Even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the nation, millions of Americans were either living paycheck to paycheck or below the poverty level. In Harris County, the working poor are amongst the hardest hit by COVID-19. Harris County Commissioners Court took a much-needed first step to help the most vulnerable in our community by approving a $15 million COVID-19 Relief Fund that will provide support for rent, food, medical care, child care and other expenses. If approved by the Harris County Attorney’s Office, the fund will provide direct assistance to county residents who are in the most need.
“Due to the strict and exclusionary guidelines of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, federal support will not reach all residents, especially those who need the most support,” Commissioners Ellis said. “Only by helping the most vulnerable in our community – including students and adults with disabilities who are listed as dependents, undocumented immigrants, domestic violence survivors, people experiencing homelessness and children who have aged out of foster care – will we truly recover from this crisis.”
The Urban Institute estimates that the Houston metro area has lost more than 200,000 low-income jobs. In addition, Commissioners Court Analyst’s Office reports, since March 15, at least 169,308 initial unemployment claims have been filed by county residents. That means approximately 7% of the labor force filed for unemployment over the last four weeks.
“A pandemic response that excludes any members of our communities will weaken its effectiveness,” Commissioner Ellis said. “Our community is only as healthy as our most vulnerable neighbors, including those who are undocumented immigrants. Additionally, undocumented immigrant households in Harris County pay $742 million in federal taxes and $448 million in local and state taxes.”
The hardest hit industries are the accommodation and food services; health care and social assistance; and retail trade – all among the lowest paid in the workforce.
“The Coronavirus pandemic has created both a health and a financial crisis,” Commissioner Ellis said. “Without financial assistance, those who lost their income due to the pandemic have to choose between physical or financial survival.”
This relief fund, which will follow the distribution model created for the Hurricane Harvey Recovery Fund, will be managed by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, which has the knowledge and capacity to administer and coordinate the distribution of the relief fund to all residents through its existing network of nonprofit safety providers.
Governor Greg Abbott today announced the first phase of the State of Texas’ ongoing plan to safely and strategically open Texas while minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Under Phase I, certain services and activities are allowed to open with limited occupancy, and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is issuing minimum standard health protocols for all businesses and individuals to follow. The Governor also outlined special guidance for Texans over 65 and detailed a comprehensive mitigation plan for nursing homes in Texas. The Governor also announced a statewide testing and tracing program developed by DSHS that will help public health officials quickly identify and test Texans who contract COVID-19 and mitigate further spread of the virus.
The Governor’s announcement is accompanied by Texans Helping Texans: The Governor’s Report to Open Texas. This detailed report, available on the strike force website, helps Texans understand phase one by outlining the new protocols, guidance, and recommendations. The report also includes a series of Open Texas Checklists that outline DSHS’ minimum standard health protocols for all Texans.
“This strategic approach to opening the state of Texas prioritizes the health and safety of our communities and follows the guidelines laid out by our team of medical experts,” said Governor Abbott. “Now more than ever, Texans must remain committed to safe distancing practices that reduce the spread of COVID-19, and we must continue to rely on doctors and data to provide us with the safest strategies to restore Texans’ livelihoods. We must also focus on protecting the most vulnerable Texans from exposure to COVID-19. If we remain focused on protecting the lives of our fellow Texans, we can continue to open the Lone Star State.”
By way of Executive Order (GA-18), all retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and malls are permitted to reopen on Friday, May 1. These services must limit their capacity to 25% of their listed occupancy. Within shopping malls, the food-court dining areas, play areas, and interactive displays and settings must remain closed.
All museums and libraries may open under the same 25% occupancy limitation, but interactive areas of museums must remain closed. State libraries and museums will open by May 1, and local public museums and libraries may reopen only if permitted by the local government. Single-person offices may reopen as well.
Churches and places of worship remain open. Outdoor sports are allowed to resume so long as no more than four participants are playing together at one time. Certain social distancing practices must also be followed. Local government operations, including county and municipal government operations relating to permitting, recordation, and document-filing services, may reopen as determined by the local government.
Essential services such as farmers and ranchers, grocery and drug stores, banks, and gas stations will continue to operate. Public swimming pools, bars, gyms, cosmetology salons, massage establishments, interactive amusement venues, such as bowling alleys and video arcades, and tattoo and piercing studios will remain closed through Phase I. Nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, and long-term care facilities must remain closed to visitors unless to provide critical assistance.
