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Plano ISD and public schools across the state should remain closed for the rest of the academic year to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday, April 17.
The following week, though, Texas will resume retail “to go” service, let health care providers perform more elective procedures and reopen state parks, Abbott announced.
Here’s more information about the impact the coronavirus has had on Plano.
Coronavirus cases
| Plano | Collin County | |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed | 151 | 521 |
| Active | 52 | 189 |
| Recovered | 98 | 320 |
| Hospitalized | 8 | 17 |
| Deaths | 1 | 12 |
Plano has had the most cases of coronavirus in Collin County, according to the data.
| ZIP code | Confirmed cases |
|---|---|
| 75023 | 14 |
| 75024 | 26 |
| 75025 | 32 |
| 75074 | 17 |
| 75075 | 21 |
| 75093 | 40 |
PPE litter causing problems
Residents and visitors in Plano are causing a problem by discarding personal protective equipment “everywhere,” according to Plano officials. Discarded masks and gloves are being tossed across parking lots, streets, parks and creeks, the city stated in an announcement.
If caught, litterers can face a fine of up to $500, according to the city. Residents are asked to carry a plastic bag in their car, to store PPE items until they can be properly discarded. Another option is creating a reusable cloth face covering.
Aside from being unsightly, leaving discarded PPE around the city can potentially spread disease to others, including essential workers who are required to remain on the job. It is also dangerous to wildlife and pets that swallow the material or become entangled in it. Finally, the plastic material takes “hundreds of years to decompose,” the announcement states.
Anyone who spots others littering may report it to the state. The Department of Transportation will send the alleged offender a letter reminding them to keep litter of the roads, along with a “Don’t mess with Texas,” litter bag. Those filing a report are asked to give the vehicle’s license plate number, make and model, what kind of litter it was and who threw it (the driver or a passenger).
Concerns about eviction, homelessness amid COVID-19 crisis
Plano city leaders note that requests to help the homeless and residents facing eviction could rise this year due to high levels of unemployment caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The city’s homeless prevention program assisted 137 Plano residents last year and 95 percent of the participants were still in stable housing 90 days after completing the program.
Through the program, Plano residents who are at risk of being evicted can ask for assistance in paying their rent and utilities when certain criteria are met. Case management is provided, participants complete a budgeting class and referrals to other services are also available.
The city’s homeless program is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs.
The amount of funding the city receives for the program is directly tied to the Census count. Residents are asked to complete the 2020 Census form so the city can receive “its fair share” of federal funding.
National Guard in town
Texas National Guard members recently arrived at the North Texas Food Bank in Plano to help ensure the city’s most at-risk people have access to nutritious food during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an announcement by the city and the food bank.
Before the pandemic, the mobile pantry was serving an average of 300 households. That number has skyrocketed to nearly 2,000, the announcement said.
“The Food Bank and their member agencies play a critical role in North Texas,” Plano Mayor Harry LaRosiliere said in a prepared statement. “The support from the National Guard will allow for them to continue to meet their mission. We know that as the weeks go on, the need for support will only continue to grow.”
One of the food bank’s employees tested positive for the coronavirus, the organization announced April 7.
City and county policies
As the Plano City Council considered safety measures, the council was going to design its own policy, but decided that Gov. Greg Abbott’s order addressed city leaders’ concerns about what businesses are deemed essential. The state is following the Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines on essential businesses.
“All services should be provided through remote telework from home unless they are essential services,” the governor’s order states.
Abbott also extended the temporary closure of gyms, bars and restaurant dining areas and said Texans must practice “social distancing” through April 30. He stopped short of calling the move a stay-at-home order.
Plano previously noted that “extraordinary changes” are required in city operations to help contain the spread of the coronavirus in the community.
Questions about COVID-19?
The city’s COVID-19 hotline may be reached at 972-941-5922, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Messages left after regular hours will be returned the next day.
The city has also activated its emergency operations center, which is open during regular business hours.
All parks and recreation facilities and libraries in the city are closed through April 27. City facilities will be on the same timeline as other private businesses in the city that have been closed or had service modifications, according to city officials.
Additional details are available on the city’s website.
The first Collin County death was a 64-year-old Plano man who died at a hospital. He had an underlying medical condition and had been infected with COVID-19, officials said.
Four of the city’s cases were Plano police officers who are doing well. One of the officers has returned to work and the others are expected to return soon.
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City closures and news
• The city council had restricted restaurant service and ordered bars, lounges, taverns, theaters, gyms and private clubs to close until April 27 before Abbott’s order doing so until April 30. Restaurants can still offer takeout, delivery, drive-in or drive-thru services, but not dine-in.
• All City Board and Commission meetings, with the exception of Plano City Council, Planning and Zoning and any other meeting required by law, are postponed until their regular May meetings.
• All youth sports leagues are suspended for practice and play. The Plano Sports Authority has also suspended league play.
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• Citizens are encouraged to watch city council meetings online and submit comments of public interest or comments on agenda items electronically to the city secretary, Lisa Henderson, at lisah@plano.gov.
• All meetings at the Plano Event Center, special events and facility rentals will be offered refunds of deposit and/or fees for events.
Preventive posters: City staffers posted posters across the city with smart health tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to thwart the spread of coronavirus and other respiratory diseases. Organizations and businesses are asked to display the posters in areas where the public and their employees gather.
The posters are intended to help schools, senior living facilities, the Chamber of Commerce, the faith-based community, other city partners and residents. Downloadable copies of the posters are also available and may be printed and displayed as needed.
Additionally, the city has prepared a video about COVID-19 and frequently asked questions. Information is also available on the Inside Plano Podcast.
Event cancellations and postponements
Here are some canceled or postponed Plano events that may have been on your calendar, and here’s a list of events across Dallas-Fort Worth.
Plano Symphony Orchestra: The orchestra has canceled all March and April performances, citing the “the health, safety, and well-being of every member of the Plano Symphony Orchestra family” and the North Texas community. Ticket holders can visit their website for information about donating their tickets or other options. If they don’t hear from you by April 17, they will consider the tickets donated.
Plano ISD
The Plano school district had closed schools through May 1 before Abbott said they should remain closed for the rest of the academic year.
“We wish to express gratitude to our entire community of families, staff, volunteers and community partners for your patience and support during these uncertain times,” the district said in a March email. “Plano ISD will remain flexible as we roll out our long-term plan for instructional continuity, and as we continue to navigate the many details of this unprecedented situation.”
During the closure, students will be able to access digital tools the district provides that support in-class learning. They are available through the PISD Webdesk and the student digital backpack, the district’s website states.
The district approved grading changes and gave more powers to its superintendent to help deal with the crisis.
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School meals: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, families will be able to get lunch, along with breakfast for the following day.
This program serves students attending any Plano ISD school. Families can pick up meals curbside in the carpool lanes at the campuses listed below (unless otherwise noted).
Starting April 6, new rules from the Texas Department of Agriculture require that parents picking up free meals must bring documentation for children who are not in the vehicle. Acceptable documentation includes a school-issued student ID, report card, birth certificate or the verification message that all parents received from the district.
Armstrong Middle School (pickup at this location is the bus lane at the rear of the building) 3805 Timberline Drive
Barron Elementary School, 3300 Avenue P
Christie Elementary School, 3801 Rainier Road
Daffron Elementary School, 3900 Preston5510 Channel Isle Drive
IB World School at Huffman Elementary, 5510 Channel Isle Drive
Meadows Elementary School, 2800 18th St.
Mitchell Elementary School, 4223 Briargrove Lane, Dallas
Sigler Elementary School, 1400 Janwood Drive
Thomas Elementary School, 1800 Montana Trail