Daily Update on COVID-19 in Smith County

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

#SpreadFactsNotFear

www.MyNETHealth.org/Coronavirus

Click to Download for FREE!

Daily Update on COVID-19 in Smith County

Thursday, April 2, 2020

#SpreadFactsNotFear

www.MyNETHealth.org/Coronavirus

Tyler, Texas (Thursday, April 2)

There are 47 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Smith County as of Thursday, April 2 at 12 p.m.

There is one (1) COVID-19 related fatality within Smith County as of Thursday, April 2 at 12 p.m.

There are currently zero (0) reported recovered cases in Smith County as of Thursday, April 2 at 12 p.m.

Confirmed cases in Smith County: 47

*Northeast Texas Public Health District PIO: Terrence Ates, (903) 343-5451

The Smith County Emergency Operations Center is active and meeting seven days a week to coordinate the best response for the Smith County community.

Smith County is currently under a Stay at Home Order issued by Judge Nathaniel Moran on Friday, March 27.

Plans underway to assist emergency medical personnel with housing and childcare

At 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, the joint Smith County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) announced support strategies for emergency medical personnel should the Smith County community experience a major surge with the COVID-19 virus. Plans include housing and childcare support through partner agencies of the Tyler Independent School District, the University of Texas at Tyler and Tyler Junior College.

Facilities will be dedicated for daycare and extended-stay housing by these agencies should this become a need. The EOC and partners are prepared to deploy these resources within 24 hours of notice.

City of Tyler

The City of Tyler will extend modified facility operations until Friday, May 1. All events City-operated or in a City facility have been suspended through May 1.

Get more information on closures or adjusted services:

https://www.cityoftyler.org/government/departments/communications/coronavirus-updates

City of Tyler PIO: Jenny Wells, (903) 944-9136

Smith County

Most Smith County offices remains open to the public, but with limited walk-in services. The County encourages people to conduct their businesses online. Many non-essential services are by appointment only. The Smith County Tax Office is closed to the public until further notice, but is still working to assist Smith County residents and businesses. People can pay their property taxes over the phone, online or through mail. People can renew their auto registration online or through the mail. They are also continuing to service car dealers who need title work. For more information, call (903) 590-2920 or visit: https://www.smith-county.com/government/elected-officials/tax-assessor

Jury duty continues to be suspended through May 1. For a full list of adjusted Smith County services, please visit https://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/corona-virus-information.

The annual Smith County-Wide Clean Up program, which allows residents to take bulky items to the landfill for free, is underway and is extended through the end of May. Smith County residents can use vouchers, available at www.smith-county.com,  on the Commissioners Court page, to redeem at the Greenwood Farms Landfill, at 12920 Farm-to-Market Road 2767, or Old Kilgore Highway, in Tyler.

Smith County PIO: Casey Murphy, (903) 590-4607

Tyler Independent School District

Governor Greg Abbott has extended his executive order closing school facilities with the possibility of returning to classes May 4. During this time, Tyler ISD will continue its Distance Learning and Free Curbside Meals programs. Beginning Monday, April 6, Dixie Elementary School will be an added Curbside Meals location. Social and emotional learning resources are available to students and parents on the tylerisd.org/distancelearning web page. Campus counselors are also able to provide online counseling video phone calls and/or video chats. To request counseling services, students and parents can submit a Counseling Referral Form on their school counselor’s web page. For updates, information and frequently asked questions, go to www.tylerisd.org/covid19.

TISD PIO: Jennifer Hines, (903) 521-5887

Hospital Updates

Both CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic and UT Health East Texas have expanded telehealth services and online screening tools to best serve their patients. Telehealth services will be HIPPA-compliant.

If you are experiencing or developing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, call to speak with a clinician who will provide telephonic triage and make appropriate referrals in accordance with CDC guidelines. Additionally, you may visit www.coronavirus.gov and take a “Coronavirus Self-Checker” assessment. This will help you communicate symptoms to your doctor when you call their office before making a visit.

To coordinate prescreening and referral directly with UT Health East Texas, patients may call (903) 596- DOCS.

To coordinate prescreening and referral directly with CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, patients may call (903) 606-DOCS.

**In the event of an emergency, call 911.

The Joint Information Center

The Joint Information Center (J.I.C.) has been put in place as an information agency to best communicate with the public from a centralized location for agencies like the City of Tyler, Smith County, Tyler Independent School District and the Northeast Public Health District.

See Daily Update on COVID-19 in Smith County

My NetHealth Updates

Need food or other help like clinics? Go HERE.

Information for COVID-19 Employers, Jobseekers and Child Care

The Texas Department of State Health Services is tracking cases of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The numbers include confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported by local and regional public health jurisdictions to DSHS and are listed by the person’s county of residence.