The Governor also established increased occupancy protocols for certain counties with five or fewer laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19. Those counties may, on an individualized basis, increase occupancy limits to up to 50% for restaurants, retail, shopping malls, museums and libraries, and movie theaters if they meet certain criteria. The county judge must certify and affirm to DSHS that the following standards have been investigated and confirmed to be met:
The county had five or fewer COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases on April 30, 2020 or, at a later date, five or fewer active COVID-19 cases as verified by DSHS.
The county has created a list of testing opportunities in the county or the area.
The county has been in contact with its designated regional advisory council to ensure the community is prepared for any needed health care transfers.
The county has provided public notice to the residents of the county, including: Signs and symptoms of COVID-19: Recommended health and safety protocols in line with CDC guidance; Information regarding how residents can get tested in the area; A link to the DSHS website where residents can go to learn about community spread in nearby communities, in order to help county residents understand their risk to exposure if they travel regularly outside of the county.
The county has contacted each of the following types of facilities located in the county to ensure they are complying with Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines regarding COVID-19: Nursing homes; Assisted living facilities; Industrial, agricultural, or business facilities with a significant number of employees; and City or county jails.
The county is equipped and prepared to protect vulnerable populations, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
The county has documented procedures to be activated if a resident becomes COVID-19 positive, including procedures to take appropriate measures as necessary in line with the plan to open Texas.
The county has contacted DSHS in order to create a plan to ensure contact tracing will occur within 48 hours of a positive test reported to DSHS.
Phase I will begin Friday May 1 and continue until at least May 18. The Governor will continue to evaluate next steps for the state.
The Governor’s Report to Open Texas also outlines a long-term comprehensive mitigation plan for nursing homes in Texas. Eight recommendations have been developed by HHSC to help mitigate the further spread of COVID-19 and decrease the risk of infection in these facilities. A summary of the recommendations is below, and full recommendations are in the Governor’s report beginning on page 9:
Quantify the extent of infection immediately
Establish a comprehensive mitigation plan
Re-evaluate current COVID-19 positive facilities
Appropriate isolation and placement of COVID-19 patients
Implement enhanced access controls
Enhance control of staff access
Effective notifications
Continue containment efforts
During the press conference, the Governor also announced a new statewide testing and contact tracing program. Developed and implemented by DSHS, this program will help identify individuals who have contracted COVID-19 and those who may need to quarantine or be tested due to potential exposure. This phased implementation will allow Texans to box in the virus and slow, or even stop, further spread. Phase I of the tracing program has been completed, and Phase II begins today. Phase III begins May 11. More details about the contact tracing program are available in the Governor’s Report to Open Texas beginning on page 16.
Governor Abbott today also relaxed certain restrictions related to health care professionals and issued amended requirements related to hospital capacity. Under an Executive Order (GA-19) issued today:
All licensed health care professionals shall be limited in their practice by, and must comply with, any emergency rules promulgated by their respective licensing agencies dictating minimum standards for safe practice during the COVID-19 disaster.
Every hospital licensed under Chapter 241 of the Texas Health & Safety Code shall reserve at least 15% of its hospital capacity for treatment of COVID-19 patients, accounting for the range of clinical severity of COVID-19 patients, as determined by HHSC.
Additionally, the Governor issued an Executive Order (GA-20) to eliminate the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for individuals traveling from Louisiana. Under GA-20, the mandated 14-day quarantine for travelers from the following areas remains in place: California; Connecticut; New York; New Jersey; Washington; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan, and Miami, Florida.
Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Alison Leland and two U.S. Congress members on Saturday unveiled a statue honoring the late Congressman Mickey Leland, a global humanitarian who devoted his life to helping others.
Click here for video of Saturday’s dedication ceremony. Please courtesy the City of Houston Municipal Channel. The speakers – including Congressman Leland’s widow, Alison, and U.S. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green – mentioned the importance of recognizing him during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic that has created food insecurity in the country and also has highlighted the inequalities in the nation’s health care system, especially for the poor and people of color. Congressman Leland, born Nov. 27, 1944, in Lubbock, and 15 others died in a plane crash on Aug. 7, 1989, while on a humanitarian mission to Fugnido, Ethiopia. He served six terms in Congress and six years as a Texas state legislator. He focused his political career on issues such as health and hunger.
Saturday’s ceremony was held in front of the statue that was installed Thursday in Hermann Park on the west plaza of Miller Outdoor Theatre. The project was a partnership between Harris County Precinct One, City of Houston and its Parks and Recreation Department, and Houston First.
The project to erect the statue started in December 2018 when Harris County Commissioners Court, at the request of Commissioner Ellis, approved the sculpture’s creation. In April 2019, Commissioners Court approved a contract with artist Edward “Ed” Joseph Dwight Jr. to create the statue.
