Transcript of Judge’s March 26 Update

Publisher’s Note: A request was sent in for a transcript of Judge Leward LaFleur’s update. The Herald has posted that here along with a copy of the video. The Herald will try to offer this service after each live update.

Transcript with Timestamps from the Video:

0:07
Good afternoon Marion County, as you well know the virus situation is an extremely serious situation and it’s also very unprecedented. We each try to cope with this the best that we know how and moving forward.

0:23
It’s extremely important for all of us to remain calm. Follow the directives of President Trump and Governor Abbott, most importantly, follow the directives and recommendations of the Center for Disease Control. I’ll go over those again. Number one stay at home, if at all possible, you have no reason to be out just stay at home. Number two, practice social distancing six foot perimeter around you and everyone you’re around.

0:53
Number three, wash your hands is as much as possible. And number four sanitize often. In such an altered situation our situation is. We, the county has been sending out a lot of information responses and directives.

1:11
We have an extremely detailed emergency management plan that was implemented in 2004. And it’s continually being updated. Almost yearly.

1:28
But as you know, our world, nation, and state could have never predicted this tragedy.

1:34
We as a county must be united in this fight.

1:39
Our president, our governor, and your Marion County government have been actively watching data, gathering information, and listening to the advice of medical experts. That’s the most important key. Those are the folks that know what to do about this thing.

1:57
This is a new war with no rules. This virus has no discretion. And it doesn’t discriminate.

2:06
We must continue in our efforts of mitigation to slow the spread of COVID-19.

2:13
We must be responsible for our families, and our neighbors, and our friends.

2:19
Today, the governor had a press conference and I’m going to go over some of the statistics of the state that he covered today in his press conference. Last Friday, the state had conducted somewhere around 2,335 COVID-19 tests.

2:37
Today, the state has done over 21,000. So that’s, again, they’re ramping up; getting supplies getting tests; getting things done. What the numbers are telling us, obviously, is the more tests that the state is being able to conduct the more positives we’re getting back.

3:01
Last Friday, there were only 97 confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the state of Texas today that numbers at 1,424. On a good note, less than 10%, of the people who have been tested, come back as a positive. So that’s a really good number, really good figure.

3:28
Yesterday I think I reported that they were at 83 counties in the state of Texas who reported a confirmed case of the corona virus today that numbers jumped up to 90 counties. Rresulting in the deaths of 18 people, I’d like to ask for you to pray for for their families.

3:47
100 people throughout the state of Texas are hospitalized today because of COVID-19. I don’t want you to think that oh that’s not a whole lot. Again, this is a really serious virus. And there’s a lot of people that are extremely vulnerable with this especially in Marion County. So while that number may not be large, again with the more tests that the state’s going to be conducting, the more positive we’re going to get back and all these numbers are going to grow.

4:19
One executive order the governor signed if you traveling into the state of Texas, from the tri-state area, New York Metroplex, there’s a 14 day self quarantine order. Also, the order extends to New Orleans, Louisiana, so if you’re coming into Texas from New Orleans you’ll have to register with the Texas Department of Public Safety and they’ll be monitoring those folks.

4:51
A few local counties with cases. I’ll go through those numbers quickly: Smith county is up to 21 cases and Smith County, resulting in one death. Gregg county has three confirmed cases, Morris has on. Upshur has one. Cass one case. A new confirmed case in Harrison County. They have one confirmed case in Harrison County to our south.

5:20
It is 315. As of right now. There are no known confirmed cases in Marion County.

5:31
In the days to come. Please pray for healthcare workers, all of them are first responders, our nation our state, and our beloved Marion County. When this is over. I’ll post information office number county cell phone number, and my email address. If you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19, please reach out and if I’ve got the answer, I’ll give it to you if I don’t, I’ll try to find it and get back with you. Other than that. Have a good afternoon.