Ok, I’ll admit to having a few days off was kinda nice. I’m not saying I accomplished anything but I did at least get to veg some on the couch and finally get my clocks reset for Daylight Savings Time. Oh, and most importantly, I  got to try some of ETX Brewing, 221 S. Broadway in Downtown Tyler (rather the “Just Off the Square” area) beers that I have been wanting to check out via their new custom-made Sampler 6-packs!

Yes, you read that right. ETX Brewing is now offering 6-packs that they have custom-made with one each of six of their beers! These include one of each of their favorites: 1846 IPA, Park Ranger, Lost Gem, Hitching Post, Texas Stout of Mind, and Brickstreet Blonde.

Each beer has a different style and taste. This is a great way to try them out and practice social distancing.

Speaking of which, ETX is taking action above and beyond the CDC recommendations. This includes Curbside Service for 6 packs of Beer & Growlers (YES!!!!). If you would like to place a curbside order, please call ahead at (903)630-7720. They are open regular business hours until further notice.

• 1846 IPA: An American style IPA. At the bottom range of bitterness for the style and dry-hopped with bold, fruity El Dorado hops. LOUIE’S FAV!
• Park Ranger: Orange Creamsicle Milkshake IPA. Citrusy orange flavors & aroma from massive dry hopping with a creamy mouth-feel from the addition of milk, sugar, and low bitterness.
• Lost Gem: Classic German-style Kolsch, lightly hopped with German Spalt hops. This is a great thirst-quenching summer beer.
• Hitching Post:  A medium body, easy drinking Amber Ale with a perfect balance of malt and hops producing caramel notes and malty sweetness.
• Texas Stout of Mind: This chocolate, coffee and oatmeal stout aka Breakfast Stout is made with Belgium chocolate and locally roasted coffee from Texas State of Mind!
• Brickstreet Blonde: A classic American Blonde Ale that is light, crisp, and lightly hopped with mild maltiness.

More Info

ETX Brewing Co. is a family-owned Microbrewery located just “Off the Square,” in Downtown, Tyler, TX. From their Facebook page: “We provide quality craft beers to a wide range of enthusiasts. Our beers appeal to those looking to enter the craft beer market and equally to those dedicated to the craft beer movement; our products push the palette’s limit with creative styles. Our values are centered around making a positive impact on the community while becoming a great representation of craft brewers.”

Check them out outside on their picnic tables. The Porch is right next door and part of the ETX Brewing family.

ETX Brewing Company welcomes your pets outside on the patio.

Convenient parking in the FREE parking garage is right next door.

Brian and Matt, brothers, have been brewing collectively for 20 years. Through this passion for creativity, they turned their focus from a hobby and an outlet, into a plan to pursue a dream. ETX Brewing Co. is a production brewery and taproom, representing a business that has a focus to help the community.

ETX Brewing is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and online at etxbrew.com.

The 2020 Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival Returns to Downtown Tyler

The new date has been set for Sunday, October 11th. It will be the same setup as normal, just on a Sunday:  https://facebook.com/events/s/2020-red-dirt-bbq-music-festiv/1332463773558598/?ti=icl

May 2nd October 11th, the 7th annual Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival presented by Hyundai of Longview will be held in Downtown Tyler, and with it comes the best of barbecue in Texas and top of the line music all day. 

The Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival has proven to be one of the most premier and unique music and food experiences in Texas. The festival takes place on the brick streets of the Downtown Square in Tyler every May, with the 2020 edition featuring at least 30 of the most celebrated barbecue restaurants in Texas. Music happens for nearly 12 hours on two stages, with the main stage highlighting the biggest names in Texas and Red Dirt Music. 

This year’s festival will also feature the state’s most celebrated barbecue restaurants providing samples of their smoked meats to attendees. Barbecue joints from as close as Tyler and as far as Amarillo converge on the Rose City to showcase their smoked meats to thousands of barbecue enthusiasts, while thousands more pour onto the brick streets for the concert. 

Performances this year feature Parker McCollum (10pm), Josh Abbott Band (8:15pm), Jason Boland & The Stragglers (6:45pm), Charley Crockett (5:15pm), and Chris Colston (3:45pm).

“Top to bottom, I don’t think there’s ever been a Red Dirt lineup we’ve been more excited about. Having these names join our incredible barbecue joints was a huge honor for our sixth festival,” Red Dirt promoter Chase Colston said. “We’re expecting an even faster sellout this year and can’t wait to get back on the brick streets for another great Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival.” 

The festival is sold out. Watch reddirtbbqfest.com in case any more tickets are released.

The Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival is presented by 101.5 KNUE, East Texas’ No. 1 country music station, “Radio Texas, LIVE! With Buddy Logan,” and Hyundai of Longview.