Texas’ GOP governor is now asking for out-of-state help for COVID surge after banning mask mandates – By Igor Derysh (Salon) / Aug 11 2021
Texas Governor Greg Abbott refuses to enact mitigation measures as ICUs fill up across the state
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday called on hospitals to delay elective procedures and said he is working to find out-of-state medical workers to assist with an alarming surge of COVID patients that has quickly filled up the state’s ICUs.
The Republican governor sent a letter to the Texas Hospital Association asking hospitals to “voluntarily postpone elective medical procedures” in order to free up beds for Covid patients. Abbott said in a statement that he has also directed the state’s health department to use staffing agencies to find out-of-state medical staff to address staffing shortages. The state will also open antibody infusion centers and expand vaccine availability in an effort to reduce the hospitalization numbers.
Some hospitals in states that have seen large infection surges have already started delaying procedures, which may pose serious health risks. Nevada law professor Michael Kagan told CNN on Tuesday that his cancer surgery was pushed back because there were not enough recovery beds.
“So basically I have untreated deadly cancer,” he told the network, adding that “it could spread to another part of my body or it can grow and cause a much greater problem so I’m just living with a time bomb and just letting it tick down basically because I’m not getting any treatment.”
