Before Gov. Greg Abbott held a virtual town hall on Thursday evening, he asked Texans to share any questions they had by using the hashtag #AskAbbott. The questions flooded in, and the momentum hasn’t stopped. Here we share what Texans are concerned about — their worries about business, public health, hurricane season and more.
A tweeter voiced child care concerns.
Why is child care not part of government disaster and emergency planning? #Childcare is critical for economic growth. Surely, we can do better than ask all centers to remain open placing children and communities at greater risk. #AskAbbott
— Kevin Kalra (@knkalra) March 19, 2020
The question led to a thread of concern for child care workers and child care centers who do not have relief from the coronavirus outbreak.
As a childcare provider I sit and hear how important first responders are and nurses ect yet I risk my health and my families health at risk. So many have lost business or had to shut down and we have no relief
— Tiffany Stewart (@tstew784) March 20, 2020
Some Texans are wondering why non-essential businesses are still open.
Some Texans are wondering why non-essential businesses are still open.
“Why are you not closing non-essential businesses? If it isn’t vital it shouldn’t be open. My wife is stuck having to continue to work at her job(a car dealership) feeling unsafe because her employer isn’t taking this seriously.”
Someone raised a similar concern about state employees.
“No state employee should have to choose between their job and the public health. @GregAbbott_TX, will you require non-essential state employees switch to telework?”
And what about salons?
“Please set guidelines for hair and nail salons as to if they are to close their doors.”
Texans are concerned about being able to make their rent and mortgage payments.
“What is the plan to support workers who have had their places of employment closed and don’t have the money to pay rent in April and beyond? Will Texas be enacting a rent freeze to protect the working class people who keep this state running?”
One person shared concerns for Texas’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“Currently SNAP recipients can’t use their Lonestar card to purchase groceries online and have them delivered. Will this be changed ASAP to accommodate those that can’t go to stores? This affects our elderly and disabled. Not everyone has someone to run errands for them.”
Alabama, Iowa, New York, Oregon, and Washington are a part of the Food and Nutrition Service online purchasing pilot, and certain retailers accept SNAP payments online. Texas is not in the program.
Some people across Texas are working remotely, but others may need to take time off.
“What are you doing to expand access to paid sick days so folks don’t have to choose btwn taking care of themselves & losing their job?”
A tweeter asked about Texas hospitals.
“Texas has the highest number of closed hospitals in the nation. What are you doing so rural Texans get to a hospital if they suspect they have the coronavirus?”
One person asked about hurricanes and other storms.
#AskAbbott During severe weather evacuations in spring storms and hurricane season, how will Texas Division of Emergency Management and FEMA adapt typical shelter configurations to accommodate social distancing recommendations from CDC?
— Hanslin Peterson (@HanslinPeterson) March 19, 2020
Could a lack of school testing affect high school graduations?
“In STAAR cancellation, please clarify EOCs & confirm students will be able to graduate (through 2023) without the EOCs not offered this year. We do not need to require them to test next year on a class they took the year prior just to meet the min 5.”
Someone inquired about people in the justice system.
What about people who are incarcerated during this time?
— Janice Ramirez-Brown (@JaniceRamirezB1) March 19, 2020
Another tweeter inquired about the needy.
What is being done to mitigate spread amongst our homeless population? #AskAbbott
— katie (@katie18556765) March 19, 2020
The Austin American-Statesman reported this week that some homeless people are discovering that essentials they rely on such as baby wipes and water are gone from stores. There are concerns over what will happen if the coronavirus finds its way inside shelters.
As it’s spring, some are wondering about air conditioning and utilities.
“Please do not shut down essential needs. Air conditioning companies. If someone can’t have a new system if AC goes down, it’s only making things worse. Keep AC companies going!”
“covering all electrical, natural gas, water, and telecommunications utilities until we are no longer in a statewide #CONVID19 emergency?”
Some #askAbbott tweets called for action.
“Texas MUST shutdown … extreme measures must be taken.”
“The great state of Texas should be LEADING this fight.”
