SAN ANGELO, Texas — Texas is the second-largest state in the United States, filled with different types of towns and cities with varying population sizes, economic statuses and ways of life.
Which is why San Angelo Chamber of Commerce President Walter Koenig thinks West Texas cities should be given more leniency when placing restrictions on social gatherings meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"The request that we’ve made on behalf of the West Texas area is to not have a one-size-fits-all program that includes all of the I-35 corridor metropolises in the same discussion with some of the smaller communities. We have different types of challenges and we're definitely at different stages of the recovery process. San Angelo, with relatively few cases and a very large and capable hospital capacity, should not be treated the same way as Dallas, Austin, or some of the other, more densely affected areas," Koenig said.
To put it in perspective: Tom Green County has 44 confirmed cases, while Dallas County has 3,105.
Koeing praised Gov. Greg Abbott's handling of COVID-19, saying the governor has been very "prudent." He thinks the City of San Angelo has and will continue to follow the governor's orders, while also trying to with local government officials to receive approval from the state to implement more lenient restrictions.
“Adhering to the guidelines as mandated through the governor’s office in Austin is something that we will do. Our elected officials are at the front end of this. We are obviously working with the elected officials to get the messaging out to say that we want the rural communities who are less affected and less benefiting from distancing strategy to be allowed more latitude. That mandate will come from the state, to the counties, to the local municipalities, as it should be. I mean, we're certainly not getting ahead of that, but we are working to influence that process," Koenig said.
He added he and other members of the Chamber meet with local government officials and various economic development organizations daily to make sure businesses not only get through the COVID-19 crisis, but also come out on the other side in a position to recover.
“We’re all working together during this crisis to marshal our resources and bring to bear a number of services on behalf of our business community here; including the facilitation of disbursement of federal funds through the PPP and other funding programs, mentoring, encouragement, and communications.." he said.
More developments will be made on May 1, when Gov. Abbott is allowing retail stores, malls and restaurants to operate with 25% occupancy.