Pence Vows to Stand By Texas as State Grapples With Coronavirus Spike
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday vowed to stand by Texans side as the state struggles with surging coronavirus cases.
During an event at First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas on Sunday, Pence said the health of the people from the Lone Star State is going to be put first, in coordination with the state Governor Greg Abbott.
A White House statement released about a later briefing with Abbott said the White House Coronavirus Task Force had been working with the Texas administration from the start of the pandemic. The task force is represented by Dr. Deborah Birx and Secretary Ben Carson.
"Every single day we'll continue to reclaim our freedom and our way of life," Pence said, remaining hopeful that Texas is one day closer to putting the pandemic behind them.
Pence said the government will make sure the Texas healthcare system have appropriate amount of resources, supplies, and personnel.
The talk with Abbott was added to Pence's agenda at the last minute as the state experienced a surge in coronavirus cases, Texas Tribune reported.
Recorded daily cases spiked
On Thursday, the number of daily new cases was at its highest at nearly 6,000, reported Business Insider. In the past 16 days, hospitalizations also increased, experiencing new highs every day.
The percentage of tests that came back positive also spiked. The rate, which is presented as a seven-day average, reached 13.23 percent on Friday, almost as high as its highest record in mid-April of 13.86 percent.
Abbott ordered the state to stay at home on March 31. The decision lapsed on April 30 and was not renewed. Establishments were allowed to reopen on May 1, but larger entertainment venues were given permission to a limited reopening on June 12.
Abbott reversed the reopening of Texas last Friday due to these said increases. Among the many measure were the shutting down of bars and the reduction of restaurants' customers capacity to 50 percent. Pence said they are looking to accelerate the rate of testing in Texas.
The state has seen regular averages of over 30,000 tests in a day, a threshold that Abbott set when he announced the reopening of the state at the end of April.
In both the First Baptist, Pence commended Abbott "for his courageous and compassionate leadership for the people of Texas during this challenging time." He repeated his praised when he was giving the briefing at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
The vice president decided to postpone several appearances in Arizona and Florida this week "out of an abundance of caution" because of threats posed by coronavirus, reported NBC News.
Pence stressed the importance of using face masks
During the news conference at the medical center, Pence called on Americans to put on masks whenever it is indicated. He said wearing masks is a "good idea" in places, where maintaining social distancing can't be done.
NBC News also said the vice president donned a mask earlier that day, but Business Insider pointed out that he didn't have one when he was at the medical center news conference.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump generally refused to wear a mask in public. This drew criticism towards his actions.
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