This report was first posted oltonomline.com at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 3, 2020. It has been updated to provide more details about the special Olton City Council meeting that took place.

“We are in a serious epidemic, and I want people to do what is best for everybody,” Mayor Mark McFadden said Friday as the Olton City Council declined to institute a Stay At Home order.

Instead, the council opted to authorize the mayor and City Administrator Keeley Adams, the city’s Emergency Management coordinators, to issue a Stay At Home order if a local need should arise. That’s exactly what the mayor had hoped the council would do.

“I want to urge the citizens to continue self distancing and practicing good hygiene,” he said. “Be considerate of others and their space. If you are sick, stay home. The last thing I want to do is issue a Stay At Home order, but if we have to, we will.”

On a 7-0 vote, the council approved a motion by Councilman Lupe Ruiz authorizing McFadden and Adams to issue an order “when deemed necessary.” Councilman Dereck Roberson seconded the motion.

The action came during a special called meeting. During about 30 minutes of discussion, McFadden and council members made it plain that they see no need for an order when residents seem to be complying with Stay At Home guidelines issued by Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this week. McFadden noted that Lamb County has not issued a Stay At Home order either. He pointed out that most local businesses are considered essential under the guidelines because they are ag-based businesses, and other non-essential local businesses have already voluntarily closed or switched to online sales.

The governor’s protocols direct all Texans to minimize non-essential gatherings and in-person contact with persons who are not in the same household. They also instruct Texans to avoid eating and drinking at bars and restaurants. Exceptions are made for essential services such as healthcare, grocery stores, banking and financial services, childcare for essential service employees and government services.

“Keeley and I have been talking about everybody’s Stay At Home deals, these orders they have all around the state,” McFadden said. “I don’t feel like at this time we need to do one. The only time that we might is if we actually have a case come too Olton.”

But he acknowledged that some people would say that would be too late.

“I don’t want to be out there with me and Keeley alone saying, ‘OK everyone stay home,’” the mayor said. “There are towns that don’t have any coronavirus in them, and they are doing Stay At Home, and even monitoring people coming into town with their police force. We can’t do that. We are not big enough.”

“I want to hear your opinions on whether it ought to be done now or later,” McFadden told the council as the discussion began.

Ruiz said Olton residents are already complying without emergency management coordinators or the Olton City Council issuing an order.

“I think that for the most part, our citizens are taking this pretty serious,” the councilman said. “I see everybody kind of being careful. I see that for the most part people are being responsible. If some cases were to pop up, at that point I think it would be appropriate, but for the most part, people are doing their part right now.”

Roberson noted that business traffic has slowed down tremendously.

“It is almost eerie,” he said. “I’m good with the status quo.”

McFadden said that even if an order was issued, self monitoring would be required to make it work in Olton.

“That’s the thing; it’s hard to enforce,” Adams said. “You just hope people are respectful of others and take care of the rest of the community.” 

Acknowledging Stay At Home orders in Hale, Hockley, Lubbock, Castro counties, but not in Bailey County, Councilman Alan Williams said, “I think you have to be proactive to keep in front of it. We don’t want something to happen this weekend where we can’t do it if we have to do it.”

“It’s like the deal with 10 people. It only takes one,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if there is three, four or five. If there is that one wrong person, people will get it and spread it. The 10 number is kind of a fallacy because it just takes that one person.”

But Williams expressed concern about issuing an order when residents are already complying without it.

“If you tell them they can’t do something, they are going to do it,” he said.

Councilman Steven Rodriguez said he took a golf cart cruise around town.

“They were staying to themselves and walking,” he said. “But you don’t know who might have it. They touch something and then you touch it, and you have it.”

Councilman Tracy DeBerry was open to the council issuing an order, but he also didn’t find it totally necessary.

“It needs to be taken seriously,” he said. “It is just a matter of time. It’s all over Lubbock and Plainview. I’m not huge of doing one way or another, but I don’t see a problem with it either.”

Roberson said issuing a Stay At Home order would not change anything.

“ It is not going to affect any businesses,” he said. “Right now it’s ‘Please stay home,’ and if we issue one it’s ‘No seriously, please stay home.’”

