The Texas GOP convention will gather thousands of people indoors without a mask requirement. One of

[TexasTowelie]

The Texas GOP convention will gather thousands of people indoors without a mask requirement. One of its sponsors is the Texas Medical Association.

by Meena Venkataramanan, Texas Tribune


The Texas Medical Association is encouraging Texans to practice social distancing, stay home when possible and wear masks to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. But despite the potential mixed message it may send, the state’s largest medical organization said Monday it is not reconsidering its sponsorship of the Texas Republican convention next month. Some 6,000 people from across the state are expected to gather indoors without a mask mandate at the convention in Houston, one of the nation’s fastest-growing COVID-19 hot spots.

A spokesperson for TMA, which represents more than 53,000 Texas physicians and medical students, told The Texas Tribune that it will honor its commitment to the event.

“The agreement will not be revisited,” Brent Annear said in an email Monday.

He added that despite the fact that the GOP organizers won’t require attendees to wear masks, TMA “encourages everyone who goes anywhere to wear masks.”

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/29/texas-gop-convention-coronavirus-harris/

[marble falls]

1. This will make turning Blue easier.

[Budi]

3. True. There is one bright shining light for Tx.

💙👍🥂

[marble falls]

4. I never in my life ever thought that others suffering would be a good thing, but they are just ...

plain asking for it.

[Budi]

5. Yes they are. Whether it's Karma, Fate, or plain stupidity..all 3 will meet up in Houston!

💙

[Squinch]

8. In more ways than one.

[marble falls]

9. Its an astounding thing.

[Squinch]

10. While my NY was in the throes of it, I did see some disgusting comments in the media on why

this plague was being visited on the NE rather than other areas.

So when it started to climb in the south and west, I did have a moment of "Ha!"

But I'm over that now. I have many disagreements with my governor, but I knew he had my back on this. I knew we were doing everything we could to stop it. And I knew our efforts were working. I knew I had a part to play and it was important.

I think the states that are being hit now are the saddest thing I have ever seen. First, it was entirely preventable. Second, these people are sheep, and they have been so misled. Yes, they are adults and they allowed themselves to be led, but by their actions we can see they are just ignorant beyond belief. Having seen what this virus can do to a community, I just am heartbroken about the pain and suffering they are running toward with open arms. And it won't be just a season for them. They are not doing what they need to do to stop it. It will go on and on and on.

We had weeks of heartache. But even at the worst, we could see that we had caught it and it was beginning to move in the right direction.

They will have months. I cannot imagine. I could cry thinking about the agony those poor, stupid people will go through.

[marble falls]

11. Its a mind set you have to be here to really appreciate. My wife and I would have left here ...

years ago except for her Trumpite 94 year old mom. Now we are getting too old to leave ourselves. We've lost friends from the politics of Covid. We've been masked and self quarantined for six months. We feel exiled. We've heard and seen things we can't believe. And now Covid is finally really hit here in the Hill Country.

My dad lives in Arizona. My daughter lives in Florida.

And I know if we had any leadership at all in these three states there would have been a mandatory extended shutdown with mandatory masks and things would not have been ended, but would have been a lot less deadly.

NYC certainly demonstrated that as bad as it could be, even with the little to no help or direction from the national executive government, by doing the right things and sticking to it, there could be relief from this pandemic.

Trump had so many chances to reverse his dumbass policies and the Governors would have followed right along. And we'd all be better off for it.

[Squinch]

12. But you are doing the only thing that makes sense. It is sad that everyone around you will

have to find that out the hard way.

Is your daughter being as conscientious as you are?

Hang in there. They WILL see the light. Once they start seeing the body counts and realizing how debilitating this is even for many who survive, they'll come around. Masking here is almost universal, so even conservatives must be doing it.

My cousin, who lives near me, told me in the beginning: "I have only one goal. Everyone who is alive today who I love will be alive when this goes away. That's all I'm concerning myself with." She browbeat some conservative relatives into submission and so far the extended family is doing well. That's all you can do: watch your own circle, and avoid the stupid people.

Hang in there. I wish you and yours continued health.

[marble falls]

13. My daughter. She's in healthcare and she's very strong about what needs to be done ...

and then she flew my grand daughter to my other daughter in Missouri for a several week visit. That daughter works in a federal prison.

I have to just about bite my tongue off. These are two highly educated and smart women with highly educated and smart husbands. They loathe Trump. But they're flying my grand daughter.

I haven't seen my step-mom or sister in Houston since Christmas. And my sister does not go to my mom's house but maybe several times in six months. We all used to go out to eat about once a month and my sister was over to mom's house about twice a week.

These are difficult times.

We are determined to pull through. We are determined to not only protect ourselves but not to expose others. Maybe this situation was needed to just prove to ourselves what our strengths are and how shallow our roots to Texas are.

One thing is certain: we're not giving up or giving in.

Side note: my dad had a nasal swab and a blood test for Covid in Phoenix. He's pretty keen about staying safe in these times of plague - even stopped his card games at the senior center and stays home puttering in his backyard and the house. He's started baking. But one test said negative and the other said positive. The Doctors think he's had and gotten over Covid.

And they think that might have been what the temporary heart anomaly was about.

Good news from the plague years.

[Squinch]

14. Wow. So at least your dad might have some immunity for a few months.

It is weird about choosing to have your granddaughter in an airplane. Has shemade the trip already? Is she past the incubation?

[marble falls]

15. She's been there for two weeks. It just might be she'll not be able to fly back to Fla ...

Again, I'm biting my tongue.

[Budi]

2. In 15 days, as the numbers soar to the point of being completely out of control

I mean, that southern area is burning like a wildfire right now. This is insane.

[BigmanPigman]

6. If attendees still decide to go, that is their choice.

They are adults and know what the situation is and this is their choice. I will be more than happy to say, "The scientists told you so and you laughed and ignored it". Tough shit!

[Thekaspervote]

7. Okay.. so they close the bars...but this?? No wonder the bar owners in Tx are suing

A pee section in a swimming pool!