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Can You Lead in a Pandemic Without Picking Sides? Greg Abbott Is Trying Can You Lead in a Pandemic Without Picking Sides? Greg Abbott Is Trying
(about 16 hours later)
On Thursday, in a public service announcement filmed in his wood-paneled office, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas gestured toward his most recent executive order propped up in front of him, one that Democrats, health care professionals, and a growing number of Republicans in the state had been clamoring for. Beginning that day, he said, all Texans were required to “stay at home, except to provide essential services or do essential things, like going to the grocery store.”On Thursday, in a public service announcement filmed in his wood-paneled office, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas gestured toward his most recent executive order propped up in front of him, one that Democrats, health care professionals, and a growing number of Republicans in the state had been clamoring for. Beginning that day, he said, all Texans were required to “stay at home, except to provide essential services or do essential things, like going to the grocery store.”
Just don’t call it a stay-at-home order. “That obviously is not what we have articulated here,” Mr. Abbott stressed when first unveiling the directive on Tuesday. “This is a standard that is based on essential services and essential activities.”Just don’t call it a stay-at-home order. “That obviously is not what we have articulated here,” Mr. Abbott stressed when first unveiling the directive on Tuesday. “This is a standard that is based on essential services and essential activities.”
As the coronavirus spreads across the United States, officials like Mr. Abbott, a Republican who was re-elected to a second term in 2018, have been forced to weigh the preventive value of wide-reaching public-health mandates against the economic cost they will inevitably wring. That debate is especially fraught in Texas, where increased calls for collective action find themselves at odds with an abiding ethos of “don’t tread on me.”As the coronavirus spreads across the United States, officials like Mr. Abbott, a Republican who was re-elected to a second term in 2018, have been forced to weigh the preventive value of wide-reaching public-health mandates against the economic cost they will inevitably wring. That debate is especially fraught in Texas, where increased calls for collective action find themselves at odds with an abiding ethos of “don’t tread on me.”
It’s a big moment for governors, who, along with having crises to manage, may see their crisis management as a springboard beyond the state capitol. In New York, Andrew Cuomo’s appointment-viewing televised briefings have sparked calls for a presidential run. Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer already sports a T-shirt emblazoned with President Trump’s coronavirus coinage for her, “That woman from Michigan.”It’s a big moment for governors, who, along with having crises to manage, may see their crisis management as a springboard beyond the state capitol. In New York, Andrew Cuomo’s appointment-viewing televised briefings have sparked calls for a presidential run. Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer already sports a T-shirt emblazoned with President Trump’s coronavirus coinage for her, “That woman from Michigan.”
But unlike many governors, Mr. Abbott’s task is not so much building national political clout from scratch as maintaining the regard he already has. And in Texas, competing passions for how to approach the virus — of which there are currently 5,330 confirmed cases and 90 deaths — are high. So Mr. Abbott, rather than drive a stake down, has focused his energies where he often does: placating all sides.But unlike many governors, Mr. Abbott’s task is not so much building national political clout from scratch as maintaining the regard he already has. And in Texas, competing passions for how to approach the virus — of which there are currently 5,330 confirmed cases and 90 deaths — are high. So Mr. Abbott, rather than drive a stake down, has focused his energies where he often does: placating all sides.
It’s a reasonable instinct in a state like Texas. The blue wave that defined the 2018 midterm elections crashed here, too, with a surge of Democratic voters and disaffected suburban Republicans flipping decades-long G.O.P. congressional districts, and shrinking the party’s state House majority to a meager (for Texas) 18 seats.It’s a reasonable instinct in a state like Texas. The blue wave that defined the 2018 midterm elections crashed here, too, with a surge of Democratic voters and disaffected suburban Republicans flipping decades-long G.O.P. congressional districts, and shrinking the party’s state House majority to a meager (for Texas) 18 seats.
Keen political observers would not have been shocked by the state trending purple, and Mr. Abbott, who won re-election that year with 55 percent of the vote, the most of any Republican on the ballot, is nothing if not keenly political. Beginning as Texas’ attorney general in 2002, Mr. Abbott has mastered the art of governing from the middle, or at least appearing to: For much of his tenure as governor, he has deftly managed to slough off controversy, reaping the political capital of his administration’s more popular decisions and dodging the backlash to its less savory ones.Keen political observers would not have been shocked by the state trending purple, and Mr. Abbott, who won re-election that year with 55 percent of the vote, the most of any Republican on the ballot, is nothing if not keenly political. Beginning as Texas’ attorney general in 2002, Mr. Abbott has mastered the art of governing from the middle, or at least appearing to: For much of his tenure as governor, he has deftly managed to slough off controversy, reaping the political capital of his administration’s more popular decisions and dodging the backlash to its less savory ones.
