Abilene Times

While most Texans understand why Gov. Greg Abbott has issued his stay at home order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, some in Abilene are nonetheless disappointed with his decision.

The Texas governor restricted social gatherings, allowing no more than 10 people together at once. He also closed all restaurants, bars and gyms in the state until a minimum of April 3. 

In Abilene, some residents aren't thrilled about the additional restrictions. Assistant manager at Grumps Burgers Buffy Meyer said the new restrictions were "ridiculous." 

“We will not close down,” Meyer said to the Abilene Reporter News. “We don’t deliver, but just call me."

Grumps Burgers opened in Abilene three months ago and was going to offer curbside pickup. While Meyer doesn't want the restaurant to close, she said she doesn't want people getting sick either. 

“I think it’s fair, and I don’t want people to get sick,” Meyer told the Reporter News. “But, no. The cities that haven’t been affected have the same rules for cities that have been affected. It should be done per city. Our mayor said less than 50, and I was on board with that. Absolutely. We're taking the peanuts off tables and the salt and pepper shakers, we’re using sanitizer and everyone is wearing gloves, even those serving.”

She said she believes Abbott's decision is hurting more than it is helping people. 

Political leaders in the county also have conflicting views. 

Taylor County Republican Party Chairman Winston Ohlahausen told the Reporter News that the epidemic is a "serious situation" but "overhyped."

“One of the facts is [President Donald] Trump was really rolling good with the good economy and all, and the Democrats were hoping something would come along," Ohlahausen told the Reporter News. "So, I’m sure they’re happy – and again, I’m talking about the Democrat establishment leadership. Even though they might not admit it, they’re really happy that it is changing the political atmosphere.”

But this doesn't mean they are hoping people will die, he said. 

“But I think they’re really glad to see something,” he said.  “They couldn’t seem to do it on their own to disrupt Trump on his way to another election win."

Elizabeth Smyser, Taylor County Democratic Party chairwoman, said Abbott's restrictions are what the state needed. 

“These measures might seem drastic,” Smyser told the Reporter News. “But really, they’re very necessary to try to maintain the good health the population and try to protect those that are susceptible.”

She also said shutdowns in the county had nothing to do with politics. 

“They are motivated by maintaining the good health and safety of the public,” she said, noting the nation's economy wasn't prepared for this and calling it a "wake-up call." 

“We do not have a social safety net that was prepared for this, to deal with a crisis of this magnitude and scale," Smyser said. “We have been needing to protect consumers and needing to protect families and workers for a very long time. We have we have failed to do that. And we're going to be feeling a lot of tragic consequences as a result.”

Armando Gomez, a server at Bogie's Downtown Deli and Lone Star Diner, said the new restrictions are going to cause more harm. 

"It's making people jump on edge and freak out, and I don't think right now we should be freaking out. We should take action, yes, but freaking out, no," Gomzes told the Reporter News. "I think by closing things down it's going to make people freak out more. That's just going to make everyone in Abilene go crazy."

He also said it will hurt businesses where there haven't been any confirmed cases of COVID-19. 

"All these small businesses in Abilene are going to go downhill, and it's going to take them forever to get back up to where there at, because there's no telling how long this is going to go on," he said. "Why are people wanting to wash their hands and sanitize now; what about six months ago ... were they not doing it?"

Restaurants are now "fighting for every dollar," Kent Hodge, owner of several Jason's Deli locations in the city, said. 

“We’re nervous just like everybody else, but I’m telling my people our goal is to be there when this is over for our employees and our customers,” Hodge told the Reporter News.