04/16/20 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

By Madyson Sanchez
News Reporter

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Hays County Local Health Department reported eight new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases overnight and today, bringing the total cases in Hays County to 117.

There are 19 COVID-19 tests still pending and awaiting results.  

State Representative Erin Zwiener will host two virtual town hall meetings via Facebook Live next Wednesday, April 22 and Thursday, April 23 to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues Central Texas residents are facing.  

Congressman Lloyd Doggett and Executive Director of the Buda Area Chamber of Commerce J.R. Gonzales will join Rep. Zwiener to inform residents about the COVID-19 response and available programs.

The meetings will focus on the CARE Act, implications of COVID-19 on climate policy and available COVID-19 recovery resources like Paycheck Protection Program, EIDL Loan Advance, SBA Express Bridge Loans, and SBA Debt Relief.  

The League of Women Voters of Texas celebrated a victory after a federal judge ruled late Wednesday that Texas voters can cite COVID-19 as a “disability” requirement on mail-in ballot request forms. 

Earlier this month, LWV of Texas and the Austin Area filed a motion to intervene in the mail-in ballot case. The groups asked the court to rule that “disability” in Texas law includes all registered voters since the COVID-19 pandemic prevents voters from safely attending their polling location.  

“This is truly a victory and exalts the Texas judiciary as a shining example of how to balance the constitutional right to vote with legitimate health and safety concerns,” said Chris Carson, president of the board of directors of the League of Women Voters of the United States in an April 16 press release. “The League is no stranger to these lawsuits across the country, and we will continue to work on behalf of voters nationwide to expand and protect access to the ballot in these unprecedented times.”