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Connecting today’s news with the research & opinion you need.

The Good News

What to Know: COVID-19 cases seem to be surging in Texas. But the raw numbers are deceptive.

The TPPF Take: The fact is, COVID-19 deaths are trending down, even as increased testing shows more positives.

 

“We’ve become much better at treating COVID-19, so while hospitalizations are up, deaths are actually down,” says TPPF’s Chuck DeVore. “By comparison, in New York City, 584 people lost their lives to COVID-19 on April 7. Texas has more than three times the population of New York City. Our worst day of loss so far is less than one-tenth that of New York City. We all hope it stays that way.”

Hoping for the Worst

What to Know: Does it seem to you that some in the media actually want a “second wave” of the pandemic? Two physicians say the data is being distorted to fit a narrative.

The TPPF Take: Texas remains one of the safest places to be amid the coronavirus pandemic.

 

“The reality is that Texas’ fatality rate per active case has declined to about a third of where it was six weeks ago, and the state remains one of the better success stories in avoiding the worst effects of the outbreak,” says TPPF’s Kevin Roberts. “From the beginning of the outbreak, Texans have shown the ability to do what’s right for each other and their communities.”

Please Don't Panic

What to Know: A leading hospital administrator warns against panic. Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council president and CEO Stephen Love says we have plenty of capacity for COVID-19 patients.

 

The TPPF Take: Texas is well-positioned to deal with COVID-19.

 

“We have ICU beds available for COVID-19 patients, and even in the areas that are seeing a surge, we have the ability to transport patients to less-crowded facilities,” says TPPF’s Vance Ginn. “That’s what we did after Hurricane Harvey. It’s important that we tell the whole story.”