Dwight is a groundbreaking African American sculptor and artist. He was also a test pilot in the Air Force and engineer. He made history when he was selected by the Kennedy administration to be the first African American astronaut trainee.
Multiplatinum award-winning Latin superstar Prince Royce has just released the video for “Me Robaste La Vida”, off his latest album, the double disc set ALTER EGO. To watch the video click HERE.
The artistic and minimalistic production is part of a body of work shot by renown director Carlos Perez which includes concept music videos for most of the album’s songs. Each one, captures the unique mood and aesthetic of the song. In the following weeks, Royce will continue to release the videos every other Saturday, as a special gift to the fans of his music. The videos released are being chosen by the fans through social media polls and questions Royce has been posting.
ALTER EGO debuted at #1 in February on the following Billboard charts: Top Latin Albums, Latin Album Sales, and Tropical Albums and it has already been certified 2X Platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for its sales in the United States and Puerto Rico. ALTER EGO had the most successful debut sales week for a Latin album since April 2019 and the first and only #1 debut of the year on the Tropical Albums chart.
The album’s latest single “Carita de Inocente” has been #1 on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart for five consecutive weeksjoining ALTER EGO’s other tracks that have been at the top of the charts, “Morir Solo” also reached #1 on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart, his 6x Platinum hit “El Clavo” was #1 on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart and his 2x Platinum single “Adicto” feat. Marc Anthony, remained at #1 on the Tropical Songs chart for seven consecutive weeks. In addition, his collab with Manuel Turizo, “Cúrame”, has been certified 2x Platinum, it reached #5 on the YouTube Global chart and remained in the Top 5 of the YouTube Global Viral chart for 7 weeks, reaching #3.
ALTER EGO is the only original double album released by a Latin artist in over a decade. Listen to it now by clickingHERE.
ALTER EGO encapsulates a two-year creative journey of musical expression that ends up in a fantastic labyrinth of romance in its different forms of expression. The double album is comprised of “Genesis” and “Enigma”. In “Genesis”, Royce expands upon the sound and influences that kick-started his career, this time with more mature concepts and lyrics, while also experimenting with more traditional elements and switching things up with interesting collabs. In “Enigma”, Royce submerges himself in and experiments with different musical worlds, he takes risks creating more artistic, innovative, non-censored music. The result is a masterpiece that represents the best of all worlds – a powerful Latin (Spanish-language with some English) double album destined to become a classic, where we get to experience a rich musical adventure that includes everything from bachata to urban to pop to R&B.
Prince Royce is a finalist for the 2020 Billboard Awards in the Tropical Artist of the Year category. About Prince Royce In the past 10 years, multi-platinum award-winning, singer/songwriter Prince Royce has become a bona fide Latin superstar, scoring 18 #1 radio hits, 22 Latin Billboard Awards, 19 Premio lo Nuestro Awards, 19 Premios Juventud Awards, 7 Latin AMAs, and 13 Latin GRAMMY nominations.
Royce has a massive fan base with close to 60 million followers on social media and he has sold out many of the most prestigious venues in Latin America and the United States. In February 2019 Prince Royce made history becoming the first and only tropical music artist to perform at the Houston Rodeo at the NRG Stadium where he attracted more than 55,000 euphoric fans. According to Billboard, he is one of the Top Ten Latin artists with most followers on TikTok.
His latest album, the double disc set ALTER EGOdebuted in February 2020 at #1 on the following Billboard charts: Top Latin Albums, Latin Album Sales, and Tropical Albums and it has been certified 2X Platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for its sales in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Some of the artist’s collaborations include: Shakira, Chris Brown, Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, Snoop Dogg, Pitbull, Thalia, Maná, Daddy Yankee, Becky G, Anitta, Ludacris, J Balvin, Bad Bunny, Farruko, and Maluma, among others. Prince Royce has co-starred as Peter in the Fox Live musical broadcast of “The Passion” in 2016 and was part of the cast of Hulu’s hit series, “East Los High”. In 2018, Royce guest-starred in Disney’s “Elena of Avalor: Song of the Sirenas” TV movie, voicing the character of Prince Marzel.
August 9, 2018 was proclaimed “Prince Royce Day” in New York by Mayor Bill de Blasio, in recognition of his contributions to society and for being a role model to youth in his home town. He has been induced into the Bronx Hall of Fame with a street named after him, and ran the New York City Marathon to raise funds and awareness on education in public schools and kidney disease.
