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County extends stay-at-home order through April Turner announced the city’s fourth death from the upperrespiratory disease caused by the new strain of coronavirus, which has infected at least 680 residents of the city and county.

Citing advice and data from medical professionals in the region, Turner said the Houston area is projected to see a peak of COVID-19 cases in early May if the social distancing guidelines enacted a week earlier continue to be followed. If citizens do not co-

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com Houstonians have been told to hunker down for another month.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said Tuesday that she is extending her “stayat-home, work-safe” order, which applies to the county as well as the City of Houston, through the end of April to help the region cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Houston Mayor Sylvester

City opens testing site at Delmar Stadium

Page 8A Schools closed until May

Page 8A Lina Hidalgo

operate, he said the disease’s impact on the community will last longer and be more severe.

“Now is not the time to scale back our order. It’s time to double down,” Hidalgo said. “We have not yet started to flatten the curve.”

Under the order, which can be viewed at readyharris.org/Stay-Home, residents must stay at home except for essential reasons such as to See Stay Home P. 8A

Exercising caution

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Photo from citgo6coalition.org Alirio Zambrano, left, has a lighthearted moment with his three daughters, Alexandra, Gabriela and Vanessa. Zambrano is one of the six Citgo executives who have been detained in Venezuela since 2017. Alexandra Forseth lives in Oak Forest.

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Fears of ‘Citgo 6’ families amplified by pandemic

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Derailed? The Texas company trying to build a high-speed railway recently laid off employees.

ers who responded to The Leader’s Facebook inquiry about exercising during the pandemic. Many said they are working out at home, in some cases using digital video conferencing to receive instruction and inspiration from personal trainers or local gyms and yoga studios, while

The men’s families already feared for their safety.

A pandemic has pushed their worries into overdrive.

The six Citgo executives who have been detained in Venezuela since November 2017 – one of whom has a daughter who lives in Oak Forest – are locked in the same cell in a Caracas prison called El Helicoide, according to another one of their relatives in the Houston area.

The men are all at least 55 years old and have no access to healthcare or running water, which puts them at risk for contracting COVID-19 and developing serious complications from the upper-respiratory disease caused by the new strain of coronavirus.

The detained relatives of Oak Forest resident Alexandra Forseth – her father, Alirio Zambrano, and uncle, Jose Luis Zambrano – also have underlying health conditions. They both have chronic hypertension, according to Forseth’s sister, Gabriela Zambrano Hill, and Alirio also suffers from sleep apnea.

“My family, we are terrified,” Hill said. “Their health has been suffering for two or three years now. If they were to get sick, they would probably die.”

The other detained men, known as the Citgo 6, are Gustavo Cardenas, Jose Pereira, Jorge Toledo and Tomeu Vadell. Five are dual citizens, and the other is a legal U.S. resident.

Their relatives say they were called to Venezuela for an impromptu meeting before Thanksgiving 2017 and then arrested by the regime of Nicolas Maduro. Houston-based Citgo is a subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), a state-run oil and gas company.

Relatives of the men say they were accused of trying to make decisions that would finan-

See Exercise, P. 8A

See Citgo 6, P. 8A

Page 1B Photo by Adam Zuvanich White Oak Bayou Greenway Trail along T.C. Jester Boulevard is a popular spot for runners, walkers and cyclists, especially during Harris County’s stay-at-home, work safe order.

Area residents utilizing outdoors for workouts

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com Make yourself count. A mural in Montrose tells people to participate in the census.

Page 7A

Teachers on parade. Travis Elementary teachers paraded through the Woodland Heights.

Page 4B

On call. The City of Houston is considering using a former area hospital for COVID-19 overflow.

Page 4A

THE INDEX. Church....................................................... 4A Classifieds.............................................. 5A Coupons. ................................................. 3B Food/Drink/Art................................... 7A Obituaries.............................................. 4A Opinion. ................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 3A

Area residents cannot go to their favorite gyms or neighborhood yoga studios, at least not for another month. Swimming pools are off limits, too, and so are basketball courts.

As for the outdoors, it’s wide open during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With many businesses closed and social distancing required under the “stay-at-home, work safe” order issued by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who on Tuesday extended the order through the end of April, many people in the Heights, Garden Oaks and Oak Forest areas are spending most of their time cooped up in their houses, apartments or townhomes. But they can enjoy a reprieve by exercising outside – as long as they stay at least 6 feet away from each other.

So walks, runs and bicycle rides have become increasingly popular as the weather warms up and local residents aim to stay safe, stay in shape and stay sane.

“I think getting out exercising

Photo by Adam Zuvanich A father and his two young boys ride their bikes in the Woodland Heights neighborhood last week.

right now is great, and hopefully those who weren’t as active before will keep it up,” area resident Jennifer Graves wrote on Facebook. “Exercise keeps our stress low, which keeps our immune system strong. I went for a run/walk (Monday night) and everyone was super considerate about giving each other space.”

Graves was one of several read-

Community members make masks to meet need

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

Before COVID-19, Merin Guthrie was cranking along in her role as founder and CEO of Kit, a custom women’s clothing business with a design studio in the Heights.

Now, her business is still brisk, but Kit employees are making masks, not clothes, to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19 infection.

Guthrie had heard about the need for masks from media reports and through

personal connections.

“When I had the feeling that we were going to shelter in place, I wondered if we could make masks,” Guthrie said.

The answer was a resounding yes.

The pattern that Guthrie’s seamstresses are using is a cloth mask that ties around the head, and features a pocket for a filter. Guthrie said research is ongoing for a safe, effective filter that could be used in the pocket to protect wearers. The

masks are reusable, machine washable and worn over the N95 respirator and surgical masks for an extra degree of protection and to perhaps extend the life of a medical mask.

“We blew through all our fabric and then reached out to quilters for donations,” Guthrie said.

So far, Guthrie’s employees have made 1,600 masks, which have gone to medical facilities in New York, WashSee Masks, P. 8A

Contributed photo David Valdez, a Kit employee, sews masks to be used medical personnel in the United States.

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As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Harris County Tax Office is granting a three-month extension on all 12-month property tax payment plans.

Property owners with such installment payment plans will not have to make payments for March, April or May of this year, according to a news release from Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Ann Harris Bennett.

The next required payments

would be due on or before June 30 and would be payable on a monthly basis from June until the end of the property owner’s initial property tax payment agreement deadline,

according to the release.

“I hope this extension helps ease property owners’ burdens during this critical time,” Bennett said.

The county said those who receive the payment extension must contact the tax office prior to payment as the final amount due will have changed.

Property owners with questions or seeking additional information can contact the Harris County Tax Office at 713-274-8000 or email tax.office@hctx.net.

h o m e y o u r f i n d t o

landan@theleadernews.com

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By Landan Kuhlmann

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824 Nicholson, $990s Brigette Larson, 713.829.1539 t.

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Harris County Tax Office grants delinquent property tax reprieve

P R O P E R T I E S

The Leader • Saturday, April 4, 2020 • Page 2A

GREENWOOD KING

THE PUBLIC.

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Police Reports • March 23 - 28 MARCH 23

Theft 3 AM 100 BLOCK E 28TH Theft 6 PM 600 BLOCK WOODLAND Assault 6 AM 300 BLOCK W 19TH Theft 9 AM 2100 BLOCK YALE Theft 7 AM 300 BLOCK E 37TH Assault 8 PM 600 BLOCK E 43RD Assault 8 AM 300 BLOCK CROSSTIMBERS Burglary 2 AM 7800 BLOCK N SHEPHERD

MARCH 24

Robbery 3 PM 4300 BLOCK AIRLINE Vandalism 7 PM 1600 BLOCK W 14TH Theft 10 PM 5000 BLOCK E CROSSTIMBERS Theft 7 PM 600 BLOCK E 25TH Robbery 10 PM 5000 BLOCK E CROSSTIMBERS Assault 8 PM 300 BLOCK HEIDRICH Theft 11 PM 1800 BLOCK SHEPHERD

MARCH 25

Vandalism 1 AM 1000 BLOCK W 24TH Theft 2 PM 300 BLOCK W 19TH Theft 5 PM 1200 BLOCK YALE Theft 1 PM 400 BLOCK N LOOP Assault 1 PM 300 BLOCK NEYLAND Assault 10 AM 1400 BLOCK E 36TH Vandalism 11 PM 300 BLOCK CROSSTIMBERS Other 8 AM 00 BLOCK E CROSSTIMBERS Arrest 6 PM 500 BLOCK STUDE-

WOOD Vandalism 5 AM 1300 BLOCK CROSSTIMBERS Other 1 AM 1000 BLOCK W 24TH

Theft 6 PM 2100 BLOCK WHITE OAK Burglary 9 PM 200 BLOCK NORVIEW Theft 6 AM 300 BLOCK W 25TH Theft 8 AM 1300 BLOCK TULANE Vandalism 12 AM 200 BLOCK W 31ST Theft 6 PM 800 BLOCK E 37TH Robbery 9 PM 4400 BLOCK YALE Theft 10 PM 400 BLOCK S HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 8 PM 400 BLOCK S HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 4 PM 500 BLOCK CROSSTIMBERS Theft 8 PM 1900 BLOCK WHITE OAK Vandalism 2 AM 400 BLOCK W 30TH

MARCH 26

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Theft 8 PM 1400 BLOCK NASHUA Theft 7 PM 900 BLOCK E 32ND Theft 10 PM 2800 BLOCK AIRLINE Theft 9 PM 800 BLOCK HIGHLAND Other 5 AM 300 BLOCK W 19TH Theft 1 AM 2900 BLOCK YALE Burglary 8 PM 1600 BLOCK NORTHWOOD Theft 12 PM 300 BLOCK GARDEN OAKS BLVD Assault 4 PM 1000 BLOCK VOIGHT Vandalism 2 PM 4300 BLOCK YALE Other 3 PM 4700 BLOCK INKER

Assault 8 PM 1100 BLOCK NICHOLSON Assault 8 PM 400 BLOCK E 43RD Assault 7 PM 500 BLOCK ENID Theft 2 PM 500 BLOCK PECORE Vandalism 10 AM 1000 BLOCK VOIGHT Assault 10 AM 1000 BLOCK VOIGHT Assault 7 PM 2800 BLOCK N SHEPHERD Assault 3 PM 200 BLOCK NORVIEW Burglary 11 AM 7200 BLOCK N SHEPHERD Assault 12 AM 3300 BLOCK BAYOU

MARCH 27

Reports are provided by SpotCrime.com based on data from the Houston Police Department.

