Everyone and their dog is doing a Wuhan coronavirus roundup, so let’s make this update Texas-specific (which may make it easier to get into the other roundups).
There are currently 19 reported cases in Texas, 13 of those in the Houston area.
This New York Times map says 33 cases, which presumably includes foreign and cruise ship evacuees in quarantine at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.
Fortunately, Texas is one of the most prepared states.
The already-in-progress Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was closed early at 4 PM yesterday instead of running through March 22.
There are a bunch of people on Twitter saying they’ll just attend the Greenpoint carnival instead of the rodeo. Which is like saying that, instead of seeing Avengers: Endgame in IMAX, you’re going to go home and watch a VHS of the Roger Corman Fantastic Four on your 13″ tube TV.
The SXSW music, film and tech festival have been cancelled. On the plus side, this will keep some people from seeing the drug-addicted transients Mayor Steve Adler and the City Council have lured to Austin streets, a health and safety concern all their own.
For now, Rodeo Austin is still on, but that could change.
Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion Music Festival is also currently scheduled to occur.
Austin Independent School District has banned travel to hard-hit states, including “California, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Oregon, Washington and Utah.”
There are at least 10 testing centers around the state.
The NBA season has been suspended, including the three Texas teams (Rockets, Mavericks and Spurs).
A lot of Texas universities have extended spring break and started planning for teaching online.
Stay safe out there…