Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently announced the economic response of the state to COVID-19 at a news conference held on Friday. The announcement included his plans to reopen businesses in the state amid the pandemic.

Relatively, the governor delivered three executive orders which outline how Texas is beginning to "reopen the businesses without stimulating the spread of the infectious disease." 

Gov. Abbott elaborated, he formed a "strike force" composed of Speaker of the House Dennis Bonnen, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Comptroller Glenn Hegar, and Attorney General Ken Paxton.

More so, this strike force, the governor said, will be joined by a team of specialists and state health officials. In addition, John Hellerstedt, the Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner was appointed as the "strike force's chief medical officer," with Dr. Parker Hudson, Dr. Mark McClellan, and Dr. John Zerwas joining him for support.

The Strike Force's Function

The strike force was formed to develop a medical architecture that will allow the state to reopen safely while waiting for the COVID-19 immunizations to be developed, Gov. Abbott said.

Moreover, the team's role is to work in collaboration with the Texas entrepreneurs' advisory committee to advise on how to reopen safely and successfully the economy of Texas. Gov. Abbott also added Chairman James Huffines would operate strike force.

Currently, the government is into a discussion with the team on how the reopening will take place safely despite the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to the executive director for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, the task the team has over the next couple of days is to help both the governor and his advisers understand that there are portions of Texas where it "would be safe to open the businesses."

Opening of Businesses to Come in Stages

Gov. Abbott also said the reopening of the Texas economy is coming in stages. The first stage, which would have taken in effect on April 17, would include the reopening of businesses that posture small to zero-threat of spreading the infection.

Then, the second stage would include additional reopening of businesses after getting other inputs from the medical professionals.

This particular phase is expected to take place on April 27. Following this second stage are additional openings for the third phase, to be announced in May once it is determined that capabilities in testing can trace and control the outbreaks of this pandemic.

According to State Rep. Donna Howard, she is favoring the reopening of the Texas businesses again. However, she shares she still hesitates about moving too fast when no sufficient testing and data is being provided.

Howard added, "We are talking about ten days looking at this once more," probably, reopening more business. However, that is prior to the date that everybody has been told, "We can anticipate having more COVID-19 tests."

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