McFadden indicated he wouldn’t hesitate to issue a Stay At Home order if the situation changes.

“I can do it without your authorization, but I didn’t want to do it because of our community and the way we have so many agricultural businesses,” he said. “But if there are things getting out of hand that need to be addressed with a more stringent order, then just let me know.”

He said the situation is being monitored daily.

Should the mayor and city administrator issue an order, the council would meet within seven days to determine if the order would stand.

Plainview-Hale County Health Department is confirming five new COVID-19 cases in Hale County

First Case: The first confirmed case in Hale County was reported on March 24th. A gentleman, age range 20-40, has recovered.

Second Case: The adult female (age range 21-40) is currently at home. Her transmission type is Outside of County.

Third Case: The adult female (age range 41-60) is currently at home. Her transmission type is Outside of County.

Fourth Case: The adult male (age range 41-60) is currently at home. His transmission type is Local.

Fifth Case: The adult male (age range 60+) is currently at home. His transmission type is Outside of County.

Sixth Case: The adult female (age range 61+) is currently at a medical facility. Her transmission type is considered Local.

Plainview / Hale County Health Department and other response agencies have employed standard response plans designed to address and resolve public health issues and will continue monitoring individuals as indicated by the CDC. They will also continue to prepare for the possibility of more local cases and will update the public accordingly.

Texas Department of State Health Services and Lamb County Judge Mike DeLoach have confirm that a Littlefield resident has tested positive for COVID-19.

DeLoach released a statement Friday, March 27, 2020 immediately after receiving confirmation from TDSHS.

“We do not have any further information at this time,” the county judge said. “As is standard procedure, the DSHS is investigating this incident. Everything is being done that can be done to identify those who are directly affected by this situation. As new information is available, I will continue to receive updates and will keep the public up to date.”

DeLoach encouraged all Lamb County residents to continue to follow the policies and recommendations of the TDSHS and the Centers for Disease Control.

“Additionally, I encourage anyone who is contacted by TDSHS to cooperate fully, giving them as much information as possible to make sure all people affected by this case can be identified and monitored,” he said. “Of course, if anyone is advised to self-quarantine, please do so.”

DeLoach indicated it had been an issue of “when” rather than “if” Lamb County would have a confirmed case.

“I want to remind everyone that this is not a surprise to any of us,” he said. “For some time now,

COVID-19 has been confirmed in most of the counties surrounding us. We have been

working to prepare and respond to this virus in a safe and effective manner.”

“I hope the citizens of our great county will join me in remembering who we are,” the judge said. “We are going to embrace this family, and respect their privacy while working to keep our citizens safe and healthy. The people of this county are good, Christian people. We look after our neighbors, and stand up for what is right. Nothing about that will change now.”

DeLoach assured residents that county and municipal government are doing all they can to protect residents.

“It’s up to each of us to be careful not to take unnecessary risks, and to abide by all the recommendations of the TDSHS and CDC,” he said.

The judge said this is no time to panic.

“Lamb County citizens must continue to do what we do best — to take care of our families, and check on our neighbors,” he said.

DeLoach expressed appreciation for the “cooperative and responsible efforts of our citizens” in working together “during an ever-changing time.”

The City of Olton is requesting residents make use of the drop box located on the left-hand side of the front door at City Hall to help protect individuals from the coronavirus.

The lobby is now limited to one person at a time during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Water payments can be left in the drop box. Call City Hall at 806-285-2611 to request a balance or set up an appointment to pick up change and a receipt of a water bill payment. 

Also, paperwork can be dropped off in the drop box to renew vehicle registrations. Call to make an appointment to pick up the paperwork. It can also be renewed online at TXDMV.GOV. Law enforcement officers have given a 60-day grace period for expired registrations during this time of pandemic. 

City officials are requesting residents follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines, which can be found on Page 3. The CDC states that six feet need to be between you and the nearest person. Also the City has announced that if an individual has been out of the country or is running a fever, coughing or has been exposed to anyone who has been, they will not be allowed into the lobby. 

If any other city services are needed, contact City Hall at 806-285-2611.