Theft 3 PM 800 BLOCK W 27TH Theft 2 AM 1500 BLOCK BEVIS

1330 Heights Boulevard, $980s Amanda Anhorn, 713.256.5123

7006 River Rapids Lane, $340s Jason Knebel, 713.232.9712 rk

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1707 Stacy Crest, $400s Amanda Anhorn, 713.256.5123

THE TOPICS. The Leader • Saturday, April 4, 2020 • Page 3A

Are supermarkets safe places to shop?

H ouston Mayor Sylvester Turner made a tour of our area last Sunday, visiting a shuttered hospital in Shady Acres and then making stops at the H-E-B grocery store in the Heights as well as the Kroger on West 43rd Street.

At the latter two stops, Turner walked the stores with executives for each company, surveyed their stock and took stock of their social distancing practices. We know this because Turner posted photos of himself on Twitter as well as a short video with Joe Kelley, the president of Kroger’s Houston division, in which they thanked the store’s employees for being on the front line of the region’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some who responded to the Twitter posts thanked Turner for visiting the neighborhood and showing his support for the grocery stores, which are important to all of us as we adhere to Harris County’s stayat-home, work safe order and eat more meals at home. But many were critical of the mayor, because some of the photos showed him violating social distancing guidelines by standing closer than 6 feet from Kelley, H-E-B executive Scott McClelland and others.

In one of the photos, Turner was even fist-bumping a customer.

“I get boosting morale but we must practice what we preach,” wrote one Twitter user. “A photo

Adam

Zuvanich Editor

says a thousand words. The severity of COVID-19 is not portrayed in this image. Social distancing is what will save this country. Being in close proximity with people will only perpetuate the spread.”

Emailed questions to Turner’s media relations staff about his visits to the grocery stores – seeking his thoughts on their social distancing practices as well as the backlash he received – were unanswered.

His critics certainly make a good point, although I’m hesitant to be too tough on the mayor over this. He has probably been out and about more than any other Houstonian during the last two weeks, which is part of his job but also commendable.

During a scary time for the world, and not just our city, it’s important for our leaders to demonstrate that life can and should go on, even if we must make significant adjustments.

As Turner has repeatedly told us, based on advice he’s received from Houston’s medical professionals, it’s also important to stay away from

Photo from Twitter Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner fist bumps a customer last Sunday at Kroger at 1352 W. 43rd St.

each other right now. That’s why restaurants’ dining rooms are closed, why churches are utilizing online services and why non-essential businesses have been forced to do business remotely or halt their operations altogether.

The necessity of social distancing as we combat COVID-19, the upper-respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus strain, leads to a significant question about the grocery stores Turner visited on Sunday: Are they safe places to be as we try to slow the spread of COVID-19, which has infected at least hundreds of people in the Houston area and already led to multiple deaths?

Based on what I’ve read, heard and seen – both in photos, in person and by driving past crowded supermarket parking lots – the answer is

Lynn Ashby Columnist

worry by watching news from the White House. Early on, President Trump complained on Twitter that the “Fake News Media” and Democrats were doing everything to “inflame the Corona Virus situation” while he claimed the “risk is low to the average American.” He also predicted that positive cases in the country would soon reach “zero.” Then the situation got worse, and Trump suddenly changed his tune. “I’ve always known this is a real -- this is a pandemic. I felt it was a pandemic long before it was called a pandemic.”

His nose grew another inch.

Schools, most stores and cockfights are closed, but toilet paper is still on the market for as little as $150 a roll. Any gathering of 250 people or more is prohibited, unless they are lined up outside the ER entrance at a hospital. My broker won’t return my phone calls.

DAY 14 – I finish “War” and am beginning “Peace.” Wonder if some people are singing the Statler Brothers song that goes: “Counting flowers on the wall, that don’t bother me at all. Playing solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty one.

Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo. Now don’t tell me I’ve nothing to do.” The TV news is interviewing people who know people who have heard of the virus.

Our food supply is holding up well. I really like oatmeal for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“Social distancing” is the key word – stay at least 6 feet away from contact with others. This makes talking on the phone difficult. Gun stores say there is a run on guns. Some fear that officials — particularly if a Democrat is elected to the White House later this year — will try to limit or restrict access to firearms.

DAY 19 -- We are told not to touch our face. That explains my bad breath and beard. I check my stock portfolio. Now I know why they’re called “brokers.” As with any event these days, people choose sides. I prefer those who are minimizing this pandemic by comparing it to other deaths. Heather Mac Donald at the Manhattan Institute, writes that deaths so far in the pandemic make up .000012 percent of the U.S. population. “By comparison, there were 38,800 traffic fatalities in the United States in 2019. That represents an average of over one hundred traffic deaths every day.” Going on: “Even assuming that coronavirus deaths in the United States increase by a factor of one thousand over the year, the resulting deaths

wiping down carts and socialdistancing signs and clear plastic shields between customers and cashiers, all of which were appreciated.

But those shields were no more than about a foot wide and a foot tall, which means they probably wouldn’t do much if someone on either side of it coughs or sneezes up a storm.

Of course, we all need to eat to survive, which means we need to buy food, and we’re supposed to stay home as often as possible until the end of April. So the need for groceries isn’t going away.

What’s my solution to this conundrum? I don’t have a simple one in this unsettling, unprecedented time.

I’ve been doing most of my grocery shopping at a local Mexican market that’s small and only allows five customers inside at a time. I also found a nearby farmers market that’s open air and also not very crowded.

I may place another H-E-B curbside order before the stay-at-home order is lifted – earlier this week it was extended through April – and I suspect we may get to a point where grocery stores are restricted to curbside or delivery services and don’t allow customers inside.

Would that be feasible for us or those essential businesses? I’m not sure, but I know it would be safer than what’s going on now.

Email azuvanich@theleadernews. com.

THE READER.

Alone among millions DAY 1 – I have everything I need to self-quarantine and thus avoid catching the Dos Equis virus, or the Tequila Mockingbird, whatever it’s called. Ah, the coronavirus.

Must have come from drinking that Mexican beer. Some call the sickness the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, although President Trump calls it the China virus. An aide referred to the Kung Flu. Anyway, we were told to stay away from everyone else, and stock up on necessities. That explains my 43 bottles of Smirnoff and the eight boxes of cigars. My food supply is adequate, although the pantry has “use by” markings going back to Christmas.

Isn’t it a shame so many people are hording?

DAY 3 – Houston announces the shutdown of bars and clubs -- on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day. Staying away from other people isn’t so unusual.

People have stayed away from me most of my adult life. Still, I avoid most riots. I do miss watching sports on TV, but notice that ESPN is showing the 1978 Rose Bowl and panels of aging jocks, sitting behind a long desk, discussing the subtle nuances of permanent disabilities. TV news is all about the virus, with experts now telling us we should have started planning for it earlier, and absolutely no one is taking responsibility for all the screwups. After watching so many TV warnings about touching contagious surfaces and the spread of germs, I wash my hands after every broadcast.

Same with opening the mail.

You never know which diseased neighbor mailed in his ticket to Publishers Clearing House. My broker says not to worry, this crash is only a slight hiccup.

The daily newspapers are also full of stories about the virus, and readers must be worried. I received a long email from The New York Times which read in part: “The World Health Organization has stated that it is safe to receive packages…This includes newspapers.” The Houston Chronicle says, “We have provided gloves to all our press workers and delivery agents.”

Even so, I disinfect my newspapers with a 30-minute fry in the microwave just in case.

DAY 7 – My wife is worried that we don’t have enough food to last through the quarantine. I tell her we have plenty. The TV news is interviewing people who have the virus. I begin reading “War and Peace.” Emails keep trying to sell me facemasks for a mere $75. Stores are being raided by shoppers buying Purell, food and toilet paper. Why toilet paper? Is there a run on the runs? Just to break our supply of meals, I order some food delivered. When the deliverer says: “Would you –ah-CHEW! – sign here just below by shaking hand?” I shut the door.

