Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center

August 19th, 2020

Welcome to Our Coronavius (COVID-19) Resources and Information Center. If You Have Questions Concerning  COVID-19 or Your Case, Do Not Hesitate to Contact Us Directly. Our Attorneys Are Available 24/7.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has already had an immeasurable impact on the population, leaving people confused as to how to prevent exposure, what to do if they suspect they may be infected, and what options are available to them as they face new challenges posed by this ever evolving situation. The impact of coronavirus could potentially disrupt the flow of legal and economic transactions that could our economy together. We would like our clients and the public to know that we sympathize with your during these uncertain times and stand prepared to fight for justice on your behalf.

While we are just beginning to feel the impact of the Government Orders restricting personal movement and business in the United States, our firm is already developing strategies to combat any potential obstacles or delays the may come as a result. We have created this page to keep our client and the public informed of the latest coronavirus developments, and we will provide periodic updates with substantive information about ensuring legal issues, government orders, and business policies to give you a clear picture of the circumstances that may affect you, your family, or your case.

As always, our attorneys are available 24/7 to answer any questions that you may have. Please check this page regularly as we go through this event together.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) TRACKING MAP

WebMD has created an interactive map which tracks the total number of confirmed cases and coronavirus-related deaths at the national and state level.

View the full map at: https://www.webmd.com/coronavirus 

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) INFORMATION AND UPDATES

Thomas J. Henry Law will continue to provide breaking news and updates as they are released. Any vital firm updates will be relayed to our clients directly.

FRIDAY JUNE 26

• 8:35 AM: In response to spikes in cases throughout Texas, Gov. Gregg Abbott orders restaurants to return to 50% capacity and for all bars in the state to close by 12:00 PM.

MONDAY JUNE 22

• 4:05 PM:  Nueces County Judge Barbara Canalas announces a Mandatory Mask Order for Corpus Christi and Nueces County beginning Friday, June 26. The order will require residents wear masks while inside any public building or businesses such as grocery stores, big box stores, and shopping malls.

FRIDAY JUNE 19

• 5:30 PM: Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg announce executive order mandating face coverings for all employees or visitors in business where social distancing is not possible.

THURSDAY JUNE 18

• 12:24 PM: Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath says in call with state lawmakers that students will be returning to school in person this fall.

MONDAY APRIL 27

• 2:45 PM: Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott announces executive order to begin first phase of re-opening Texas to go in effect May 1. This will allow retailers, restaurants, and movie theaters to open and operate at 25% capacity; museums and libraries to operate at 25% while forbidding hands-on exhibits, and sole practitioners to re-open in accordance to state guidelines. For business in counties with less than 5 confirmed COVID-19 cases, capacities are increased to 50%.

TUESDAY APRIL 21

• 9:20 AM: Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott announces restrictions will ease for non-elective surgeries and retail outlets will be allowed to reopen at 12:01 am Friday as long as they deliver merchandise to customers’ cars, homes, or other locations that minimize contact.

FRIDAY APRIL 17

• 12:17 PM: Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott announces schools will remain closed through the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

THURSDAY APRIL 16

• 10:08 PM: Mayor Ron Nirenberg and County Judge Nelson Wolff announce an addendum to their emergency orders, making face masks mandatory for people over the age of 10 while they are in public places where social distancing is difficult.

TUESDAY APRIL 7

• 10:42 AM: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced all state parks and historic sites will close starting today in the name of promoting social distancing and keeping people home.

MONDAY APRIL 6

• 6:00 AM: Corpus Christi Mayor Joe McComb requests tourists not visit Corpus Christi. City officials looking at ways to discourage vacationers from visiting the Corpus Christi.

SUNDAY APRIL 5

• 1:10 PM: Texas Department of Public Safety initiates checkpoints on all roadways entering from Louisiana.

TUESDAY MARCH 31

• 2:50 PM: Texas Governor Greg Abbott orders all Texas public school remain closed until May 4, 2020 to prevent spread of coronavirus. Texans to remain home unless performing “essential” activity.

MONDAY MARCH 30

• 3:08 PM: COVID-19 could be airborne says joint study by the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska, and others.
• 11:37 AM: Texas Governor Greg Abbott orders 14-day quarantine for anyone traveling to Texas from the states of California, Louisiana, and Washington as well as the cities of Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and Miami.

SUNDAY MARCH 29

• 7:28 AM: President Donald Trump extends social distancing guidelines to April 30.

FRIDAY MARCH 27

• 7:00 PM: Coalition of Texas bar associations and attorney organizations request Texas Supreme Court order to extend statutes of limitations amid COVID-19.
• 4:54 PM: President Donald Trump signs historic $2 trillion COVID-10 relief bill.
• 12:50 PM: U.S. House of Representatives passes $2 trillion economic relief package. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill into law.

THURSDAY MARCH 26

• 11:55 AM: Kleberg County announces stay-at-home order to begin Friday, March 27.
• 8:03 AM: President Donald Trump has sent a letter to governors outlining administration’s plan to identify at-risk counties in the next phase of stemming the spread of COVID-19.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 25

• 11:31 PM: U.S. Senate passes $2 trillion economic relief package. House to vote on bill Friday.
• 4:00 PM: Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales issues stay-at-home order to go into effect at 11:59 PM March 26.
• 3:00 PM: City of Corpus Christi holds news conference; announces official will be providing ongoing public health briefings every day at 3:00 pm.
• 2:36 PM: President Donald Trump approves Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s COVID-19 disaster declaration, federal assistance request for Texas.

TUESDAY MARCH 24

• 9:39 PM: City of Alice issues stay-at-home curfew starting at 11:59 pm. Curfew will be in effect every day from 11:59 pm through 5:00 am.
• 3:47 PM: Corpus Christi Council extends social distancing order for another four weeks.
• 8:28 AM: Harris County issues stay-at-home order to take affect at midnight.

