PANDORA'S COVID-19 GENIE IS OUT OF THE BOX

Special to El Run-Rrun

Well, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and all those "quick-opening" agitators are now trying their best to close the Pandora's Box they so blithely and glibly championed as a ruse and pretended that the whole virus crisis was just a big scare.

But now, with the virus epidemic here in full bloom, they are now seeing beaches, banks, schools, restaurants, government offices and other businesses shut down as infection and fatalities soar beyond control.

Texas has the dubious distinction of reporting five straight days of record positive cases and hospitalizations.

"Abbott says that he is “concerned, but not alarmed” about the continuing rise in COVID-19 infections and deaths in Texas because there are still plenty of hospital beds available," commented one of our readers. 

"The fact that numbers are rising indicates 'no real need to ratchet back the opening of businesses in the state.'” 

"The real message is that those of us fortunate enough to have health insurance, in a state with the highest number of uninsured residents in the nation, are assured a place to be treated and to possibly die.

"Is that why many of us are acting as though there’s nothing to worry about? Because if we become ill there will be a hospital bed waiting for us or the person we infect? Is that why we fail to social distance, to wear masks, and to avoid large gatherings? Abbott’s reckless attitude, his lack of centralized and proactive leadership mandating precautionary measures for all, and shows a his cynical disregard for the well-being of those who do not stuff his campaign coffers."

People whose relatives have died can't say a proper farewell at a funeral home and some are opting to have outside private ceremonies with proper social distancing in the blistering heat. And some business that opened are now reconsidering as the pandemic is in full swing on both sides of the Rio Grande. Tamaulipas, our neighbor, is one of the highest Mexican states with the virus.

And even as entire staffs in some departments have been sent home for testing and observation, Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino –  until the U.S. State Department extended the non-essential travel ban to Mexico and Canada for another month today – had been calling for the reopening of the border citing declining revenues at the county's international bridges.

On the Brownsville side, Mayor Trey Mendez said that he cannot make facial coverings mandatory, he cannot impose curfew, and he cannot lock down the city because the Governor’s orders supersede his and Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr’s. 

He added he fully comprehends the economic impact and the necessity for people to go back to work, but is must be done safely. 

“This does not mean we are back to normal. Continued increases in movement and occupancy of businesses will lead to more cases,” he wrote. “I’ve said and done just about everything I could to stress the seriousness of this virus and the urgency and importance of protecting yourselves. Be safe out there.”

Constable deputies have also been affected and a request for a funeral escort request to Pct. 2  Constable Abel Gomez could not be serviced because of staff shortages causes by the spreading virus. Gomez has also been tested and is awaiting his results. 

"This thing is all over," Gomez said. "I would help them out if I could, but our staff is stretched thin."

Trevino was urging that border be opened even as bailiffs in the courts are testing positive and have to be sent home and the county building at Harrison Street is dark and gloomy like a mausoleum as staff members stay home as a precaution. And what about the judges?

At the building on Levee Street, the entire staff at the county clerk's office was sent to be tested. It stands to reason that anyone inside the building could come in contact with the disease.

But so far there has been no closing of the buildings entirely. Some cases involving county employees infecting family members have already been reported and some fear that children or pregnant family members or relatives might come into contact with county employees who have tested positive and have been sent home.

Just yesterday an elderly man had breakfast with friends at a local restaurant and when he drove back home, was unable to exit his vehicle. When he was finally found, he was slumped over inside with a temperature hovering over 100 degrees.

"Then when the ambulance took him to Valley Baptist Hospital in Brownsville, the staff could not test him for COVID-19 because they did not have a testing kit there," said a family friend. "They had to take X-rays and develop them overnight before they could tell. Imagine that! A hospital that can't test you for COVID-19!"

There has been much criticism of the time it takes for COVID-1 testing by the City of Brownsville at the Sports Park. Not only must you exhibit symptoms of the virus, but you also must get a note from your doctor to be tested. UTRGV-Brownsville is said to test and has the results in 24 hours. Why such a difference?

To add fuel to the fire, the comments by P.A. Eder Hernandez on social media doesn't help. After Chili's was closed because of suspected infection. He is in charge of the COVID-19 drive-thru testing center at the Brownsville Sports Park.

He posted a comment claiming it was the first take-out case he had seen. And what if it is not proven to have been the take out? What good does exposing the city to this liability accomplish?

Pandora opened a jar left in her care containing sickness, death and many other unspecified evils which were then released into the world.

Though she hastened to close the container, only one thing was left behind – usually translated as Hope, though it could also have the pessimistic meaning of "deceptive expectation."

As Abbott and other public officials scurry to close the COVID-19 Box, it is clear that the evil has already gotten away from them. We have been left to our own devices.