But Mr. Abbott is poised to own Texas’ response to this moment, for better or for worse. And the quiet, chameleonic nature that has helped propel his political career in the past may now be its chief impediment not just to leading Texans through this crisis, but also reaching the national stage that Republicans in the state believe Mr. Abbott wants.But Mr. Abbott is poised to own Texas’ response to this moment, for better or for worse. And the quiet, chameleonic nature that has helped propel his political career in the past may now be its chief impediment not just to leading Texans through this crisis, but also reaching the national stage that Republicans in the state believe Mr. Abbott wants.
“Abbott needed to provide a straightforward call to action that could be easily communicated to millions of Texans,” the editorial board of The Austin American-Statesman argued following Mr. Abbott’s executive order on Tuesday. “Instead,” they wrote, “he danced around with semantics.”“Abbott needed to provide a straightforward call to action that could be easily communicated to millions of Texans,” the editorial board of The Austin American-Statesman argued following Mr. Abbott’s executive order on Tuesday. “Instead,” they wrote, “he danced around with semantics.”
If Texans have struggled to pin down Mr. Abbott’s view on the virus, their lieutenant governor has left no uncertainty about his own. Indeed, Americans who regularly tune into Fox News often know where Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stands on any given issue, and the coronavirus has been no exception. On March 24, Mr. Patrick joined Tucker Carlson’s show to stress the need for Americans to “get back to work” and “back to living” or risk economic collapse. He said that grandparents like him were willing to risk “survival” in order to maintain a strong American economy for their children and grandchildren.If Texans have struggled to pin down Mr. Abbott’s view on the virus, their lieutenant governor has left no uncertainty about his own. Indeed, Americans who regularly tune into Fox News often know where Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stands on any given issue, and the coronavirus has been no exception. On March 24, Mr. Patrick joined Tucker Carlson’s show to stress the need for Americans to “get back to work” and “back to living” or risk economic collapse. He said that grandparents like him were willing to risk “survival” in order to maintain a strong American economy for their children and grandchildren.
In the past, Mr. Patrick’s brash style has proved useful to Mr. Abbott, allowing the lieutenant governor to become the face of polarizing issues even when Mr. Abbott, the temperamental inverse of Mr. Patrick, might support them himself. Ask Texans about the so-called bathroom bill of 2017, legislation that would have restricted the restrooms that transgender people could use, and they’ll remember Mr. Patrick as its champion, the guy who held news conferences and promoted it on cable news. Less memorable in those scenes is Mr. Abbott, who despite taking great care to telegraph his reluctance, and never meaningfully opining one way or the other, ultimately agreed to call a special session to consider the bill.In the past, Mr. Patrick’s brash style has proved useful to Mr. Abbott, allowing the lieutenant governor to become the face of polarizing issues even when Mr. Abbott, the temperamental inverse of Mr. Patrick, might support them himself. Ask Texans about the so-called bathroom bill of 2017, legislation that would have restricted the restrooms that transgender people could use, and they’ll remember Mr. Patrick as its champion, the guy who held news conferences and promoted it on cable news. Less memorable in those scenes is Mr. Abbott, who despite taking great care to telegraph his reluctance, and never meaningfully opining one way or the other, ultimately agreed to call a special session to consider the bill.
Today, however, rather than offering political cover, Mr. Patrick’s strong positions serve mostly to highlight the governor’s strained pursuit of middle ground. It is not that Mr. Abbott has been absent. Many of his decisions have elicited bipartisan praise, including asking health insurers to waive costs of coronavirus testing and telemedicine visits, requesting the expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to drive-through restaurants, and increasing hospital capacity.Today, however, rather than offering political cover, Mr. Patrick’s strong positions serve mostly to highlight the governor’s strained pursuit of middle ground. It is not that Mr. Abbott has been absent. Many of his decisions have elicited bipartisan praise, including asking health insurers to waive costs of coronavirus testing and telemedicine visits, requesting the expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to drive-through restaurants, and increasing hospital capacity.
But before Tuesday, in tossing critical decisions like stay-at-home orders to the local level, Mr. Abbott left county officials to scramble for guidance on how to slow the virus’s spread when strict social-distancing policies were in place in, say, Dallas County, but people were allowed to move freely in Collin County next door. The result, critics say, has been a muddled vision for how Texans should confront this crisis precisely when clarity is most needed.But before Tuesday, in tossing critical decisions like stay-at-home orders to the local level, Mr. Abbott left county officials to scramble for guidance on how to slow the virus’s spread when strict social-distancing policies were in place in, say, Dallas County, but people were allowed to move freely in Collin County next door. The result, critics say, has been a muddled vision for how Texans should confront this crisis precisely when clarity is most needed.
