Houston area leaders pressure residents to show their love for others by canceling holiday meetings

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

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

Hidalgo added that the number of patients admitted to the ICU continues to increase.

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

Judge Hidalgo said she and Turner wanted to join forces to convey the seriousness of how important it is for everyone to cancel meetings this year.

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

“The rate of positivity is increasing. Our ICUs are above where they were six weeks ago and we are now preparing to go straight to the heart of the holiday season,” said Turner. “Reschedule those [holiday] plans for some time next year. It is important to do this to keep you and your loved ones safe.

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

Before the briefing, Houston businessmen feared that another closure could be underway. Although the leaders have decided not to establish a curfew yet, Hidalgo said he is not dismissing it.

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