Type of Intervention: Executive Order
Sectors Involved: Civil Defence
Intervention Categories: Legal and policy; Declaring state of emergency
Level of Jurisdiction: Texas
Lead People/Agency: Governor Gregg Abbott
Overview: Gregg Abbott issued a State of Disaster in Texas due to COVID-19
Full details here: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-declares-state-of-disaster-in-texas-due-to-covid-19
Type of Justification: Anecdotal Evidence (e.g. social or traditional media with limited evidence base), Perception of an increased threat, Results of virus testing
Evidence/Justification: COVID-19 has been recognized globally as a contagious virus; and as of March 13, 2020 there are more than 30 confirmed cases of COVID-19 located in multiple Texas counties; and there are more than 50 Texans with pending tests for COVID-19; some schools, universities, and other governmental entities are beginning to alter their schedules, and some venues are beginning to temporarily close, as precautionary responses to the increasing presence of COVID- 19 in Texas; and costs incurred to prepare for and respond to COVID-19 are beginning to mount at the state and local levels; and the State of Texas has already taken numerous steps to prepare for COVID-19, such as increasing laboratory testing capacity, coordinating preparedness efforts across state agencies, and working with local partners to promote appropriate mitigation efforts; and it is critical to take additional steps to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to protect the health and welfare of Texans; and declaring a state of disaster will facilitate and expedite the use and deployment of resources to enhance preparedness and response.