DAY 11 -- Actually, I got a late start on the pandemic

no.

Now, let me make it clear that I have not recently visited any of the grocery stores in the Heights, Garden Oaks or Oak Forest areas. I live about a 30-minute drive away in an outlying part of Harris County.

Let me also say that I love H-E-B, the Texas-based grocery chain that has good prices and great in-house products. Since I moved back to Texas from Missouri in 2016, it’s safe to say I’ve spent more money at HE-B than at any other business.

But I’ve been scared to go there for most of the last month, mostly because elected officials such as Turner keep telling us to avoid crowds. And there’s almost always a crowd at H-E-B, especially as people keep panic-buying.

Since the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo was called off on March 11, I’ve ventured into my local HE-B only once – after being underwhelmed by my first-ever curbside order, which required a wait of more than a week. And I only went inside because the parking lot was less full than usual.

It was quite the stressful experience, even though there were relatively few other customers in the store. It was impossible to stay 6 feet away from others at all times, and the COVID-19 precautions H-E-B put in place didn’t make me feel much safer.

Sure, they had employees outside

would only outnumber annual traffic deaths by 2,200.” She blames the press for creating hysteria. Others minimize the coronavirus by comparing it to the Bubonic Plague in the 14th century that killed an estimated 50 million people. Remind me to stay away from knights, court jesters and witches – and not to drive with Ms. MacDonald.

DAY 22 – Cabin fever is getting to us. I tell my wife it’s hard smoking a cigar while wearing a face mask. She suggests I go for a walk in the hospitals. Or take an ocean cruise.

TV reporters are interviewing each other. I start humming, “Counting flowers on the wall, that don’t bother me at all.”

Ashby is always quarantined at ashby2@comcast.net

Raise a banner to beacons we’ve elected

Dear Editor: Great editorial. Should be expounded to include our federal government as well. Let him without sin cast the first stone. We all have our shortcomings. That is not just a trait of people in the spotlight right now, it applies to me & you. Constantly makes me realize how much prayer is needed.

DD Dear Editor: I do not agree that our elected officials have done a good job with this “pandemic.” Why have these officials not explained to the public that all forms of the Coronavirus (discovered in the late 1960’s) have NEVER caused anything more than the common cold? Why have our elected officials blown the media into a frenzy of fear on behalf of this new form – one out of many types of coronavirus (again, common cold). It almost looks like that may have been done on purpose. The so-called news tells us that doctors and hospitals are begging for help, yet professionals that I know personally in medical property management say the opposite – that doctors offices and hospitals are empty.

This “pandemic” feels falsely hyped to me as though the “powers that be” want to terrorize

citizens. WHY? Well there are those trillions for starters.

Claire Johnson Dear Editor: Really? Where are these doctors who are sitting around twiddling their thumbs? I just had two friends in our community whose loved ones just passed away from this virus. What about Italy? You think that is fake news? Are you not seeing how fast this spreads? Thank goodness there are smart people looking out for us common folks by staying ahead of the curve.

Sean

Former Shady Acres hospital could help with COVID-19 response

Dear Editor: Need to be a little stricter on the stay at home policy because we still have people that don’t need to be out and about running the rules and this is not helping this virus. I think that people should be asked and checked on where they’re going and what they’re doing so this stay at home policy is made to work.

Angelia Romero

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

the leader Puzzlers.

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

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aCrOss 1. Newts 5. Taxis 9. Ski down these 11. Solace 13. Thieves of the sea 15. Diacritical mark 16. Frost 17. Enmities 19. Furnace for baking 21. Founder of female institute 22. Eight 23. Earl Grey and chamomile are two 25. Messenger ribonucleic acid 26. Dull, unproductive pattern of behavior 27. A large and hurried swallow 29. Large nests 31. A way to choose 33. Grocery store 34. Drains 36. Hawaiian wreath 38. Where fish live 39. Get rid of

41. Beyond, transcending 43. Uncastrated male sheep 44. Asserts 46. Snoopy and Rin Tin Tin are two 48. Windy City footballer 52. Green veggie 53. Director 54. Conditioning 56. Spoke foolishly 57. Legislative body 58. Square measures 59. Cheek

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12. Not slow 14. Thailand 15. Front of the eye 18. Kentucky town 41549 20. Extreme disgust 24. Not fast 26. Smelled bad 28. Portended 30. Leader 32. Comedian Noah 34. Course 35. Sloven 37. Perfect places 38. A vast desert in N. Africa 40. Monetary unit of Angola 42. Clerks 43. Canadian law enforcers 45. Without (French) 47. Having wisdom that comes with age 49. Delicacy (archaic) 50. Grows older 51. Bitterly regrets 55. It’s present in all living cells (abbr.)

WORD SCRAMBLE

Page 4A • Saturday, April 4, 2020 • The Leader

Former Shady Acres hospital could help with COVID-19 response

By Adam Zuvanich

used for any other necessity we may have.�

A spokesperson for Turner The City of Houston may said a deal is not yet in place utilize a former healthcare fabetween the city and the cility in Shady Acres as part of property owner, N W Doctors its response to COVID-19.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Plaza, LLC, which has offered Turner toured the former Kin- to make the space available. dred Hospital, which closed Turner also said it is not yet earlier this year at 1800 W. needed, with the region’s ex26th St., on Sunday. He said isting hospitals still under their the city is scoping out auxil- utilization limits.

Turner said the vacant Kiniary facilities that can be used dred property has 68 existing to increase the region’s hospital bed capacity and for other hospital beds and the capacity purposes, such as quaranating for about 100. It also has 21 first responders and other city beds in an intensive care unit. “If we needed it today, it’s employees as well as providready to be stood up today,� ing shelter for the homeless.

The Arts The Farm Petrolhave to Turner said.Stand “Allatwe’d “It’s a facility that’s now Station do is put in equipment and be The Flatlanders Saturday, Nov. 23 available,�

Turner said. “We Friday, Nov. 22 to go.�

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. wanted 7top.m. get an opportunity ready 948 Wakefield Dr. The city announced 54 new to tour itThejust in case we –need Heights Theater 339 W. Stand at Petrol StacasesThe of Farm COVID-19, the upper19th St. hospital bed cato expand our tion features goods from local disease caused by The Flatlanders is performing atrespiratory vendors. pacity or, quite frankly, to be azuvanich@theleadernews.com

THINGS TO DO.

positive as of Tuesday. The aration between each other. county reported its second “It’s not going to be a oneCOVID-19 death on Sunday, week-and-done (situation) or and 61 of the patients it has a two-week-and-done. We’ve identified have recovered. got be very patient,â€? Turner All of Harris County is un- said. “The virus will dictate der a “stay-at-home, work the schedule. We will not dicsafeâ€? order through April 30, tate the schedule.â€? meaning residents must stay Follow Adam Zuvanich on at home except for essential Twitter @AZuvanich reasons such as to exercise outside or obtain groceries, Experience and household items or medical Knowledge... care. Only businesses deemed A Powerful essential are allowed to operCombination November 23, 2019 • Page 5A Photo The fromLeader Twitter • Saturday, ate during the order. All citiHouston Mayor Sylvester Turner, center, speaks with the co713-906-5481 zens are asked to adhere to Realty Associates owners of the former Kindred Hospital at 1800 W. 26th St. The DEBBIE social distancing guidelines by ourrealtordebbie@aol.com ELLIOTT vacant five-story building could be used to increase the region’s maintaining at least 6 feet seplead by David Davis. Price: $12 hospital bed capacity. donation for the concert.

Women’s Bible Study Group Bradley Ross Herdejurgen, 59, born April 4, died the new strain of coronavirus, said the percentages of cases

THE OBITUARIES.

Pancakes to-go

Monday, Nov. 25 on Nov. 12. He was a loving Dad and Grandpa. He loved 5:30 on p.m.

Sunday. As of Tuesday, a by age are fairly even between his granddaughters, and he would do anything for them YMCA –1234 W. 34th St. total of 377 city residents had 20 and 70, with the most cases from playing softball to having tea parties, swimming with The Women’s Bible Study meets Open Mic Night40-49 group. tested positive for the disease, in the them and trying their food creations. His hobbies included every Monday at the Harriet Tuesday, Nov. 26 showing dogs, specifically Great Danes, listening to his and Joe Foster The four study deaths which hadYMCA. caused An additional 303 residents 9 p.m. isamong called Thecity Faithful, which Rock and Roll Music, entertaining his daughter and grandresidents.

Turner of Harris County had tested The Heights Theater.

Heights Vinyl – 3301 Cline St. explores crucial moments in daughters, he loved to travel and try new restaurants. He This is a free flowing, “tap in,� the lives of five Old Testament Little White Oak Night Market is preceded in Death by his father Allen Ross Herdejurgen.

Harley Poe share the mic event where everyfigures--Queen Esther, Gideon, Saturday, Nov. 23 He is survived by his mother Donna Marie Herdejurgen, Friday, Nov. 22 one is welcome.

Hosea, Malachi, and Nehemiah.

4 – 8 p.m. former wife Marilyn Herdejurgen, Daughter Courtney 7 p.m.

