HITCHCOCK MAYOR RANDY STRICKLIND has been pleased with the effort he has seen from his community in the wake of the Coronavirus and knows they will continue to step up as the crisis keeps Hitchcock – and the rest of the world – in an uncertain standstill.
“Most of them are paying heed to the news,” he said during a Monday afternoon conversation. “With the exception of a few pockets, they’re doing what they’re supposed to do because they understand the seriousness of the situation.”
Stricklind believes he and other 12 mayors of Galveston County will have to decide if extending the current stay at home order, originally scheduled to end on Friday morning, will have to be pushed further, especially since President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that social distancing will be pushed to at least April 30.
Galveston County had 70 confirmed cases as of Sunday evening, but the number is expected to rise as more testing becomes available.
A possible extension means a continued closing of schools throughout the area. While all districts are beginning to adjust to online courses, Strickland showed empathy for the students who are still hoping to experience milestone moments they have waited years for.
“Obviously, there are a lot of kids who are looking forward to graduation along with those who will be making the jump from junior high to high school,” he said. “This is indeed a great impact on them, but safety has to come first when it comes to this.”
That there had been numerous gatherings on Galveston Island before the beaches were officially shut down over the weekend came as a surprise to Strickland, who also felt a sense of concern about the lack of seriousness that has come from some in the county.
“Galveston is a big tourist community and a lot of the business count on that to make money,” he said, “but the fact they are closing these places should be a sign of just how important it is for us to practice social distancing.
“We’re best served trusting the judgement of those who understand this better than most of us do,” added Stricklind. “I wouldn’t want to come back too early and run the risk of furthering the number of those who have been diagnosed with it.”
