Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo launched a website for people to complain about businesses allegedly violating the capacity limits of re-opening Texas. Apparently it's become popular.
As of yesterday afternoon, that website, which had experience technical issues at one point, drew 450 complaints.
One business that opened and was shut down by the Harris County Fire Marshall's office was a gym in the Katy area. CrossFit Hippo owner George Giles told our TV partner Channel 2 he didn't feel like he had a choice other than to re-open.
"The reality is I can't pay my landlord," Giles said. "They are going to lock me out eventually." Giled re-opened on May 1st.
Elsewhere:
- Washington County officials says they have contained an outbreak at a nursing home. There have been 19 deaths and more than 100 cases of the virus at the Brenham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
- The Greater Houston area reported 11 deaths yesterday to bring the total to 271.
- The state reported 24 to bring the total in Texas to 902.
- The City of Galveston has asked the state to send troopers to help control beach crowds, and Galveston Island Beach Patrol is trying to hire 80 lifeguards to keep up with the crowds they've seen.
- Costco and Kroger are now restricting the amount of meat you can buy. Costco is restricting people to three items of beef, pork and poultry products. Kroger says there are limits on those items as well.
- And Houston's own Beyonce is offering free COVID-19 testing for 500 people Friday at Cullen Middle School, and another 500 tests on Saturday at at Forest Brook Middle School.