“Trump’s biggest failing has been in sending mixed messages from the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Mustafa Tameez, a Democratic strategist based in Houston. Abbott, he argued, has done the same. “At least with Dan Patrick you know where he stands.”“Trump’s biggest failing has been in sending mixed messages from the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Mustafa Tameez, a Democratic strategist based in Houston. Abbott, he argued, has done the same. “At least with Dan Patrick you know where he stands.”
When asked if he regretted not issuing Tuesday’s order earlier, Mr. Abbott did not directly answer the question but instead explained that all of his decisions were the product of close consultation with officials like Vice President Mike Pence and the White House’s coronavirus task force. “All of my decisions have not just been haphazard, but instead have been based upon both data and doctors, and they will continue to be based upon data and doctors,” Mr. Abbott said.When asked if he regretted not issuing Tuesday’s order earlier, Mr. Abbott did not directly answer the question but instead explained that all of his decisions were the product of close consultation with officials like Vice President Mike Pence and the White House’s coronavirus task force. “All of my decisions have not just been haphazard, but instead have been based upon both data and doctors, and they will continue to be based upon data and doctors,” Mr. Abbott said.
Still, for many Texas Democrats and some Republicans, the time it took for Mr. Abbott to announce a statewide stay-at-home directive has become a key metric by which to judge his leadership in this moment.Still, for many Texas Democrats and some Republicans, the time it took for Mr. Abbott to announce a statewide stay-at-home directive has become a key metric by which to judge his leadership in this moment.
Representative Lyle Larson was among the state House Republicans urging a stay-at-home order and “statewide uniformity” more broadly. In an email, he noted that Mr. Abbott and the Texas Department of Emergency Management were “working tirelessly to increase hospital capacity,” but that because of the delays in the processing and reporting of test results — as many as 10 days in some areas — “we are literally ‘flying blind’ on modeling the spread of the disease in our state.”Representative Lyle Larson was among the state House Republicans urging a stay-at-home order and “statewide uniformity” more broadly. In an email, he noted that Mr. Abbott and the Texas Department of Emergency Management were “working tirelessly to increase hospital capacity,” but that because of the delays in the processing and reporting of test results — as many as 10 days in some areas — “we are literally ‘flying blind’ on modeling the spread of the disease in our state.”
“This is not a shark attack,” Mr. Larson said. “It is trillions of germs that we can control if we follow the preventive guidelines.”“This is not a shark attack,” Mr. Larson said. “It is trillions of germs that we can control if we follow the preventive guidelines.”
Some Republicans defended Mr. Abbott’s bottom-up approach as the only viable one in a place like Texas, where driving from one county to another in this state of 28 million can feel like traversing two entirely different worlds.Some Republicans defended Mr. Abbott’s bottom-up approach as the only viable one in a place like Texas, where driving from one county to another in this state of 28 million can feel like traversing two entirely different worlds.
“He doesn’t want to overreact,” said Austin-based G.O.P. strategist Matt Mackowiak, pointing to Gov. Larry Hogan, who on Monday issued a stay-at-home directive with narrowly-defined exceptions for Maryland, as an example of someone taking an “over the top” approach. Conversely, Mr. Abbott’s measures “make sense, and don’t needlessly infringe on liberties.”“He doesn’t want to overreact,” said Austin-based G.O.P. strategist Matt Mackowiak, pointing to Gov. Larry Hogan, who on Monday issued a stay-at-home directive with narrowly-defined exceptions for Maryland, as an example of someone taking an “over the top” approach. Conversely, Mr. Abbott’s measures “make sense, and don’t needlessly infringe on liberties.”
Updated June 16, 2020Updated June 16, 2020
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Mr. Mackowiak and others said that Mr. Abbott’s less “aggressive” and “proactive” approach is not indicative of timidity, but instead the deliberative bearing that makes him qualified to lead in times of uncertainty.“He has always made sure we’re kept in our place and not crossing the line,” said Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, who has worked alongside Mr. Abbott in multiple major emergencies.Mr. Mackowiak and others said that Mr. Abbott’s less “aggressive” and “proactive” approach is not indicative of timidity, but instead the deliberative bearing that makes him qualified to lead in times of uncertainty.“He has always made sure we’re kept in our place and not crossing the line,” said Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, who has worked alongside Mr. Abbott in multiple major emergencies.