MONDAY MARCH 23

• 6:15 PM: San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenburg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff issue stay-at-home order to go into effect March 25. Residents will be required to remain at home except to make essential trips, such as picking up groceries and medicine, getting gas or seeking health care.
• 1:37 PM: City of Austin and Travis and Williamson counties will issue a stay-at-home order to go into effect at 11:59 PM March 24.

SUNDAY MARCH 22

• 12:15 PM: Dallas County issues stay-at-home-order to beginning March 23 at 11:59 pm.

FRIDAY MARCH 20

• 9:00 AM: Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff signs executive order imposing price controls on basic necessities and possible jail time for violators.

THURSDAY MARCH 19

• 11:59 AM: Texas Governor Greg Abbott files executive order closing all bars, restaurants, and schools. Limits social gatherings to no more than 10 people.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18

• 12:20 PM: City of Corpus Christi and Nueces County sign order limiting mass gatherings to 50 people. Exemptions made for public and private schools, transit areas, and grocery stores.

TUESDAY MARCH 17

• 5:00 PM: San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg orders bars and restaurants to close indefinitely. Allows restaurants to continue operating as drive-thrus, curbside pickups, and delivery services.
• 4:37 PM: U.S. Congress passes a coronavirus relief package including free conoravirus testing, Medicaid funding, unemployment insurance for those without work, and paid sick leave for up to 3 million Texans.

TUESDAY MARCH 17

• 3:29 PM: Texas Governor Greg Abbott activates Texas National Guard to assist in COVID-19 response; grants waiver to add hospital bed capacity.

MONDAY MARCH 16

• 6:46 PM: Bexar County courts temporarily halt evictions to prevent people from losing their homes during coronavirus pandemic.
• 2:52 PM: San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg declares public health emergency prohibiting gatherings of more than 50 people.
• 9:36 AM: Texas Governor Greg Abbott waives State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) testing requirements for 2019-2020 school year.

SATURDAY MARCH 14

• 4:59 PM: The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center puts out call for blood donations to combat blood driver cancellations, drop in donors.
• 10:48 AM: Texas Governor Greg Abbott waives commercial trucking regulations to expedite delivery of supplies to retailers.

FRIDAY MARCH 13

• 2:15 PM: President Donald Trump declares a national emergency to bolster funding for fighting coronavirus pandemic.
• 1:02 PM: Texas Governor Greg Abbott declares statewide public health disaster. Authorizes the use of all resources needed to respond to COVID-19.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) FAQ

What Is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus is being used as a shorthand for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is part of a family of viruses that can cause respiratory illness in people. COVID-19 is one of seven types of known human coronaviruses along with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus.

How Many Cases Are There in the U.S.?

As of July 20, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is aware of 3,761,362 confirmed cases in the United States which have resulted in a total of 140,157 deaths. Please note, these counts are likely to change.

How Does Coronavirus (COVID-19) Spread?

The virus is spread mainly from person-to-person. This includes between people who are within close contact to one another (within roughly 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

It may also be possible to get coronavirus (COVID-19) by touching a surface that the virus is on then touching one’s own mouth, nose, or eyes.

How Easily Does the Virus Spread?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is highly contagious and has spread to the point of being labelled a pandemic. Different parts of the country are experiencing different levels of activity, but the country as a whole remains in the initiation phase. It is likely more cases will be confirmed as the virus continues to spread and increased testing identifies new cases.

What are the Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Symptoms most often reported in cases of coronavirus include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. If you develop shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or bluish lips or face, you should seek emergency medical attention immediately

Do I Need to be Tested for Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

If you develop symptoms like fever, cough, or shortness of breath, and have been in close contact with a person know to have coronavirus (COVID-19) or have recently traveled from an area with widespread case of coronavirus (COVID-19), then the CDC advises that you remain at home and contact your healthcare provider.

Your doctor will be able to determined if your symptoms suggest coronavirus (COVID-19) infection and whether or not you should be tested.

How Can I Protect Myself and Family from Infection?

The best action you and your loved ones can take to prevent infection is washing your hands. It is recommended that you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. You may also wash your hands often throughout the day.

Other preventive measures include avoiding close contact with people who are sick and through practicing social distancing (i.e. avoiding groups of people whenever possible.)

Who is Most At Risk for Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Those at a higher risk of coronavirus infection include:

• Older adults
• People with serious underlying medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease
• People with Asthma
• Pregnant women
• People with HIV
• People with compromised or weakened immune symptoms

What Legal Options Do I Have If I Contract Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

How coronavirus-related litigation may work has been the topic of several articles, particularly those dealing with exposure that occurred on cruise ships and in nursing homes.

There are several factors to consider when it comes to the viability of a coronavirus (COVID-19) lawsuit – and because of the unique circumstances surrounding the pandemic, each potential claim would have to be reviewed on a case-by-case scenario.

The best thing you can do if you have questions about obtaining compensation for an infection caused by negligence or reckless behavior is contact an experienced injury attorney for a free consultation and case review.

Is My Attorney Still Working on My Claim?

Yes. Our attorneys and supporting staff will continue to work throughout this event. We remain available 24/7, nights and weekends, and our robust technology and telecommunication systems allow us to represent our clients and pursue their claims without interruption.

Can I File a New Personal Injury Claim During Coronavirus?

Yes. Accidents are still going to occur during the coronavirus pandemic, and people will still need access to experienced personal injury attorneys. If you have been injured in an accident and have questions concerning your options, or if you have contacted another attorney and have doubts about their ability to properly represent you during COVID-19, call Thomas J. Henry Law immediately for a FREE case review.