The State of Texas: Governor Abbott activates National Guard amid coronavirus outbreak

Plus, more details on the first confirmed coronavirus death in Texas, and Jason Witten leaves the Dallas Cowboys. [View in browser]( [Texas Tech ](  [Texas Monthly][Texas Monthly](    The State of Texas   March 18, 2020 In today's State of Texas: Abbott activates the National Guard, more details on the first confirmed coronavirus death in Texas, and Jason Witten leaves the Dallas Cowboys. –Leif Reigstad  Editor's Pick   the culture [How One of Houston's Most Celebrated Rappers Started His Career in a Car]( Hip-hop mainstay Lil Keke tells the story of how he earned his musical chops driving around Houston. [Read Story]( By Lil Keke Quote of the Day "We should prepare, not panic, look at facts, not fear. And some people are at fear, other people are saying 'it's a hoax.' When people are dying, it's not a hoax." —Bay City mayor Robert Nelson to the [Houston Chronicle]( after resident Eddie Roberts became the first confirmed death in Texas from the coronavirus.  The State of Texas  Abbott activates the National Guard Governor Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that he is activating the Texas National Guard in response to the coronavirus outbreak, the [Texas Tribune]( reported. Abbott said that there is not yet the need to deploy the National Guard, but the activation puts Guard members on standby. The activation does not extend to first responders and health care workers. "I want to assure the public that this is a precautionary measure to make sure the Texas National Guard has the capability to serve at a moment's notice where they are needed most," Abbott said in a statement. As of Tuesday afternoon, Texas had reported 76 coronavirus cases and one confirmed death, according to the Tribune, though testing has been extremely limited so far. First confirmed coronavirus death in Texas was 97-year-old man Eddie F. Roberts, a 97-year-old Bay City resident and longtime funeral home director, died Sunday night after contracting the coronavirus. Roberts is the first confirmed death attributed to the virus in Texas. According to the [Houston Chronicle]( Roberts was hospitalized in Matagorda County for complications from pneumonia, but he was not immediately tested for COVID-19 because he didn't fit the government's strict requirements. He was eventually tested at some point after he was hospitalized, but the positive results did not come back until Monday, the day after Roberts passed away. Jason Witten signs deal with Las Vegas Jason Witten had spent every one of his sixteen seasons in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. Now, he'll likely finish his career with another team. Witten signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday, according to the [Dallas Morning News](. The 37-year-old is the Cowboys' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and games played. Witten told reporters last month that he wanted to return to Dallas, but the Cowboys seemed ready to move on, after signing tight end Blake Jarwin to a three-year extension on Monday. It'll be really weird to see him in another uniform next season. SPONSORED [Matrimony, Served Fresh!]( Hundreds of couples flocked to Whataburger to celebrate their love with weddings and vow renewal ceremonies in six different cities across Texas this Valentine’s Day! When your love is as big as a Bacon & Cheese Whataburger, where else would you go? [Learn More](    news [What You Should Know About the Coronavirus in Texas]( Here's a look at what we know so far about COVID-19. By texas monthly    politics [How Will the Oil Bust and the Coronavirus Affect the Texas Budget?]( Historically, the Lege has met shortfalls with tax increases or spending cuts. Whether Dems or the GOP are in power makes all the difference. By r.g. ratcliffe    [A laboratory technician prepares COVID-19 patient samples for testing at a lab in New York.]( news [Getting Tested for COVID-19 in Texas Is Still Ridiculously Hard]( Governor Greg Abbott and President Donald Trump promised that testing will soon be dramatically increased, but many Texans are frustrated with delays. By meara isenberg    Top Headlines  - [What You Should Know About the Coronavirus in Texas]( - [Getting Tested for COVID-19 in Texas Is Still Ridiculously Hard]( - [Inside One of the Service Industry’s Riskiest Jobs During the Coronavirus Crisis]( - [The Best Thing in Texas: Whataburger Delivered Food to H-E-B Employees]( - [Franklin Barbecue Pits Begins Building Its Backyard Smokers](   [Texas Tech](    Let's get social [Facebook](  [Instagram](  [Twitter](    [Texas Monthly]( PO Box 1569, Austin, TX 78767 You are receiving this message because you signed up for our newsletters. Want more? Check out our [other newsletters](. [Manage your preferences]( or [unsubscribe]( Â