Texas progressives — coronavirus week 3

Did you text death panels to Dan Patrick? If not, per Alice Embree, give him a telephonic cough-in while we dig into the coronavirus and other news in this week's Texas Progressives roundup. Again, as in the previous two weeks, this corner is splitting coronavirus stuff and the usual idiocy. Week 1 is here and week 2 is here. And for April 7 week, here. Week 5 is here. Ditto for Week 6. Here's Week 7, and Week 8.

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Goalpost shifting, pure and simple. Trump says deaths could hit 100K, while saying staying below that would be "success."

THIS is why many Texas shoppers swear by HEB. Its preparations for the virus going viral are no shock to anybody who saw it in action during Hurricane Harvey and other things. (Longer read.)

Dan Patrick and other Texas Rethuglicans want grannies to off themselves as a burden to society, but want poor single mothers to be forced to have babies — even though that will, of course, make them a burden to society. (Abortion providers are suing.)

Too bad HEB ain't running testing here in Tex-ass, as results are taking up to 10 days. People who think they might be sick but aren't sure and need to work ain't sitting at home for 10 days. Looks like "Sue Obama and go home" Gov. Strangeabbott is pretty Trumpian indeed.

Texas Monthly also reports on online auctions and Facebook sites benefiting kids who couldn't show at Houston. (I had a brief in my local newspapers about this.)

TM also gets a bartender, a chef and a restaurant exec to talk about the current state of their industry. (Longer read.)

It's been two weeks since his last executive orders. Texas neighbors Louisiana, New Mexico and even wingnut Oklahoma have issued statewide shelter in place orders. TM asks why isn't Abbott doing more? (Abbott and staff refused to comment.)

Soon, Texas may have so many #COVIDIOTS for us to have bingo. Right now, just an online poll:

Who's the biggest Texas #COVIDIT here?
A. The Collin County Judge w/ a non-restrictive county order? (Add Commissioner Darrell Hale as sidebar)
B. The McKinney person suing his mayor over city's more restrictive order?
C. Gov. Abbott for enabling B?
D. Tiehttps://t.co/lrt6SIi3jM

— Text #DeathPanels 00000 to @DanPatrick 🚩🌻 (@AFCC_Esq) March 28, 2020

Don't be a COVIDIOT.

If you are a COVIDIOT and a pastor? As long as it's applied equally, the government can shut churches.

Trump at first glance appears to have half a brain by considering a federally imposed quarantine of greater NYC. But a closer look at his talk says it's selfish too. He's worried about infected New Yorkers coming to Florida.

Tony Fauci is at Trump's podium precisely because he's a semi-toady. Where's the CDC?

HHS Secretary Alex Azar, the latest Trumper with capitalism-related COVID blood on his hands.

COVIDIOTS exist outside Texas, too, including a Washington State hospital that fired a doctor for being too transparent.

Speaking of, as metro Detroit and the Crescent City become hotspots, Gadfly wonders who might be next and looks at Miami, among other places.

One place hard hit inside Texas? The state supported living center in Denton.

Some Austin company, and maybe a second company (that we know of) are trying to claw back employees' pay in an amount equal to federal stimulus checks. #CapitalismKills

Something else that may be "hard hit," pun sadly intended? Child abuse, with cases surely on the rise with shelterings in place, even if confirmed cases are down.

A friendly reminder that classical music, not just pop, rock and country at bars, is suffering from COVID.

Off the Kuff notes the different attitude towards stay-at-home orders in some parts of the state and points out that coronavirus doesn't care about anyone's attitude or ideals. Late update post from Kuff about Abbott's stay-in-jail order showing us Old Abbott running roughshod over county and local decision-making.

Better Texas Blog says, once again, that everyone needs paid sick leave.

Nonsequiteuse minces no words with Dan Patrick.

Brea LaVelle, and her teacher colleagues, really miss their students.