Devine emergency declaration extended to May 7

The Devine City Council voted unanimously to extend the City’s public health emergency declaration  in its current form until Thursday, May 7, and discussed City’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic during the Regular meeting held April 23.

Zoom in to check out these deals, or tap to see more from Chaparral Ford!

Emergency Management Coordinator Rob Flores suggested extending the declaration on either a weekly or bi-weekly basis pending changes from Medina County or state leadership.

“We can always have a Special meeting if we have to,” Mayor Cory Thompson said.

A motion by District 5 Councilwoman Debra Randall and District 3 Councilman David Espinosa to extend the declaration to May 7 passed 5-0 with the support of District 1 Councilman Rufino “Flipper” Vega, District 2 Councilman Steve Lopez, and District 4 Councilman Chuck Guzman.

Flores then updated Council on the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Medina County as of April 23.

Thompson said there had been a lot of questions about why the equipment at the City parks are closed, and said it was because they can’t be cleaned frequently enough in accordance with CDC guidelines.

“I guess we could, if we were to actually man it and staff somebody over there full time to clean in between people going through, but that’s just going to be very difficult,” Thompson said. “And of course, it’s going to cost money as well to have somebody just stationed over there all day long.”

Additionally, Thompson said questions had been received about wearing face masks in public.

“I’ve told people who have asked me that question that obviously if you feel the need to wear a face mask, then that is what you need to do,” Thompson said. “I’ve been told that certain businesses are asking that you wear a face mask while you’re inside that business, and I completely respect that. That’s their business, that’s a decision made by the owners and the management.”

Thompson said that if people wanted it, Council could make a recommendation that masks be worn in public.

Check out these deals or tap for more from Brown Chevrolet!

“I personally just recommend, if that is what you feel, if you have health concerns, that that is something that you need to do, then that is something that you need to do,” Thompson said, “and to take that upon yourself and wear the face mask or wear gloves or however you feel you need to protect yourself.”

Thompson also addressed the daytime curfew for minors that Council added to the declaration, and said he would like to let it expire on May 28, the last day of school

“Just something for y’all to think about as Councilpeople is just go ahead and letting that expire, because our point was to try to help the school out and to try to keep the kids where they were at home working like they would be at school,” Thompson said. “But once school’s out, school’s out…it would just go to the regular summer setup without the daytime curfew.”

By Marly Davis

Staff Writer