The State of Texas: Abbott stops short of "stay-at-home," orders only "non-essential services" to close

Plus, a college spring break trip spawns a cluster of COVID-19 cases, and a federal appellate court upholds Texas's abortion ban. [View in browser]( [7 Independent Texans Breaking Boundaries](  [Texas Monthly][Texas Monthly](    The State of Texas   April 1, 2020 In today's State of Texas: Abbott orders new restrictions, a college spring break trip spawns a cluster of COVID-19 cases, and a federal appellate court upholds Texas's abortion ban –Leif Reigstad  Editor's Pick   news [U.S. Hospitals Have a Ventilator Shortage. A Team of Rice Engineers Say They Have a Solution.]( The device they've designed has piqued the interest of government officials and large manufacturers hoping to address the coronavirus crisis. [Read Story]( By peter holley Quote of the Day "While younger people have less risk for complications, they are not immune from severe illness and death from COVID-19." —Dr. Mark Escott to the [Austin American-Statesman]( on 28 UT-Austin students testing positive for COVID-19 after a spring break trip.  The State of Texas  Abbott extends statewide restrictions Governor Greg Abbott ordered that only "essential services" could remain open across the state, stopping short of orders issued by many other governors. "In a round of verbal gymnastics, Abbott refused to call the action a 'stay at home order,' saying Texans are still allowed to exercise outside and run necessary errands—activities which counties that have adopted such orders also permit," writes the [Dallas Morning News](. The Texas Department of Emergency Management website has published a [long list of "essential" activities]( ranging from exercise to grocery shopping to attending church. The decision came after public health experts, state legislators, and civil rights advocates had [pressured him for weeks to strengthen statewide restrictions]( on public movement. Abbott also extended school closures until at least May 4. UT-Austin students test positive after spring break trip Twenty-eight University of Texas students tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from a spring break trip to Mexico, public health officials announced Tuesday. The [Austin American-Statesman]( reports that a group of seventy twentysomethings left Austin on a chartered plane about a week and a half ago. After they returned—some of them on commercial flights—28 individuals tested positive for COVID-19, four of whom were asymptomatic. "The incident is a reminder of the vital importance of taking seriously the warnings of public health authorities on the risks of becoming infected with COVID-19 and spreading it to others," a UT-Austin spokesman said Tuesday. Abortion ban back in place after appellate court decision Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's decision to ban most abortions during the COVID-19 outbreak was upheld by a federal appellate court on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after it was blocked by a federal district judge. [BuzzFeed News]( reports that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the judge's ruling that temporarily halted Paxton's ban on abortions, which was originally challenged in court by a group of abortion services providers. The abortion ban came on March 23, a day after Governor Abbott issued an executive order halting any medically unnecessary procedures—Paxton explicitly applied that order to non-life-saving abortions. SPONSORED [7]( Texans Breaking Boundaries]( In a new series, we highlight seven Texans who embody the Lone Star State’s independent spirit. From a graffiti artist championing the Houston street art scene to a DIY YouTuber making a career from scratch, these Texans are breaking boundaries across industries and the state. [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    travel & outdoors [Planting Wildflowers in a Pandemic]( A Houston poet laureate on the hopeful defiance of her bluebonnets. By DEBORAH D.E.E.P. MOUTOn    Food & Drink [Taco of the Week: Birria Quesitacos at El Remedio]( While other governors have taken an aggressive approach to curbing COVID-19, Greg Abbott has favored smaller measures. By JOSÉ R. RALAT    Top Headlines  - [Inside the Story of How H-E-B Planned for the Pandemic]( - [Joe Exotic: A Dark Journey Into the World of a Man Gone Wild]( - [U.S. Hospitals Have a Ventilator Shortage. A Team of Rice Engineers Say They Have a Solution.]( - [Why Is Texas So Far Behind Other States in Responding to the Coronavirus?]( - [“This Is a Matter of Survival”](   [7 Independent Texans Breaking Boundaries ](    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