Rio Grande Valley teenager writes Gov. Abbott letter as a last effort to help his mother survive COVID-19
Erika Calderon, 48, tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 29 and was hospitalized on Jan. 4, 2021. Calderon, a single mother to son Emilian Sosa, needs extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO therapy, which relieves the stress of the lungs and heart. Emilian quickly acted after learning his mother could be taken off life support, so he wrote a letter to Gov. With the help of Nim Kidd, the Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management & Dr. Zerwas, the equipment his mother needs was located. @TDEM https://t.co/dzgRby52ms — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 27, 2021Doctors are waiting for Calderon’s status to stabilize before transferring her to a Houston hospital.
Gov. Abbott extends emergency SNAP benefits due to COVID-19 pandemic
Governor Abbott announced Thursday that he was extending SNAP benefits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Human Services Commission (HHSC) will provide approximately $177 million in emergency SNAP food benefits for the month of June. “As we continue the process of safely and strategically opening Texas for business, we are committed to ensuring families across the state have access to nutritious food,” said Governor Abbott in a press release. “We’ll continue to be flexible in our response to this pandemic to make sure Texans can access the services they need as this situation evolves.”By June 12, SNAP households will see the additional amount on their Lone Star Card. RELATED: Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program to provide $1 billion in food benefits to some Texas families
Abbott announces youth camps, certain pro sports can return to Texas starting May 31
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that certain professional sports would be allowed to return to the state at the end of the month. However, no fans in the stands or in-game spectators would be allowed, Abbott said. Several NBA teams also opened their practice facilities in a limited capacity to players this week. Abbott also announced that youth sports camps and little league can return.
Gov. Abbott extends school closures in Texas until May 4 due to COVID-19
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a new executive order Tuesday extending school closures until at least May 4 as residents continue to stem the rise of the novel coronavirus. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Abbott also updated social distancing guidelines for Texas and extended them through April 30. Abbott said that Texans are taking social distancing seriously and that their compliance is helping the state battle the new virus. Abbott updated his social distancing guidelines by executive order to define essential activities that are still allowed in Texas — if people follow social distancing guidelines. Abbott said religious services should either be held remotely or in-person, if social distancing guidelines are followed.