Corona Virus update for March 27, 2020

TEXARKANA, USA— A press conference was held today, March 27, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Texarkana, Texas Convention Center to provide an update on the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) public health crisis.

(Bowie Count Shelter-in-Place order is attached.  A word document will be forthcoming for copy and paste purposes. Please refer to www.coronatxk.org for a list of Essential Businesses and Services.) 

The following is not a transcript, but a collection of prepared statements:

Miller County Judge Cathy Harrison—

“Currently, I do not feel it is necessary to implement a stay at home order or curfew for Miller County. I have received NO complaints from the Sheriff's Office or Mayors of Miller County, however, I fully support and appreciate Mayor Allen Browns curfew that he put in place Wednesday, realizing the burden this could place on the city of Texarkana Ar. and Miller County as a whole if he had not. As of today, there are No positive cases of the COVID-19 virus in MC, if that changes the citizens of Miller County will be informed immediately.

Arkansas Governor Hutchinson is doing an outstanding job leading Arkansas through this pandemic and I will continue to follow his guidance. The Governor has kept the numbers relatively low in Arkansas, especially compared to our neighboring states. This situation changes hourly and we are re-evaluating hourly.  I thank Judge Howell for his leadership, because it not only protects Bowie County, but also protects Miller County.

I again, want to thank Miller County OEM Director Joe Bennett for the countless hours he has spent, not only staying informed on what’s going on in our area with COVID-19 virus, but also keeping up with all the other emergencies that have come up over the last week. Miller County is better for having him.

The JDC is closed to outside visitors; however, the juveniles can FaceTime with their legal guardians. This is for their protection as well as the staffs.

Currently the Miller county courthouses is still open. However, we do ask, if you have any symptoms of the virus or are not feeling well, please stay home and call or email the office you need to visit.

 I thank the citizens of Miller County that have stepped up in taking care of our elderly. There are several groups throughout the county that are working to ensure that our senior citizens are taken care of. If anyone in the county needs supplies or assistance, please feel free to call Clayton Green with our local Volunteer Fire Departments at 870-648-0310. They are taking donations for this purpose.

I want to thank Doctor Matt Young for the guidance, knowledge and leadership that he has given me throughout the last couple of weeks. It is very much appreciated.  Thank you.”

Texarkana, Arkansas Mayor Allen Brown—

“First of all, we want to thank the citizens of Texarkana Arkansas and Miller County for their patience and understanding as we continue this journey to keep our community safe and healthy.  It is understandable that everyone is filled with questions and anxiety and is looking for answers. We continue to stay in close contact with the Governor and follow his lead for helping to minimize the spread of this virus. Yesterday, a directive order was issued by the Secretary of Health.

The Secretary of Health, in consultation with the Governor, has the sole authority over all instances of quarantine, isolation, and restrictions on commerce and travel throughout Arkansas, as necessary and appropriate to control disease in the state of Arkansas as authorized by Ark. Code Ann. 20-7-109-110.

We appreciate our state leadership who bases decisions on available scientific evidence to help control COVID-19.  We will continue to monitor our local activities to ensure we are following all directives. Following the directive set forth by our State can sometimes prohibit local decisions but it is important to know that we stand with our sister city and county.  Even though we are not enacting a Shelter In Place, we support our fellow citizens in Texarkana Texas and Bowie County. We must do our part by adhering to the mandatory curfew and curfew guidelines, following the CDC guidelines of good hand hygiene, social distancing and not participating in gatherings of 10 or more.  We are requesting our citizens to stay at home whether you are sick or not and limit personal travel to the essentials of to and from work, gas/grocery stores, pharmacies, medical appointments and emergencies.  This is temporary and we are simply trying to slow the curve by minimizing exposure. These steps are important to achieve this. These decisions are not taken lightly and are being made in good faith to protect our community.  Be kind, be compassionate, be understanding and know we are all in this together.”

Bowie County Judge Bobby Howell—

I received an update this morning from our Emergency Operations Center that there are now two positive cases of COVID-19 in Bowie County. While that number seems low, it does indicate that the virus has not been contained and will continue to spread in our community.

We know through investigations in our Emergency Operations Center that this case has had multiple contacts with others in the community. Those individuals have been contacted by authorities and we are working to identify every place they’ve been and person they’ve been in contact with. You can see how this quickly gets out of hand, and how the virus can affect large numbers of our residents in a very short time.

Now more than ever, there is a risk that this virus will spread rapidly. We absolutely must protect the most vulnerable members of the community, and we need to ensure that as many possible self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible. Essential services will continue, but we are doing everything possible to slow the spread of COVID-19.

When I look at our neighboring states, I see alarming numbers in Louisiana, and growing numbers in Arkansas. In our unique situation, I must take into account the four states region and how our County is situated as a hub for hundreds of thousands of people traveling in and out on a daily basis.

Earlier this week, Governor Abbott said that each local entity will need to make decisions about to enact more stringent measures to protect their residents. It’s time to enact those more drastic measures here in Bowie County now.

I am hereby issuing a Shelter-in-Place order effective tonight at 11:59 p.m. and in effect until 12 AM on April 13, 2020. This order is based on evidence of increasing cases within the County and throughout the four states area, scientific evidence and best practices regarding slowing the transmission of COVID-19 specifically, and evidence that the age, condition, and health of a significant portion of the population of the County places it at risk for serious health complications, including death, from COVID-19; and

All individuals currently living within Bowie County, Texas are ordered to shelter at their place of residence. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times, as reasonably possible, maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence. All persons may leave their residences only for Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses. Individuals experiencing homelessness are exempt from this Section, but are strongly urged to obtain shelter, and entities are strongly urged to make such shelter available as soon as possible and to the maximum extent practicable (and to utilize Social Distancing Requirements in their operation).

All businesses with a facility in the County, except Essential Businesses, are required to cease all activities at facilities located within the County except Minimum Basic Operations. For clarity, businesses may also continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own residences (i.e., working from home). All Essential Businesses are strongly encouraged to remain open; however, even Essential Businesses are encouraged to determine essential staff necessary to operate and to send non-essential staff home.

All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a household or living unit are prohibited. Nothing in this Order prohibits the gathering of members of a household or living unit.

All travel, except Essential Travel and Essential Activities, is prohibited. This Order allows travel into or out of the County to perform Essential Activities, operate Essential Businesses, or maintain Essential Governmental Functions.

This order will be posted on www.coronatxk.org in case you’d like to read the details. Mostly, I want to convey how serious of an issue we are facing here in Bowie County. I am doing my best to be proactive and slow the spread of this virus now, but the reality is that COVID-19 is a challenging thing to tame. Thank you for helping me and other leaders keep our communities safe and healthy and protected from this virus.

Texarkana, Texas Mayor Bob Bruggeman—

“I want to echo the Judge’s sentiments that this Shelter-in-Place is necessary and important. Please follow the order to stay at home.

I know our residents are eager to get back to their normal routine. This interruption in our daily lives has been difficult, and it has been a tough couple weeks here in Texarkana.

However, the numbers are growing in our region, and this is a critical time to take action. Right now, the only way that we can prevent this virus from spreading further is to do all we can to keep everyone at home.

Please keep practicing CDC guidelines to social distance, self-isolate, avoid groups of 10 or more, clean all surfaces and wash your hands frequently. Let’s be vigilant about staying at home at all times unless it’s necessary to get out.

Together, we must protect the most vulnerable among us. Together we can get through this and together, we will remain Texarkana strong.”