County declares State of Disaster to access funds
Hays County and the City of San Marcos issued a joint State of Disaster declaration Sunday after a 44-year-old county resident tested positive for COVID-19.
The county made the announcement Saturday that it had its first case of the coronavirus. With a state of disaster, the county and city will be able to access state and federal funds to aid response to COVID-19.
“I am leading a plan that is locally executed, state coordinated and federally supported,” Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said. “… Because of the great job we have been doing as a community, staying ahead of what is going on, this declaration is confusing but it is to stay ahead… This is to solidify and open up other channels of resources to keep us ahead. We’re doing the best thing we can by doing this.”
It was reiterated multiple times during the meeting that this disaster declaration was made primarily to open up funding possibilities available from the state and federal government.
“Keep in mind, we didn’t have an earthquake,” Becerra said. “We didn’t have a hurricane. We still have lights. We still have water. And the supply chain will still move cargo. Lets just be honest. Everything is going to be fine in terms of supplies... I think we all have enough toilet paper.”
San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson said the city has been working on the collaborative response with the county for weeks. (See statements from Wimberley officials on page 1). The state of disaster declaration activates the city’s emergency plan and will allow the city to allocate resources to utilize all disaster funding and resources available through state and federal agencies.
“We knew we would eventually see cases in our area,” Hughson said. “There is no reason to panic. It’s time for everyone to remain calm and to continue to practice preventive measures. We’re prepared to take the actions necessary to keep our community safe … We’re in this together and we’ll get past this together with our coordinated effort.”
“I will share with you that although the risk of severe illness may be low, we want every resident in this county to take personal responsibility to prevent the spread,” Becerra said.
Many of the comments made during the meeting were intended to quell some of the concern in local citizens.
“I am here to help calm everybody down a little bit,” Hays County Local Health Department Epidemiologist Eric Schneider said. “It is just a virus. It is not Ebola. It mimics the flu. It spreads the same way. We are recommending everybody has healthy behaviors. If you are sick stay home. Do not go to work or to school if you have a fever. A lot of people in Hays County will probably get this disease. But the majority of people can stay home just like you would with the flu… You can go back to your life after you are (72) hours fever free. You can go back to your normal daily life. Do not go out in public when you are running a fever.”
Editor’s Note: CDC changed the recommendation to self quarantine until 72 hours after you are fever free.