Houston Area Leaders Encourage Residents to Show Love for Others by Canceling Vacation Meetings

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – Before Christmas, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner urge residents to be safe and, if possible, cancel all parties after seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases.

“It’s tempting, especially during the holidays, to think it’s okay to visit friends and family now, especially now that there’s light at the end of the tunnel with the COVID-19 vaccine,” Hidalgo said. “Right now, in the holiday season, as the virus spreads across the nation and our state, we face the biggest challenge so far.”

Hidalgo added that the number of patients in the ICU has not stopped increasing.

“Across Texas, communities are entering dangerous territory,” Hidalgo said. “The way to show your loved ones that you love them this holiday season is to stay home and put your plans on hold this year.”

Judge Hidalgo said she and Turner wanted to join forces to convey the seriousness of the importance it has for everyone to cancel rallies this year.

Mayor Turner followed Hidalgo’s statements, saying he agreed with her as they have talked about the current situation in the city and county.

“The positivity rate is rising. Our ICUs have increased from where they were six weeks ago and now we are preparing to get into the heart of the holiday season,” Turner said. “Reschedule them [holiday] plans for some time next year. It is important to do this to protect your loved ones and yourself.

During the briefing, Turner said 634 new cases of COVID-19 were reported Wednesday, bringing the city’s total to 112,056.

Dr. David Persse of the Houston Department of Health also spoke during the briefing and said the virus spreads more during closed meetings, not controlled environments like work or school.

“Around the holiday season, it’s the time when we get family members together, who are very comfortable with each other because they’re family members, and that’s when we tend to leave the guard. That’s the exact places where we are looking [COVID-19] “said Dr. Persse.

Prior to the briefing, Houston employers feared another shutdown could begin. Although leaders have decided not to set a curfew, Hidalgo said they do not rule it out.

SEE ALSO:

RELATED: Houston companies fear another closure of COVID-19

CLOSE AGAIN: Bars were ordered to close in several counties in Southeast Texas