[Name],
Governor Abbott’s extension of a disaster declaration is an abuse of the state’s police powers. There is no epidemic. An epidemic is a disease beyond the normal range. About 29 million people live in Texas. Flu season is approximately from October to March. 2017-2018. 10,000 people died from the flu in Texas compared to 2637 from Covid-19. In Bexar County the population is approx. 2 million. Flu deaths for the 2017-2018 season were 394. Covid-19 deaths are 130. There is no epidemic.
Health care facilities are operating below capacity and 200 health care workers have been furloughed in Bexar County.
The governor has extended his authority for a disaster declaration. He is not king. Laws come from the legislature and robust debate. Ask for a special session and oppose the governor’s orders. The orders do not have the force of law. Many people are harmed with the masks, distancing, and so forth. Stop the madness.
Thank you,
Karen Early
San Antonio
Sources
2,637 died as July 5 https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2020/texas-coronavirus-cases-map/
10,000 Texans killed from flu 2017-2018 https://www.chron.com/local/prognosis/article/Texas-toll-Flu-killed-nearly-10-000-this-season-13025291.php
Oct. 1, 2017 and Jan. 31, 2018
Of those, at least 394 died in Bexar County, according to state data given to San Antonio’s Metro Health System. Most of the deaths were in residents 65 years or older, and fewer than 10 deaths were recorded in residents between the ages of 0 and 4.
130 dead Covid-19 https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Bexar-County-reports-eight-new-COVID-19-deaths-15387641.php July 5, 2020
‘A 3 percent workforce reduction at Baptist hospitals means nearly 200 employees will temporarily lose their jobs.
Baptist owns five hospitals in San Antonio and one hospital in New Braunfels, and operates eight smaller facilities — “micro hospitals” — with Emerus, based in the Houston area’. https://www.expressnews.com/business/health-care/article/San-Antonio-s-Baptist-Health-System-furloughs-15203518.php