Guests and new members are Sideout Volleybar – 2623 Marie Cullever and husband Stacy Cullever, GrandaughWhite Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Keene St. Bar Takeover welcome to attend this nonFrom Staff Reports anxiety, depression eliminate the gap otherwise vulnerable. Through Main St. Wednesday, Nov. 27 ters Torey Nicole Cullever and Harlie Alexa Cullever, his denominational Bible study.

The Little White Oak Night Marand other behavin care that many telehealth, Legacy will remain Harley Poe with TheHealth Homeless brother Scott Herdejurgen and wife Mildred, and two of Email scripturesharing@earthlink. 6 – 9 p.m. ket brings together local farmers, Legacy Community Gospel is performing at White ioral La Lucha 1801place N. Shepherd problems. of our patients a –safe for wrap-around net for information. craft merchandisers, and artists. his favorite dogs Bolt and Roxie. He will be greatly missed announced Monday that is has Oak Music Hall.

Dr. Appointments are experiencing care, despite the pandemic.� by many who knew and loved him. launched a virtual pediatric is hosting a guest barMen’s Scriptureat Sharing Group due toLa LuchaLegacy Heights Morning in Market available this time saidcharity. it accepts most Montoya tender series benefiting clinic forCoco children in the Hous- are Sunday, Thursday, Nov. 28 Nov. 24 Sandra C. Gresham, 73, born Nov. 2, died on Nov. Nov. 23 English SpanDr. andQuinones PPO insurance On Nov.HMO 27, Alphonso 6:30 – 7:30 a.m.COVID-19,�

10 a.m.and – 2 p.m. ton area.Saturday, 18.

Sheis survived by her husband, Thomas Michael 8 p.m. from Capt.

Foxheart’s Badas News ish, Legacy said, plans as well Medicaid and YMCA –1234 W.Jeanette 34th St. Valdivie3106 White Oak Dr. The new consultation ser-W. Gresham; daughter, Tara (Gresham) Anderson; and daughThe Heights Theater – 339 Bar & Spirit Lodge will be at La The Men’s Scripture Sharing Heights Morning Market patients will need access so, Legacy’s chief operating CHIP. For uninsured patients, 19th St. ter, Suzanne (Gresham) Tyrell.

Lucha. The charity of his choice is vice is for anyone 17 years old andgathers Group meets every Thursday at local talented artisans, computer or smartofficer, inFoster a news release Legacy said it uses a “sliding Coco Montoya is performing at to either Child Advocates. the Harriet said and Joe YMCA. farmers,aand entrepreneurs to or younger, whether they are The Heights Theater. thatcloser is toequipped for There fromwillthe clinic.Bible “Many scale fee to lower the cost Carlos of Eduardo Sampaio, 56, born Oct. 7, died be music, study people bring you the goods you sick or well, and also caters phone Turkeyservices.�

Burn Rev Ride and fellowship.

Guests and the new house, need.

Stop by to shop and stay to Oct. 29. He is survived by his daughters Clara and Celia, video chats. don’t want to leave Los Walters to behavioral health. Legacy Thursday, Nov. 28 are welcome to attend brunch, drink the mimosas, and listen sister Christina, brother Luiz and ex-wife Michelle. He “Through Virtual Pe- members especially parents of children For more information, his visit Saturday, Nov. 23 9 – 10 a.m. this non-denominational Bible to live music at Onion Creek. said therapy appointments was employed by NASA. A celebration gathering will be 8 p.m. diatric Clinic, Legacy aims to who are immunosuppressed or legacycommunityhealth.org.

DEFINE Heights – 714 Yale St. study.

Email scripturesharing@ are available to help held from 3-5 p.m. Nov. 23, at Heights Funeral Home, 1317 White Oak Musickids Hall with – 2915 N. Ste. 200 earthlink.net for information.

Heights Blvd.

Main St. DEFINE is kicking off a day of Los Walters is performing at feasting with a Thanksgiving Holiday Artisan Market White Oak Music Hall.

Day Turkey Burn Class across Pre-Thanksgiving Worship Saturday, Nov. 30 all Houston-area locations. The Service 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Hayes Carll Turkey Burn is a 60 minute rev Sunday, Nov. 24 St. Stephen’s UMC – 2003 W. Sunday, Nov. 24 ride (indoor cycling) to give you 10:17 a.m.

43rd St. Experience and By7Adam guardian) forbest pediatric patients p.m. Zuvanich the energy to feel your and St. Matthew’s UMC – 4300 N. The Holiday Artisan Market, Knowledge... azuvanich@theleadernews.com The Heights Theater – 339 W. kickstart your metabolism. Shepherd Dr. benefitting the Animal Justice A Powerful 19th St. St. Matthew’s United Methodist • Family members for paLeague, will be held in the west Beginning MeCombination Hayeslast Carll isFriday, performing at The The Houston Genealogical Church cordially invites the comsanctuary parking lot, featuring tients in hospice or supportive Theater. morial Heights Hermann Health SysForum Presents: In Search munity to attend the Pre-Thanksa variety of vendors and food medicine Send your story of interest Realty Associates of William “The Immigrantâ€? giving Worship service.

DEBBIE trucks. Contact Kim Antley at tem is not allowing visitors ourrealtordebbie@aol.com ELLIOTT Tunes in the Tap Room Cloude news@theleadernews.com redlipdesigns@gmail.com regardat any Tuesday, of its facilities Nov. 26 in the Saturday, Dec. 7 Thanks & Giving Banquet ing vendor participation. • One visitor for patients Houston6:30 area, except – 9:30 p.m. under a 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Nov. 24 receiving care Harold’s Restaurant & Tap Bayland Community emergency Center 5 p.m. few circumstances.

O’Holy Heights Christmas – 350 W. 19th St. 6400 Bissonnet Garden Oaks Baptist Church – Extravaganza The Room hospital announced Enjoy live music in Harold’s Tap When presenter Janine for patients at 3206 N. Shepherd Dr. • One visitor Saturday, Dec. 7 March 26 thatevery it was amending Room Tuesday night.

Cloud’s direct paternal line Garden Oaks Baptist Church 6 p.m. the time of discharge followpaper trail dead-ends in 1838 will be celebrating Thanksgiving its visitor policy in an attempt Heights Presbyterian Church – ing a surgery or procedure Georgia, she turned to Y-DNA with a Thanks & Giving Banquet 240 W. 18th St. is restricting most to conserve its resources and Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital testing to attempt to prove a on Sunday evening. The church Heights Presbyterian Church is protect patients, caregivers, visitors help slow spread of COVID-19. betweenwith her brick will beto providing turkey,the dressing, hosting the O’Holy Heights Christ- connection • Patients a disability or its employees and the comwall ancestor and William “The gravy, cranberry sauce and rolls. mas Extravaganza, where there Eleanora’s Market other medical condition who Immigrantâ€?

Cloud, who settled Members will be furnishing admunity Saturday, at large Nov. from23the cona Santa visitors in the Gazebo for forbesome at some of “This decision will further will need assistance communicatin Pennsylvania Colony in about ditional dishes. Visitors are welpictures, hot cocoa, and coffee,those was- visia.m. – 1of p.m.COVID-19, tinued 9spread its locations, protect our patients and 1682. Come enjoystaff Janine’s come to come enjoy good food,the sail, ing with will be evaluated cookies, other desserts and Cavatore – 2120 Ella Blvd. the upper-respiratory disease tors will be required community from the spread of presentation and learn how to Christian fellowship and to give a silent auction. There will alsoto clear There will be local growers, for potential visitor exceptions apply these DNA principles to thanks for the blessings of the caused makers, by thedesigners, new strain of screening enChristmas concert withbefore the artisans and COVID-19 and help conserve beaahealth on a case-by-case basis your own family research. past year. For additional details, team andThe moreexcepcoronavirus. food producers. teringworship its facilities.

Memorial Hermann’s supply Heights please call (713) 864-4447.  “Memorial Hermann recog-

Fun & Games

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At St. Matthew’s UMC

Go for a drive and swing by St. Matthew’s UMC this Saturday, April 4, starting at 8:30 a.m. We will be passing out pancakes to-go, Palm Sunday packets and Local business Easter egg bags. is our

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The area locations impact- of personal protective equipP. 1A ment (PPE) to ensure our abiled are Coyote Memorial, from Hermann Greater discharge Heightsof Hospital a firearm, itatwas aity to“The key is providing that as longsafe as continue shelter and water are 1635 N.police Loopmatter.

