Pence Says Texas Has White House Backing and to Wear Masks

Vice President Mike Pence expressed support for Texas on Sunday. Pence met with Gov. Greg Abbott in Dallas for a meeting and a news conference on Texas’ response to the coronavirus and the surge of positive cases. 

“President Trump wanted us to be here today with the developments over the last two weeks — with the rising positivity, and the rising number of cases — with a very simple message, and that is, to you, to the people of Texas: We’re with you, and we’re going to stay with you,” Pence said. 

“We’re going to make sure that Texas and your health care system in Texas have the resources, have the supplies, have the personnel to meet this moment,”  Pence added.

The positivity rate that just one month ago was at 4.27% is now well over 13%.

Pence said that accelerated testing will return to Texas.

“We’re going to make sure not only do we continue the testing at those five sites, but if the governor needs additional public resources to expand testing, that’ll be made available.”

Pence congratulated Abbott on his decisive actions.

“Reopening this economy, which began in early May, is a tribute to your leadership and the steady progress in — in putting Texas back to work.”

Abbott spoke about continuing to keep businesses open while continuing safety measures.

Abbott reiterated that Texas is following data in making decisions about how the state moves forward. 

“With a positivity rate over 10% it would be an alarm bell,” he said. 

“If you don’t need to go out, there is no reason to go out,” Abbott said.

Abbott, who had taken off his mask to speak, picked up his red, white and blue mask and said, “It will take these.”

Dr. Deborah Birx, response coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force, expressed her support for wearing masks and applauded Abbott for closing bars in Texas. 

“April and May were different than today,” Birx said. “Harris country primarily, the rate of increase is enormous right now. Dallas is more steady but in talking to your medical group, what we are seeing here is an increase of hospitalization of 20-40 years olds.”

Abbott said he has a weekly call with Pence. They even spoke on Father’s Day.