Now that Governor Abbott has issued his orders opening Texas and Dallas economies as of May 1st, it is more important than ever that businesses and residents follow the established health protocols and social distancing guidelines set out in the plan. Dallas County will be closely monitoring the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations to ensure that the increase in commercial activity doesn’t come at the expense of our residents’ health and safety. I still encourage residents to continue practicing social distancing and wear face coverings in public places. If you don’t feel safe going outside, it’s okay to stay home!