W. and Memori- carefood, during this time,� the hosNews of the coyote’s coyote will al Hermann Convenient Care de-pitalavailable, said in aanother news release. elicited aHeights strong response soon replace the one that Center mise in Greater at Hermann said from residents such as Megan Memorial died,� Bradshaw said. “And 1431 Studemont St. said the coyotethere Paschall, who if itare was limited an alpha exceptions female, her

THE OBITUARIES.

tions to the new visitor policy include:

New Well Puppy & Kitten Exam New Well Puppy & Kitten Exam

nizes the importance of family support in the healing process “They’re not valued enough reviewed, radio-collar studies and is encouraging the use of to monitor,�

Fox said. • One visitor for laboring have proven that most relovideo chat programs Texas is a state where coycated wild animals die within on your women personal device to visit with otes are undefended and clas- two weeks after being released sified as a non-game species. in unfamiliar loved areas.� ones who cannot visit in • One visitorbiologist (parent Dior TPWD Wildlife Theperson,� incident along the bay- said. the hospital

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was a regular traveler by her death will trigger the other fe- ana Foss of the Texas Parks & ou last week warranted a pohouse. males in the surrounding area Wildlife Department said it is lice visit because it is illegal to “We have just as many stray to have larger litters in the illegal to kill a coyote for com- discharge a firearm inside the animals that87,aren’t mercial purposes on publicly spring.� L. Garcenila, 79, limits of a municifive grandchildren. years. She is survived by sons corporated Rayford Barrett, bornsmall coy- Ramonito said.Texas, “It’s awful.born Oct. in Texas.and daughterpality having a population of Bradshaw also saidMarch the norBarry land and Wesley, 4, 1940, died 17. owned Sept. 18,otes,�

1932 Paschall in Garrison, of quality care for Wildlife is retired nice to from have.� “However, it is legal to (kill) mal, healthy weight of a coyor more. Alvarado Vasquez, Laurie Meredith, and four grand-100,000 Homero died March 23. He your family * With Others said they wouldn’t a coyote on private property ote in Texas is only 25 pounds. “It’s dangerous,�

Cannon 47, born Nov. 11, 1972, died children.

Edward Gerken, 68, born Oct. Southern Pacific Railroad in 1993 pets Wellness Exam have of to employment. worry so much now5, 1951 “People in Indiana, urban areas matter March 28. what you are in Gary, diedcom- for any reason,� Foss said. said. “No after 43 years about their outdoor dogs andMarch “The personJune taking the coyote pare20.coyotes to theirby oftenWynne Newell, 95, bornshooting at, it’s still an illegal He is survived his He was an active member of Zion Call About Many the coyotebrother must a current hunting li- dischargeDaniel overweight she said. of firearms.�

Lynn Yanowski, 67, Dec.have 2, 1924 in Lamesa, Texas, Robert dogs,�

Gerken.

Lutherancats.

Church in thesaid Heights looked too thin and was percense.

No permit from TPWD A person who is passionate Cannon said anyone with Cat Vaccines born Aug. 6, 1952, died March 21. died March 25. She took classes for 64 years. He is survived by his haps dying slowly from star- about coyotes is Camilla H. is needed.� aboutwas theaincident Yanowski 1971 graduate of in Political Science, graduating information Noragene Hackney, 89, born wife of 64 years, Erna Lee, daughvation. Some believed that Fox, the founder and execuFoss also said a newly should call HPD. St. Pius X. He retired from Marek from the University of Houston May 25, 1930 in Shereveport, La., ters Cindy Daily, Rhonda Laumen, shooting a coyote was better tive director of Project Coyote passed law, House Bill 4544, Fox said the irony is that if Brothers in 2018. He is survived in 1978 before embarking on a died March 24.

She graduated sister Annie Ruth Arrington, four than the alternatives.

- a national nonprofit orga- allows certain cities, such as humans left coyotes alone to by his daughter Debbie Master’s to Degree in Foreign Rela-self-regulate, Reaganbased High School 1948. Houston, grandchildren, and one great“Personally, I think shoot-fromnization manage coyotes in MillinValley, they would do Yanowski,of quality care for brother Dennis Yanowski, sisters your family tions at UH-Clear Lake.

Newell is She was a longtime member of granddaughter. ing them is far more humane California, that promotes com- by capturing, relocating or so. * With Brenda Yanowski,Coyote and Kathy survived byaher children Wynne Project First United Methodist pets than setting out (conibear)Houston coyote located passionate conservation and euthanizing Coyote’s Wellness Exam Hetmaniak.

Weeks, Charles Newell, Mark Church.

She had a long career Dorothy M. Bartkowiak, 87, traps,� LeeAnn Hickman said. coexistence between people within the city limits or the Friendly Communities proCall About 713-688-9625 5315 Antoine@ Pinemont Newell,extraterritorial and Jonathan Newell, andwildlife retired from DeWalch born Feb.“But 1, 1933 Chappell Hill, catchin and release is notwith, juris- gram aims to give both urban and through educa- city’s sister Emogene Robinson,asand and rural audiences the tools in 2019 after 36 Texas, died March 17.

Hours: M-F 7am-6:00pm Sat. 8am-12 Noon Cat Vaccines considered an option becauseTechnologies diction or by requesting tion, science and advocacy. you’ll just be relocating a nuiFox calls the coyote a “ma- sistance from Texas Wildlife to foster coexistence. fromCOVID-19 one place ligned carnivore� and saidcheck it is Services. to teach information coyotes In sance lightanimal of the outbreak, please with each church below“We forneed updated to another.�

Relocating a coyote, ac- (about) the behavior we don’t estimated that 500,000 coyabout Bonnie services and events. services may suspended.

Bradshaw with 911 In-person to Bradshaw, also support,� Fox said. otes are killed each year by becording Wildlife, a wildlife removal humans, partly because they likely means death.

5315 Antoine@ Pinemont 713-688-9625 and relocation company with are unprotected by law in 42 “Contrary to public opinion, offices in Houston, said the states. relocated animals don’t have a Hours: M-F 7am-6:00pm Sat. 8am-12 Noon There are no definitive wonderful new life out in the good-riddance attitude regarding coyotes is typical in neigh- population counts for coyotes country where they belong,� either. borhoods throughout the U.S. Bradshaw said. “Multiple peer-

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CHURCH DIRECTORY CHURCH Sunday

MANNA 4QPOTPS

Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am

t 8PSTIJQ &OHMJTI BN BN Morning Worship ............... 10:45am t -FBSOJOH )PVS BN QN Wednesday Bible Studies For Youth, Children t 8PSTIJQ 4QBOJTI QN QN

and Adults............................ 6:15pm

St. James Lutheran ELCA 8FTU SE 4U t )PVTUPO 5Y t Sunday Studies For All Ages ...

9:30am 1822 W. Bible 18th •Church, 713-864-1470 t 8PSTIJQ &OHMJTI

BN BN Morning Worship ............... 10:45am

t -FBSOJOH )PVS For BN QN Bible Studies Youth, Children MANNA Wednesday Lutheran Church t 8PSTIJQ 4QBOJTI

QN QN 4QPOTPS Gethsemane and Adults............................

6:15pm

Gethsemane Lutheran Church 8FTU SE 4U t )PVTUPO 5Y t We invite you to worship with us!

4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227

1822 18th • 713-864-1470 PastorW. Jerry McNamara Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m.

School &•Bible Classes 10:30 am 4040Sunday Watonga 713-688-5227

Gethsemane Lutheran Church Gethsemane Lutheran Church We invite you to worship with us!

Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m. www.gethsemanelutheran.org

4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227 Pastor Jerry McNamara

Weekly Worship 9:00 a.m.

We invite youServices to •worship with us!

4040 Watonga 713-688-5227 Weekly a.m. a.m.

Sunday School &Worship Bible Services Classes9:00 10:30 We invite you to worship withamus!

Sunday School & Bible Classes 10:30 Preschool Program • Mon. 9-2p.m. p.m.

Preschool Program • Mon.- -Fri. Fri. 9-2 Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m. www.gethsemanelutheran.org www.gethsemanelutheran.org Sunday School & Bible Classes 10:30 a.m.

SundayPreschool MorningProgram Worship 8:30 and 11:00 • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m.

Sunday Schoolwww.gethsemanelutheran.org for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40

Ministries for All Ages First Church Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor

Sunday Worship◆8:30 and 11:00 ◆ Morning 2003 W. 43rd St. 713-686-8241 Sunday School ........9:15 ams t s u m c . o r g Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40 Sunday Worship......10:30am Ministries for All Ages Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Wednesday Bible Studyfor Home ofSunday Johnson Memorial School Little Children Sunday School forService Children, YouthPastor and Adults 9:40 & Prayer 6:00pm Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Ministries AllStaff Ages FC Heights Familyforand ◆ stsumc.org 2003 W.of43rd St. ◆Memorial 713-686-8241 Home School for Little Children 201Johnson E. 9th St. • 713-861-3102 Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor www.fbcheights.org 2003 W. 43rd St. X 713-686-8241 X s t s u m c . o r g

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When Jesus doesn’t answer right away

GET WHAT I’MIT! OVER Don’t Forget to THANKFUL I Thank FOR Say You

By Pastor Will Cover

t goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: “we have all Arise Baptist Church made mistakes.â€? As Alexander Pope so aptly put it: “To 803 Curtin TX 77018 err is human, to forgive, divine.â€? St. WeHouston should remember 713-659-9697 • www.arisebaptistchurch.org this the next time we make a mistake. Most certainly, we

By Pastor Will Cover must learn fromArise our Baptist mistakes, and hopefully not continue

By Pastor WillChurch Cover to repeat 803 them, butpeople we also ourselves.

While Curtin St.should Houston TXforgive 77018more Many are praying than ever during this Arise Baptist Church it can behealth hard enough to forgive others for their mistakes, 713-659-9697 • www.arisebaptistchurch.org crisis.

The realities of life and deathit have become 803 Curtin St. Houston, TX 77018 feel Ialmost impossible to forgive ourselves.

