Brooks County, located in southern Texas, released a statement via social media over the Fourth of July weekend that warned “any person who has tested positive for COVID-19 … must isolate themselves” or risk being arrested. The order cites Texas Penal Code 22.05 (a), which states states “a person commits an offense if he recklessly engages in conduct that places another in imminent danger of serious bodily injury.” The statement clarifies that anyone leaving home to receive medical care is exempt. “If you’re going to go out and endanger other people, and we find out about it, we will prosecute you,” Brooks County Attorney David Garcia said via KII TV. “People have not really embraced the dangers of COVID-19. It’s dangerous. It’s killing people, and it’s making people very sick. So either do it because you’re concerned about others or do it because you’re going to be punished if you don’t.“ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb
Garcia has encouraged anyone who feels they have been exposed to the virus to call the police or the county attorney’s office to report the violation. The warning also clarifies that potential victims do not have to contract the virus, but only need to be “exposed to it without previous warning.” For now, Brooks County may simply be stemming the surrounding tide: The district has only reported 18 cases of COVID-19 versus the state’s overall approximate number of 220,220. RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. But the unique order comes as Texas is witnessing new sets of worrying numbers each day, including dwindling ICU beds, an infection rate of 1.20, and a positive test rate of 13.3 percent, according to Covid Act Now. This has earned the Lone Star State a spot on Covid Act Now’s “critical” list and led certain state officials to urge residents to shelter in place. And for more on how the law has handled coronavirus, check out Teens Pull COVID-19 Prank at Walmart, Face Charges of Terrorism.