Billboard included his 2013 album “Soy El Mismo” in their “50 Best Latin Albums of the Decades” list. Royce’s self-titled debut album is #4 on Billboard’s list of Top Latin Albums of the Decade (2010s) and he has three songs in the Hot Latin Songs of the Decade chart “Darte Un Beso”, “Corazón Sin Cara” and “El Verdadero Amor Perdona” x Mana.
Commissioner Adrian Garcia is announcing the launch of the “Senior Care Facility Task Force” to ensure seniors, who are among the most at-risk during the Coronavirus pandemic, are not forgotten. The group will hold discussions with operators of Precinct 2 senior living facilities and will use this information to present a set of recommendations for how to navigate the current crisis and keep residents and facilities safe. The task force features experts from an array of sectors related to all aspects of crisis management and senior facility care.
The members include: Dr. Raouf R. Arafat (Former Director, City of Houston Office of Surveillance and Public Health Preparedness), Rosalinda Martinez(Associate State Director, Outreach and Advocacy at AARP), Claudia Aguirre (President and CEO, Baker-Ripley), and Michael Moore (Chief of Staff for former Houston Mayor Bill White, and point person for Mayor White for Houston’s response during Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike).
“I am so proud to have some of the area’s brightest minds working with me on the Senior Facility Preparedness Task Force,” Commissioner Garcia said, “we are very concerned about our loved ones who are amongst the most vulnerable living in these residential facilities, as time and time again, we have seen that they can be hotspots for Coronavirus outbreaks. This task force hopes to establish a set of recommendations for the more than 150 locations in Precinct 2 that can then be applied county-wide.”
The members of this task force bring a wealth of experience and insight to senior programming, engagement, epidemic detection/response, and disaster response and recovery. The set of guidelines and recommendations produced by the task force could serve as a framework for other senior care facilities throughout Harris County.
With recent funding from the community and private foundations, such as the Leslie L. Alexander Foundation,Second Servings andHess Corporation are expanding the“Dinner’s On Us” program to provide take-home chef-prepared family meals toall Houstonians in need.
“Serving Houston’s hospitality workers is what inspired the Dinner’s On Us program,” Second Servings Founder Barbara Bronstein said. “However, we’re excited to expand the program to the entire community, thanks to the generous support we’ve received.”
Beginning Thursday, April 23, the “Dinner’s On Us” meals will be available to the public, exclusively on a drive-thru basis. Second Servings’ volunteers will distribute 10,000+ meals weekly, prepared by Hess Corporation’s Food Services team, every Tuesday and Thursday between 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the LAM Parking Lot located at 702 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX, 77003. Distribution will continue for as long as funding allows, and volunteers will adhere to all recommended social distancing protocols.
Please visit secondservingshouston.org/dinnersonus if you would like to support this program financially or to volunteer. The “Dinner’s On Us” Program was created by Second Servings, in partnership with Hess Corporation, BHW Capital, Iberia Bank, ACME Party & Tent Rental, PREFCO Distribution LLC, LAM Parking Lot and Sysco Houston. High-res photos available HERE.
“Dinner’s On Us” Distribution Details
WHAT: Free frozen chef-prepared, family-sized meals for the publicbeginning Thursday, April 23
In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities has launched a food access program for people with disabilities. This program will deliver shelf-stable goods, fresh produce, as well as some basic home necessities for people with disabilities who are finding it difficult to independently secure these items.
“We understand that across our city there are food insecurities,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “I am proud that my office for people with disabilities has set up a program to ensure that Houstonians with disabilities are not left behind during these trying times. I am also grateful for the generous contributions of Walmart, Sam’s Club, the Houston Food Bank, and Metro. Without their support, this program would not be possible.”
“The COVID-19 emergency has disrupted everyone’s daily living routines,” said Gabe Cazares, Director of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. “This is especially true for people with disabilities who are facing additional barriers in our every-day activities. I am proud of our partnerships with major retailers and nonprofits in Houston who have made this initial food drop possible. And we welcome the participation of additional corporate and nonprofit partners to assist us in continuing this program for our disability community.”
To learn more about thee MOPD Food Access Program, including ways to contribute, please visit www.houstontx.gov/disabilities or call 832-394-0814.
Mayor Sylvester Turner and Council Member Abbie Kamin announced a city-wide domestic violence awareness initiative to reach vulnerable populations and provide resources for victims. Local law enforcement and the Houston Area Women’s Center are tracking a rise in domestic violence incidents linked to the crisis.