Sunday Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am can sometimes very real. have friends with the virus and we are praying 713-659-9697 • www.arisebaptistchurch.org St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA We sometimes cannot bring ourselves to forgive something for them to be healed.

What is going on Have you ever felt frustrated at Thanksgiving?

I and why hasn’t Morning Worship ............... 10:45am we’ve done, and we may punish and harangue ourselves • Worship (English) ..... 10:00 am - 11:00am Jesus answered the prayers to remove the virus yet? I remember as a boy wishing we could be done with Wednesday Bible Studies For Youth, Children for years, e are entering adecades, time of over holidays and celebrations or even youthful indiscretions. • Learning Hour........... 11:00am - 12:00pm was thinking about this today as I read myInBible. In John the family tradition of saying what we were thankful MANNA for many people in our country.

Thanksgiving is addition,11 some read of us of may notstory be able Jesus to forget the sins Lazarus of and Adults ............................ • Worship (Spanish) .... 12:30 pm - 1:30pm 6:15pm the bringing back to for before wewe ate. wanted to getofhave to the food for as Sponsor a holiday thatI we as Americans our past.

AndJesus although that may prevent usenjoyed fromstatement repeating of promise. life. made this tremendous quickly as possible!

The turkey, ham, mashed generations.

Many people are looking forward to time spent BibleTxStudies For•All713-686-1577 Ages ...ELCA 9:30am 1602 West St.Sunday • Houston, 77018 St.43rd James Lutheran Church, > [O ŕ Ž them, weHe must be charitable and forgive ourselves, just as said, ama the resurrection and the life, he that potatoes gravy, green beans, corn, cranberry with family, and time off from“I work, big feast, watching football, Morning Worship ............... 10:45am we should forgivesales others.

So,though we should a real effort in • Worship (English) ..... 10:00 am - 11:00am catching the believeth biggest the years, probably many inofme, hemake were sauce, homemade dinner rolls, etc.and were pileddead, high yet shall he live: Wednesday Bible Studies For Youth, Children thethings coming days andThanksgiving weeks to forgive the believeth offenses ofbeothers others during this weekend.

There will • Learning Hour ...........

11:00am 12:00pm And whosoever liveth and in me shall never on my plate.

The aromas wafting up from my loaded MANNA Weekly Sunday Services as well as ourwill own.

Sometimes, it helps to just forget about life in this Adults ............................

6:15pm some who struggle during the thiswater time ofand holiday • Worship and (Spanish) 12:30 9:15 pm - 1:30pm If Jesus were about just physical platepeople were die.� enough to make mytalking mouth my Sponsor • Bible ....

Study: a.m. as they remember loved ones they lost,mind or close them; that is, to trywould to putwho them outhave of lying our and stopbecause both verse he have been to Martha stomach ache with anticipation.

Why did we have to • Morning:10:30 a.m.

1602 West 43rd St. • > [O ŕ Ž Houston, Tx 77018 • 713-686-1577 companions thatmulling are unable to be together because of the repeatedly over them.

One of died the reasons wenot usecome back to • Evening: 4:15 p.m. she and her brother did take time talk about thanksgiving beforeand we schedule or to the logistics.

Either way,islater Thanksgiving will ate? be athat the phrase “forgive and forget� because sometimes is 1700 West 43 rd at Rosslyn life.just Jesus is teaching uswere here thatorfor Could we people not do that while we eating?

Asthose that believe time when areforgive, either thinking happy thoughts sad 713-682-4942 the only in wayHim to i.e., by forgetting.

But farIn better, and Weekly Sunday Services there is life after death. fact, there is eternal an adult, I look back at my childish self and realize thoughts about something.

Sunday Morning 8:30Walters and 11:00 PastorWorship – Dr. Richard more divine, is remember to beisable to forgive even while remembering r #JCMF 4UVEZ B N tremendous perspective Whenthis I wastradition alife! boy, IThis mystill mother saying, “Don’tWhile forgetduring this time as why was aand is important. •for Bible Study: Youth 9:15 a.m.

Sunday School Children, and Adults 9:40 thethank offense.

So, we should letme go of thosevirus. unforgiving, Ad # 32285 r .PSOJOH B N to say you.�

Shethanks was reminding be thankful to myWhile we must do • Morning:10:30 a.m. deal with the effects of this the time ofwe giving is not theto important issue, Ministries for All Ages vindictive, shameful feelings about thefor past, and r &WFOJOH Q N grandmother for the wonderful Thanksgiving meal, or to get my over us, the most • Evening: 4:15 p.m. everything we can to care those around the priority of giving thanks does matter.

As a child, SE 8FTU Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children family it! member Corrieimportant ten who survived incarceration in a Nazi relationship thatBoom, gave me a special gift, or to my friend who 1700 West 43 rd BU 3PTTMZO at Rosslyn thing is that we have a personal I wasn’t as thankful as I should have been because

713-682-4942 invited me to theirsaid, birthday party. Most people to teach prison camp “Forgiveness is to set a want prisoner free, andlife.

Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor with Christ.

This brings life, eternal children have a Jesus natural sense of entitlement.

The Pastor Walters Pastor –– Dr. Dr. Richard Richard Join us Services be thankful.

I think most people would agree X Walters tochildren realize to that the prisoner was you.�great s t s u m c . o r gtheir 2003 W.for 43rd St. X 713-686-8241 Jesus shared this truth with Martha after longer I live the more I understand the truth of that being thankful is important, it is also true that it is not in English or Spanish Ad # 32285 arriving four“In days too late to thanks, heal Lazarus from his God’s Word when it says everything give always to be thankful depending on what we are going through.

Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn Sunday Worship 10am & 5pm sickness.

Jesus knew that always Lazarus was sick and that for this is the God in “Giving Christ Jesus concerning The Bible says inwill Ephesians 5:20 thanks for all not, and youofwill not be condemned; forgive, Sunday Bible Classes 9am things the Father inthings thewanted name of our Lord Mary and Martha him toJesus come you.� unto I canGod giveand thanks in all because God is in and heal their and you will be forgiven...

Wednesday Bible Study 7pm Christ.� would encourage you, no matter you feel during brother.

Jesus purposely his controlI of my life. I am thankful forhow ourdelayed city and for coming because Join us for Services this holiday season to remember that you canresponded be thankfuland to all of the other he wanted Mary, Martha, Lazarus, the individuals and organizations that to 4215 Watonga Blvd. • 713-681-9365 in English or Spanish R.S.V. Luke 6:37 God. He gavepeople, up His only Son to die ayou crueland deathme, on the cross including heard the story to Houston, TX 77092 Hurricane Harvey in such an admirable way.who I am so that anyone who trusts him can be forgiven of their sins and Sunday Worship 10am & 5pm learn that Jesus can do greater things than just heal the thankful to have started a new church this past year have eternal life. Don’t forget to say thank you!

Sunday Bible Classes 9am sick. gives life!

Let us pray that Jesus will that was able totoJesus take part in eternal the community efforts If you would like discuss this further or have questions, Wednesday Bible Study 7pm bringcan physical healing to our Church world. to help people after am thankful for my Pastor Will Cover beHarvey. reached atI Arise Baptist atLet us trust Jesus is best andor in what time to bring that 803 Curtin St.,toor know www.arisebaptistchurch.org, 713-659-9697. wife, my children, mywhat parents, and my friends.

I am 4215 Watonga Blvd. • 713-681-9365 healing.

Let us askgives Jesus help us share the good news Houston, TX 77092 thankful for my country that metothe freedoms thatand while this life will end, we can have eternal to live, think, write as physical I wish. There is so much life through for which to give thanks.Jesus WhatChrist! are you thankful for?

DIRECTORY

St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA

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The Leader • Saturday, April 4, 2020 • Page 7A

Art Valet: Murals inspired by census pop up in Houston neighborhoods Mitch Cohen Art Columnist

With stay-at-home orders stretching across America dragging on into months now, the thrill of doing something new may be good news for the 2020 Census. This is, by the way, Census Week, through Sunday.

Normally the U.S. Census, conducted by the U.S. Department of Commerce every 10 years as mandated in the U.S. Constitution, has in-person follow-ups after four attempts to reach us by mail have been sent to each household in America. Not this year. With COVID-19 in our lives, the census bureau has adjusted its operations. For the first time, nearly everyone is invited to respond online, by phone or by mail.

Long before the world began practicing “social distancing” and hoarding life’s essentials like toilet paper, communities across this once great nation of all life’s essentials, began a campaign to spread the word of the importance of being counted. This may be one of the most important counts to date, considering federal fund-

ing on everything from school lunches to highway infrastructure is at stake.

Houston and Harris County’s local census drive “Yes! to Census 2020” began last summer and has unleashed its second of five murals in undercounted neighborhoods to build awareness of Census 2020 and the importance of being counted. The grassroots initiative comprises artists to create colorful, life-affirming murals to convey the local census message: Completing the census is important, urgent, safe and easy.

A new Montrose mural is located at 1203 Westheimer Rd. and created by artist Sebastien “Mr. D1987” Boileau (@mrd1987 on Instagram).

The artwork includes a Houston rainbow skyline inside a hipster camera roll with the local Census 2020 campaign hashtag #YEStotheCensus.

Local Montrose residents informed the creation via engagement surveys.

