GOV. ABBOTT SAYS ‘NO MORE SHUTDOWNS’ AS VACCINES DISTRIBUTED IN TEXAS

  

As COVID-19 vaccines are distributed across Texas, Governor Greg Abbott vowed an end to shutdowns caused by the pandemic.

On Thursday, Abbott announced that over 200,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be delivered to hospitals and healthcare facilities around the state by the week’s end.  He said he expects the state will receive 1.4 million vaccine doses before the end of the year, pending approval of the Moderna vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Abbott stressed that he will not force any more businesses to close, saying it is “time to put shutdowns behind us.”  He said there will be “no more shutdowns” because “people’s lives have been crushed” as a result, and that the state needs to “focus on opening up businesses.”

Abbott said every adult in the state knows what COVID-19 is, how to protect themselves from it, and how to prevent spreading it.  He said if citizens continue following safe practices, the virus can be contained while the state vaccinates residents and continues opening up.

Vaccines will first be given to healthcare workers and residents at long-term care facilities.  Abbott said he plans to take the vaccine, but will wait until those at the greatest risk receive it first.