HPD saw an increase of 8.72% percent in domestic violence calls for service in March compared to February 2020. The Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC) and the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC) are partnering with the City so survivors know service providers are open, ready to help and are taking COVID-19 precautions.
The Mayor also announced a $50,000 grant from Uber to provide ride services to victims of human trafficking and domestic violence who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19’s stay at home order. Uber’s grant expands Mayor Turner’s existing human trafficking COVID-19 response and will assist in launching the city’s new domestic violence response in light of increased reports.
“We cannot tolerate victims suffering in silence while home at the hands of their domestic abusers,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “I want to thank Uber for stepping forward and providing $50,000 in rides to ensure that they have a safe way to move around. I also want to thank HAWC and the HCDVCC who have worked tirelessly during this crisis.”
The city’s and coalition partners’ efforts include: Rolling out a social media campaign designed by HAWC and the HCDVCC featuring safety tips, hotline numbers, and videos by Houston Dash players.HAWC and HCDVCC launching a new website, www.nocovidabuse.org, which contains vital information and resources.Leveraging OEM’s messaging delivery systems to ensure people know the DV service providers are open and are able to help.Partnering with the Houston Food Bank to place DV resource flyers in distributed boxes and bags.HEB will assist with printing flyers for these distributions.Providing $50,000 in Uber rides for human trafficking and domestic violence victims as needed.The city is also helping to address the need for short-term hotel lodging for victims since shelters have to reduce their populations to allow for social distancing. “We may be apart, but victims of domestic violence are not alone. I am grateful to all of our community partners, and our law enforcement agencies, for working together with us to reach as many people as possible,” said Councilmember Abbie Kamin. “We also call on all residents to be aware, to be vigilant, and to help others in need by sharing this information. We will continue to do everything we can to make sure Houstonians are safe.”
“We want to build on our existing presence in Houston and do our small part to help during this challenging time,” said Uber’s Trevor Theunissen, Director Public Affairs. “This is part of our global commitment to provide 10 million free rides and food deliveries to healthcare workers, seniors, and people in need. We’re grateful for Mayor Turner’s leadership on this issue and will continue to work with more organizations to move whatever matters.”
If you are a victim of domestic violence, help is available at (713) 528-2121. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Fort Bend County, TX – County Judge KP George announced that the county has updated its website with all available race and ethnicity data for residents of Fort Bend County who have tested positive for COVID-19. The data will be updated daily when new reports are received.
“I am committed to transparency and that means releasing data about the novel coronavirus cases accurately and quickly,” said County Judge KP George. “I ask everyone of all ages, genders, races and areas in Fort Bend to help stop the spread of this virus in our county by social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks in public places.”
CURRENT DATA: The race and ethnicity COVID-19 breakdown as of today (4/21/20) is on the websites and shows this data: Of the confirmed cases with race and ethnicity reported, 34% are Black, 22% are Hispanic, 21% are Asian, 19% are White and 4% are other. The total deaths are 18 and of those, 9 were White, 4 were Hispanic, 3 were Asian and 2 were Black.
REPORTING METHODOLOGY: Fort Bend County receives reports of notifiable diseases from multiple sources, which include hospitals, doctors and laboratories. The reports have varying amounts of information on them. Up to now, Fort Bend has posted the data from the reports online for gender, age and zip code. The County did not initially report the race and ethnicity online because not all the reports have that information. However, due to the heightened national interest in race and ethnicity data, Fort Bend County has begun adding that information to its online hub daily.
REPORTING DETAILS: The county’s health department is working with various reporting sources to go backwards and capture as much of the race and ethnicity information as possible for all the reported cases. The additional case data will be updated on the website as it is received, with two caveats. There is a lag in reporting cases across the country so the information can be for older cases. Secondly, the data on the county website will likely never equal 100 percent of cases because some reports don’t include race and ethnicity.
To learn more about the health issues related to coronavirus (COVID-19) in Fort Bend County, please visit fbchealth.org/ncov
METROLift is partnering with the city of Houston, the Houston Food Bank, Walmart and Sam’s Club to make sure no family goes hungry during the COVID-19 crisis.
Today, the city announced the program to deliver groceries to those in need.Thanks to a $30,000 donation from Walmart, beginning Friday, April 24, METROLift will make 500 grocery deliveries each week. The agency is proud to support this worthy cause while the city and county’s “Stay Home” order remain in effect.Anyone interested in signing up, or learning more about the program can call 832-394-0814 or go to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Website.
The Houston Food Bank is America’s largest food bank in distribution, leading hunger relief in 18 southeast Texas counties.