Houston-based UP Art Studio (upartstudio.org), a design house owned by Elia and Noah Quiles that facilitates art and design projects for urban and contemporary artists, communities, corporations and municipalities, was commissioned to identify locations, secure artists and incorporate community engagement to inform the works of art. The first

Contributed photo

A mural in Montrose lets people know about the “Yes! to Census 2020” campaign.

“Yes! to Census 2020” mural was completed in early March in Gulfton by Anat Ronen (@ anatronen1971 on Instagram) and is located at 6227 Southwest Fwy. In pre-identified undercounted communities, local artists have been and will continue working with community residents to create vibrant murals that reflect each area’s unique character, ethnicities, needs and dreams to deliver

the “Yes! to Census 2020” message. The remaining areas where murals will be painted include Alief, Aldine and South Central Houston. Local artists secured to create the remaining art installations include Lee Washington, Colors Oner and Israel McCloud.

The “Yes! to Census 2020” campaign aims to educate Houston and Harris County residents that the census is important, urgent, safe and easy

to complete. Local trusted voices and hyperlocal influencers will amplify and encourage participation among multicultural and potentially undercounted populations. A website with census resources, information and events can be found at www.HarrisHoustonCounts.com.

For you information junkies and home-school teachers, the census website has some interesting facts on it including

an interactive response rate map. After you fill out the census online, take a drive to see Anat and Sebastien’s murals!

The outdoor art markets that I host monthly on the first and second Saturdays will not be open this month.

Cohen is an artist and founder of First Saturday Arts Market and the Market at Sawyer Yards.

Find him at ArtValet.com.

Hospitality industry helping its own Zarah Parker Managing Editor

While the hospitality industry is set up to be a service to the public, the industry is unable to fully work its gears during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Restaurants are currently limited to delivery, to-go and drive-through pickup to help lower the risk of exposure to the upper-respiratory disease caused by the new strain of coronavirus.

Because of this, many hospitality workers now have reduced hours or have been furloughed or laid off.

Now, instead of those workers serving others, the hospitality industry is finding ways to serve them.

Houston Shift Meal is a group headed by Jonathan Beitler, who is in public relations and event planning, and Cat Nguyen, who is a Houston sommelier, that provides free meals to hospitality workers who have been affected by the social distancing restrictions enacted by the City of

Houston and Harris County.

“For me the industry is very closely tied to what I do, and I have many friends that right now are struggling,” Beitler said. “This is our family and we just want to allow for them one less thing to worry about.”

The name is taken from a shift meal, sometimes called a family meal, in which a restaurant provides a meal that is shared by the staff.

Beitler and Nguyen also worked together in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston. During that time, they launched Midtown Kitchen Collective, which with the help of restaurants provided free meals to those in need.

“We thought it was only natural the two of us could come together and give back in an opposite way,” Beitler said.

With more than 200,000 distributions under their belt with Midtown Kitchen Collective, coming together a second time under Houston Shift Meal just two weeks ago was easy because the duo already had many of the logistics worked out. “(Houston Shift Meal is) or-

Rainbow Lodge has also been providing shift meals for its staff that is currently working and staff that’s been furloughed. The workers are able to come in and grab a meal for themselves and their family if need be.

“From a cook at McDonald’s to a server at the nicest restaurants in the city,” Beitler said, “they’re a lot of workers in the industry and we are wanting to serve all of them.”

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ganized by people who have a good blueprint for how to get meals to people in times of crisis,” Rainbow Lodge owner Donnette Hansen said.

Rainbow Lodge, 2011 Ella Blvd., is a restaurant partner with Houston Shift Meal.

Hansen said it made sense to work together as the program has the capability to get food to hospitality workers and Rainbow Lodge has the capability to make food.

How Houston Shift Meal works is through monetary donations and the help of still-operating restaurants. For example, from the donations, Houston Shift Meal will give a restaurant a $250 stipend, which according to HoustonMealShift.com will produce

FOOD BRIEFS:

between 50-75 meals. The restaurants will then produce the meals.

The last meal that Rainbow Lodge provided was wild game Bolognese with a seasonal squash salad.

To give more options and reduce the amount of people who have to leave their home, Beitler said the group has set up two pickup sites per week where hospitality workers can pick up four meals at once.

For information on when and where the pickup sites are, visit Houston Shift Meal’s Facebook page @HoustonShiftMeal.

“We’ll do this as long as this takes,” Hansen said.

While working with Houston Shift Meal, Hansen said

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Dish Society, 1050 Yale St., has created a way for patrons to shop for groceries online.

The restaurant has launched a virtual farmers market full of local produce, meats, eggs and breads. Orders can be made and paid for online at dishsociety.com. You can have it delivered for $7 or schedule your order for curbside pickup.

You can also purchase a meal for a doctor, nurse or first responder through Dish Society’s online portal (dishsociety. olo.com) for $15. Dish Society will compile orders and deliver to various hospitals and first responder units across Houston and surrounding areas.

Postino gives back Postino Wine Café, 642 Yale St., is giving back with every bruschetta board that is ordered.

With every bruschetta board that is prepared to-go,

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Postino will donate a meal to the national nonprofit, No Kid Hungry.

Karbach releases three new beers Karbach Brewing Co., 2032 Karbach St., has released three new brews.

The first is Sangria Radler, a blend of golden beer and a

variety of fruit flavors, and a new addition to Karbach’s line of Radlers, including Blood Orange, Lemon Ginger and Cherry Limeade. The next is Lil’ Chela, a light cerveza. It’s only 96 calories for those who are health-focused. Karbach’s other new beer is Viva Chela, a Mexican-style lager with notes of lime and salt.

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Page 8A • Saturday, April 4, 2020 • The Leader

City opens second testing site at Delmar Stadium

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

The City of Houston opened a COVID-19 testing site in Northwest Houston.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said Tuesday that Houston ISD’s Delmar Stadium, 2020 Mangum Rd., would be used as a testing site starting Wednesday.

It is the city’s second free, drive-through testing site along with Butler Stadium in Southwest Houston, where testing has been conducted since March 20 to identify cases of the upper-respiratory disease caused by the new strain of coronavirus.

FEMA is sponsoring a total of four free testing sites in the region, two apiece operated

by the city and Harris County.

Each site has the capacity to administer 250 tests per day.

“We will be doubling our capacity in the city of Houston,” Turner said. “We are hoping to increase the number of people who can be tested at these sites.”

Turner said the testing sites are open to anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, which include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Dr. David Persse with the Houston Health Department has said that people who are not symptomatic could get false negative results.

Those who wish to be tested at the city’s sites must first be screened by calling the Houston Health Department’s COVID-19 call center at 832-

Photo by Jean Dukate HISD’s Delmar Stadium is serving as the site of the City of Houston’s second free, drive-through COVID-19 testing site.

393-4220 between 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday or between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Patients

may also be screened by visiting houstonemergency.org/ covid19.

Harris County has two

free testing sites. To be screened, visit ReadyHarris.org or call 832-927-7575.

For both the city and county’s testing sites, those who meet testing criteria during the screening process will be given instructions about how to proceed.

United Memorial Medical Center at 510 W. Tidwell Rd., is operating another free, drive-through testing site that operates from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Monday through Friday. Prescreening is not required for that site.

As of Tuesday, the city had reported 377 COVID-19 cases among residents and four deaths. Harris County had reported an additional 303 cases and two deaths, as well as 61 people who have recovered.

Turner said Tuesday that 38 city employees, including 12 police officers and eight firefighters, had tested positive.

Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said their testing sites will continue to operate as long as they continue to receive the necessary supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE), from the federal government.

“We are limited by the PPEs,” Turner said. “In order to do the testing, we have to protect the healthcare workers and people on the front lines.

We can’t just say we’re going to do testing if we don’t have the equipment. But we do know we need robust testing.

That will help us to stay on top of (the local outbreak).”

Texas schools to remain closed until May

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

It will nearly be summer before schoolchildren in Texas can go back to class.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Tuesday that includes the extended closure of all schools in the state until May 4, a measure aimed at promoting social distancing and slowing the spread of COVID-19.

Most schools in Texas have been closed since mid-March, with Houston ISD having already planned to suspend classes until mid-April.

“Our system of public education in Texas serves 5.5 million souls — little bundles of energy trying to become the best versions of themselves.

Like many parents in Texas, I’m the parent of two young children,” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said. “We are wrestling with a new reality. For parents listening at home, we will work through this. We will get through this together.”

Like many school districts around the Houston area and the state, Houston ISD has implemented a distance learning program that students can ac-

cess online while campuses are closed. HISD @ H.O.M.E. launched curriculum-based lessons and activities, which are catered to differing grade levels, on Monday at houstonisd.org/HOME. HISD said the program will remain in effect until further notice. HISD @ H.O.M.E. includes instructional videos that can be viewed between 9-11 a.m. Monday through Friday either online or on AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 as well as Comcast Channel 18.

“We are dealing with an unprecedented crisis, and the safety of our students and

Citgo 6, from P. 1A cially inhibit Citgo’s parent company and by extension the Venezuelan government.

Toledo’s stepson, Carlos Anez, said the men have yet to stand trial and he considers the corruption charges bogus.

Anez said he was told March 20 by the U.S. Department of State that Maduro will only release the men if U.S. sanctions against Venezuela are lifted.