But former San Antonio mayor and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro argued that states are either in “safe mode or unsafe mode” as the virus spreads, and that Mr. Abbott, rather than governing on that binary, still seemed focused on finding a political sweet spot. “He’s trying not to lose favor with his base,” Mr. Castro said, adding that, at the same time, the governor was trying to acknowledge the range of expert opinion on how best to stop the spread of the virus.But former San Antonio mayor and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro argued that states are either in “safe mode or unsafe mode” as the virus spreads, and that Mr. Abbott, rather than governing on that binary, still seemed focused on finding a political sweet spot. “He’s trying not to lose favor with his base,” Mr. Castro said, adding that, at the same time, the governor was trying to acknowledge the range of expert opinion on how best to stop the spread of the virus.
“The problem is in a situation like this, you can’t have it both ways,” Mr. Castro added. “You can either act decisively, or you can leave your state unsafe. And right now he’s chosen to leave Texas unsafe.”“The problem is in a situation like this, you can’t have it both ways,” Mr. Castro added. “You can either act decisively, or you can leave your state unsafe. And right now he’s chosen to leave Texas unsafe.”
Mr. Abbott has an incentive to keep the feather-ruffling to a minimum: He’s getting plenty of affirmation from the president. Mr. Trump has favorably name-checked the Texas governor several times in White House briefings, and on March 22, when a reporter asked his thoughts on the lack of a statewide stay-at-home order in Texas, the president said he had “total confidence” in Mr. Abbott. “That’s a great governor,” Mr. Trump said. “He knows what he’s doing.”Mr. Abbott has an incentive to keep the feather-ruffling to a minimum: He’s getting plenty of affirmation from the president. Mr. Trump has favorably name-checked the Texas governor several times in White House briefings, and on March 22, when a reporter asked his thoughts on the lack of a statewide stay-at-home order in Texas, the president said he had “total confidence” in Mr. Abbott. “That’s a great governor,” Mr. Trump said. “He knows what he’s doing.”
Mr. Abbott’s close relationship with the president would seem a valuable commodity in this moment, as Mr. Trump hasn’t been shy about publicly condemning governors who have criticized his leadership. Governors in those states Mr. Trump is fond of, such as Ron DeSantis in Florida, have seen a speedy turnaround in their requests for masks, respirators and other equipment.Mr. Abbott’s close relationship with the president would seem a valuable commodity in this moment, as Mr. Trump hasn’t been shy about publicly condemning governors who have criticized his leadership. Governors in those states Mr. Trump is fond of, such as Ron DeSantis in Florida, have seen a speedy turnaround in their requests for masks, respirators and other equipment.
Whether Mr. Abbott has enjoyed the same level of cooperation is less clear. The president was swift to approve Mr. Abbott’s request to issue a major disaster declaration for Texas statewide, the first since 1901. But the state continues to struggle with a dearth of test kits and adequate lab analysis capabilities.Whether Mr. Abbott has enjoyed the same level of cooperation is less clear. The president was swift to approve Mr. Abbott’s request to issue a major disaster declaration for Texas statewide, the first since 1901. But the state continues to struggle with a dearth of test kits and adequate lab analysis capabilities.
“We’re working well with our federal partners every single day to get as many test kits as possible,” said John Wittman, a spokesman for Mr. Abbott.“We’re working well with our federal partners every single day to get as many test kits as possible,” said John Wittman, a spokesman for Mr. Abbott.
Mr. Abbott attained popularity in Texas by trying to appeal broadly, despite the disparate politics of his state, but some wish that instinct could be put on hold in the midst of a crisis. “It does seem that Governor Abbott wants to be liked,” said State Representative Donna Howard, a Democrat and a critical-care nurse by training.Mr. Abbott attained popularity in Texas by trying to appeal broadly, despite the disparate politics of his state, but some wish that instinct could be put on hold in the midst of a crisis. “It does seem that Governor Abbott wants to be liked,” said State Representative Donna Howard, a Democrat and a critical-care nurse by training.
She said she was “very pleased” by the substance of his most recent directive, but was disappointed that he didn’t directly call it a stay-at-home order. That, she said, “speaks to that inability to step up and say what needs to be said.”She said she was “very pleased” by the substance of his most recent directive, but was disappointed that he didn’t directly call it a stay-at-home order. That, she said, “speaks to that inability to step up and say what needs to be said.”
Asked how he wanted Texans to remember his leadership in this moment, Mr. Abbott said he didn’t want it to be top of mind. “I want Texans to be thinking about their families and futures and the way they’re rebuilding their lives,” he said. “Texans are the object here.”Asked how he wanted Texans to remember his leadership in this moment, Mr. Abbott said he didn’t want it to be top of mind. “I want Texans to be thinking about their families and futures and the way they’re rebuilding their lives,” he said. “Texans are the object here.”