discretion of the SecAF. This is despite a VA rating that qualifies me for DV plates. Do I worry about recall? Yes, I do. I see our adversaries pushing the boundaries. They are testing us. I would not be surprised if China goes offensive within the next 10 years. Will we be ready? Maybe, maybe not. But if I am right, my VA rating will not be enough for them to skip over my skills.
As such, I must maintain a level of mental & physical fitness. It is the right thing to do to honor the orders, benefits, and pension. But the gyms were closed and still remain restricted. Fitness across the nation fell. Heart attack patients stopped reporting to hospitals. We mandate masks in areas designed to test our capabilities. Texas State cancels courses and moves them all online. We sit and stare at screens all day like something out of a bad PIXAR movie. Students are denied the education and mentorship they paid for. Texas State is very happy to cash the checks, but fails to deliver on the promise. Why? The perceived need to comply and Fear.
It is an irrational fear. According to Worldometer COVID tracking, 48.7% of COVID related deaths are in patients over the age of 75. Dropping that to 65 accounts for nearly 75% of all deaths. As a matter of fact the 0-44 age group represents less than 4% of COVID fatalities. And 75% of all terminal cases had at least one known underlying condition. Texas State students are not at risk from COVID. Our parents aren’t at serious risk either. But the school, city, county, and state are actively denying you the life you deserve.
My children deserve better too. Along with everything else, the parks were closed in Spring. However, at some point over the summer the parks were reopened. Good. Awesome. Our kids need exercise, the social support of friends, and good ole fashion UV rays. These are all known to boost immunity.
Unfortunately, the city “opened” the parks while barricading the playgrounds. They have even moved to install more permanent fencing around Children’s Park and the River. Why? It isn’t a state requirement. New Braunfels parks, playgrounds, and splashpads are all open. Even the military (possibly the most risk averse segment of society) has recognized the need for play. But not San Marcos. Its a prison.
Some will say that I must be a horrible person for not caring about the health and welfare of others. Okay, and…? I don’t expect you to care about my family either. I recognize that charity begins at home. We will help were & when we can, but we will not imperil ourselves for your benefit. This thought process is backed by the Red Cross and Supreme Court of the United States. Make sure the scene is safe first. But recognize the obligation to respond is only a moral one. There is no legal requirement.
However, it has been six months since I have seen my sister. She is in a long-term women’s nursing home. At first, I kept my distance out of respect for the process. Still, as the infection numbers declined, I asked what their policy is. They continue to deny visitation. The nurses said the state is watching very closely. Why? Are we sure grandma is okay not seeing her family? Is this the life they want? I doubt it. We should respect them enough to honor their wishes.
Finally, there are the free speech and faith arguments. The SCOTUS has routinely found fashion is a fundamental right. What you wear or don’t, assuming not obscene, is an expression of free speech. No law can tell any private party how to dress. Otherwise those Stars & Stripes boxers might get you thrown in jail for desecrating Old Glory. Moreover, I don’t believe this is a fight worthy of the time, effort, capital, or familial pain it is causing. We talk about this as if it is a war. Media and VP Pence have called it this generation’s WWII moment (Huh? No.), and as such I claim Conscientious Objector status. CO is normally reserved for wartime military service, but the definition has been expanded to include deeply held personal convictions. I served in the military. I offered up my life in defense of the U.S. Constitution. I am thankful that my check was not cashed. Yet there are countless others that were not so fortunate.
I believe the actions of our government have become a threat to liberty. I do not see how a 14-day emergency order can be indefinitely extended without explanation or a clear way out. We are a nation of the People. Governed by the People and for the People. Popular sovereignty is foundational to our culture. Individuals empowered to pursue their own self-interest and encouraged to achieve their maximum potential. Our government seems to have forgotten that fact. They have stolen our initiative. They refuse to accept any risk. It is our time to take those rights back. Stand up to government and demand a return to adulthood.
So much for the paragraph breaks.