“That to me means that they’re hostages,” Anez said.

“They’re being held for a very particular reason and Venezuela wants something in exchange.”

Tensions between Maduro and the U.S. government escalated March 26 when, according to the Associated Press, the U.S. filed drug trafficking charges against Maduro and 14 other Venezuelan officials and placed a $15 million bounty on the socialist leader. Maduro responded by calling U.S. President Donald Trump a “racist cowboy,” according to the AP. When asked if they were worried about Maduro retaliating against the U.S. by harming the Citgo 6, Anez and Hill said the men have been in danger as it is. Hill said she hopes concerns about COVID-19 prompt the men’s release on humanitarian grounds. About 100 cases have been reported in Venezuela, including four in El Helicoide, according to a March 26 report by Time Magazine.

“This has always been a delicate and evolving situation, and is even more so now in light of COVID-19,” U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, who represents some of the men, said in a Friday statement provided to The Leader. “At times, it seems for every two steps forward we take toward their

Photo by Adam Zuvanich Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath speaks Aug. 15 at Aldine ISD’s Stephens Elementary.

Exercise, from P. 1A release, we then take one step back. This is extremely frustrating, especially to the families. I will continue to do all I can to ensure their safe return.”

Two of the men’s wives said in October that Citgo stopped paying their husband’s salaries a few months after they were jailed but continued to provide insurance benefits. The wives also said at the time that Citgo started assisting with legal expenses in the spring of 2019.

“Citgo continues to support the U.S. Government’s efforts to secure the release of our colleagues, who have now been detained for more than two years without trial and who face grave risks to their health due to the global pandemic,” the company said in a statement released by a spokesperson. “Citgo believes that the detention of these men violates their fundamental human rights, including the right to due process under law. We pray for their safety, and for their families as they contend with all of the challenges presented by this lengthy separation from their loved ones.”

Relatives of the Citgo 6 were encouraged in December, when the men were granted house arrest after more than two years in jail.

But they were scooped up and returned to prison Feb. 5 – the same day Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido was in Washington D.C. as a guest of Trump, who recognizes Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate leader.

After that point, Anez said more than a month passed before any of the Citgo 6 relatives heard from the men, who have not been al-

lowed visitors. They have been permitted to make brief phone calls to their families during the last week.

The families arrange to have food, water, medicine and clothing delivered to the men, according to Anez and Hill, who said that is becoming increasingly difficult amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and an oil price war that has led to a gasoline shortage in Venezuela. Anez said the South American country also has implemented many of the same social distancing guidelines as the U.S., so many stores that sell necessary supplies are closed.

Anez and Hill also said their fathers and the other men have been using bleach to sanitize their prison cell, which keeps it clean but irritates their skin and lungs. Anez said Toledo already has bronchitis.

“He’s dealing with that, but that’s better than getting sick with the virus at this point,” Anez said.

While being imprisoned in El Helicoide puts the men at a higher risk of infection, Hill said she is glad the Citgo 6 are separated from other inmates.

And as COVID-19 continues to take a toll on the world, including in Venezuela, she hopes the Maduro regime will be compelled to release them.

In that sense, the pandemic could potentially help her family’s plight.

Hill’s father has yet to meet his 6-month-old granddaughter, Iris, who was baptized the day after he was abruptly removed from house arrest.

“I just want my dad home,” Hill said. “Maybe this is what needs to happen so we’ll finally get the chance to get these men home where they belong.”

to reuse a mask. The engineer, and quilter, looked at the posted pattern and made some masks that day. She also talked to some nurses in her family.

“Before I did it I wanted to find out if it would be helpful,” Glass-Taylor said.

Through her quilting Facebook group, Glass-Taylor has learned about more opportunities to make masks.

She recently left some on her doorstep for LaTrice Ferguson, a physical therapist who also left her some fabric and another order.

“It’s wonderful to have support from the community,” Ferguson said. “It really touches me during this difficult time and reminds me of the importance of what I’m doing. I know that my community has my back and values their healthcare providers. We will get through this together.”

There are a number of online groups that have recently formed to share patterns and mask needs from communi-

ties. A local organization that has benefited from the volunteer mobilization is West Janisch Health Care Center, which provides rehabilitation, memory and skilled nursing care.

Beverly Mustafa with the center said staff members are wearing the cloth masks over their disposable masks.

Recently, challenges in mask-making have moved beyond manpower and expertise. Some of the mask materials, like the twill tape that creates the ties, is increasingly hard to come by, according to Guthrie.

And the scarcity might continue.

“The idea of getting a much more broad, community-wide use of masks outside of the healthcare setting is under very active discussion at the task force,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, told CNN. “The CDC group is looking at that very carefully.”

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Masks, from P. 1A ington D.C., Connecticut, Chicago and California. People can log needs on a Google Doc that Guthrie maintains.

Social distancing is maintained during production with two employees working from home and two in the office sewing 18 feet apart.

A week ago, Guthrie set up a GoFundMe page for donations to continue the work.

While donations pay for mask materials and shipping, they also make it economically possible to keep her staff working on masks to meet a growing need.

Guthrie has been working at building a relationship with the medical community and has also partnered with TXRX Labs and Connect Community in the Gulfton area to increase mask production.

While Guthrie is leveraging her business, others are turning a hobby into an act of service.

Oak Forest resident Stephanie Glass-Taylor saw a social media post from an area pediatrician about having

staff is our top priority,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said in a Tuesday news release from the district.

“We’re working diligently to ensure our students have the support they need to continue their learning at home until normal district operations resume. I urge parents and students to take advantage of the resources provided and reach out to us for support when they need it.”

Abbott already had waived STAAR testing requirements for all Texas students for the 2019-20 academic year.

others are venturing out and utilizing neighborhood parks and trails.

In addition to jogging in her Timbergrove Manor neighborhood, Kallie Benes said she and her children have been walking and biking at places such as Jaycee Park, West 11th Street Park and White Oak Bayou Greenway Trail along T.C. Jester Boulevard.

The City of Houston and Harris County are leaving their parks open during the stay-athome order, although the use of playgrounds, benches and sport courts are prohibited.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said Monday that he had asked the Houston Parks and Recreation Department to remove rims from basketball goals at city parks, because groups of people were gathering to play.

Hidalgo said even throwing a Frisbee with another person could pose a risk for contracting or spreading COVID-19, the upper-respiratory disease

caused by the new strain of coronavirus, because people could be touching it with contaminated hands.

“Folks who are walking or jogging, riding their bikes, two people, three people, that’s exactly what we want to see,” Hidalgo said Monday. “I’m just so grateful for it.”

But not all parks are open, and not everyone in the area has witnessed the recommended social distancing practices on area trails. The Houston Heights Association announced last week that Donovan Park, which consists mostly of wooden playground equipment, would close so it could adhere to the guidelines outlined by Hidalgo.

Linda Pelczar Unger said she’s seen trails “packed” with people, making her wonder how safe it is to use them.

“The traffic on these trails are four to five times the normal flow,” Unger wrote. “The amount of folks on the trails

seems to be a huge potential for passing the virus along. I see groups of more than 10 in large piles along the trails.”

Alexis Montle Eaton said she’s been walking her dog more often lately but tries to avoid the busiest times of day so she can avoid crowds. She said she likes T.C. Jester Park because it’s “nice and big and provides lots of distance.”

Lisa Martinez said she and her husband have been riding their bikes in an empty church parking lot across the street from their home.

No matter people’s preferences, there are ample opportunities to work out while enjoying the outdoors. While working from home, Belinda Medina said she’s expanded her routine of doing Beachbody workouts indoors.

“I’m also going on bike rides and jogging some, too,” she said. “I’ve been getting lots of exercise for sure.”

the entire state, has permitted churches to stay open.

“We just got the news as everyone else about the governor’s order,” Hidalgo said during a Tuesday afternoon news conference. “To the extent there are conflicts, we’ll work those out in the coming hours and days if necessary.”

Hidalgo also said she would be issuing an order Tuesday that allows for the release of about 1,000 inmates of the Harris County Jail who have been accused, although not yet convicted, of non-violent crimes. She said inmates with a history of violent crimes or threats of violent crimes, along with burglary of a habitation offenders and those with three or more DWI

charges, will not be released.

One jail inmate already has tested positive for COVID-19, and Hidalgo said about two dozen more are displaying symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. Hidalgo described the jail as a “ticking time bomb” for a significant outbreak, because there are about 8,000 inmates in addition to about 3,000 workers who go in and out of the jail on a daily basis. Hidalgo said an outbreak at the jail could put a strain on the region’s hospital bed capacity as well as its other resources.

“There is no room for politics when it comes to this decision,” she said. “It’s the only choice we have.”

Stay Home, from P. 1A exercise and obtain groceries, household items and medical care. Only businesses deemed essential are permitted to operate, and all citizens must maintain at least 6 feet of separation between each other.

Restaurants can remain open but are limited to carryout, drive-through and delivery services. City and county parks also are staying open, although the use of playgrounds, benches and sport courts is prohibited.

Harris County’s order also restricts churches to onlineonly services and one-on-one interaction between church leaders and parishioners. Although Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who on Tuesday issued stay-at-home guidelines for