Heeding “social distancing” advice shuts down area events
BOSQUE COUNTY – As COVID-19 made its way into Texas, the City of Austin cancelling South By Southwest and Houston shutting down the Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show became the first dominoes to fall as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a statement March 10 advising citizens to avoid any events involving a gathering of more than 100 people.
Then, President Donald Trump declaring a National Emergency and Texas Governor Greg Abbott following suit by declaring a State of Disaster for Texas due to the Coronavirus pandemic sped up the process, as area organizations began to heed the advice to enact social distancing by cancelling or postponing scheduled events.
Sunday night, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a guidance suggesting that organizers cancel or postpone any in-person events that include 50 people or more scheduled for the next eight weeks.
Since we find ourselves in a fluid situation with information changing within days and even hours, ChisholmCountry.com advises you to check relevant websites for changes and updates before attending a planned event.
As a precaution against the spread of the Coronavirus, the Bosque Arts Center has cancelled all events through April. Rescheduled event dates are to be determined at a later date. Their Fine Art and e-BAC online auctions will proceed as planned. Event impacted by the decision will be:
March 14 – Marcia Ball Concert – postponed
March 21 – Fine Art Reception – cancelled
March 28 – Showcase of Young Musicians – cancelled
April 4 – Big Event Fundraiser – postponed
April 16 – Bosque Chorale – postponed
April 25 – Casino Night – postponed
Other events around the area announcing postponements or cancellations were:
March 19 – The Fort Worth National Weather Service has cancelled all their training events for the foreseeable future. This includes the SkyWarn Storm Spotting Training planned for March 19.
March 27 – The Bosque River Valley Daughters of the American Revolution postponed their Tribute to Vietnam Vets.
After Monday's announcement from President Trump, the Bosque Valley Golf Course Fundraiser March 28, and the County-wide Garage Sale April 3-4 were cancelled as well with the hopes of rescheduling at a later time.
For now, the Central Texas Youth Fair Livestock Workshop April 18 is still on as planned.
The University Interscholastic League has cancelled all spring activities, which includes all sports, One-Act Play, Academic and Band competitions.
In addition, area schools are contemplating extending Spring Break and offering homework packages or online options in an effort to keep instruction going.
At this time, Clifton, Valley Mills, Meridian, Cranfills Gap and Iredell ISDs are suspending classes from March 16-20 with a tentative plan to resume classes March 23. Many colleges are also extending Spring Break and offering online classes only.
For those students thinking an extended Spring Break is a lucky break, they should consider that any larger social activities like going to the movies are discouraged. Major music festivals, conferences and celebrations – like St. Patrick’s Day - across the country have been canceled or postponed.
Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park have suspended operations. Closer to home, Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Fiesta Texas have temporarily suspended operations until the end of March, at which time they will re-evaluate the situation.
State officials on Friday also urged Texans to wash hands, cover coughs and stay home from work when sick — and not to hoard supplies.
If you have cough, fever or shortness of breath AND think you have been exposed to Coronavirus, call the Goodall-Witcher Healthcare dedicated phone line at 254-675-0004. Please call the Coronavirus Hotline before you go to the clinic or emergency room. Your call will be answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week by a licensed healthcare professional who will be able to advise you appropriately.
For updated health information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html and the Goodall-Witcher Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/GoodallWitcher/posts.
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