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What is a coronavirus? Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19. (source: who.int)
What Are The Symptoms? The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.
Protection measures for everyone Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. Many countries around the world have seen cases of COVID-19 and several have seen outbreaks. Authorities in China and some other countries have succeeded in slowing or stopping their outbreaks. However, the situation is unpredictable so check regularly for the latest news.
You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately. Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority. Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely). If possible, avoid traveling to places – especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease. Why? You have a higher chance of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas.
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Daniel Cardinal DiNardo announced on Tuesday, that all weekday and Sunday Masses will be suspended in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston starting on Wednesday, March 18.
Baptism of infants: The celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism is to be postponed, unless there is danger or death.
Weddings: Limited to celebration of the Marriage Rite outside of Mass itself, with no more than 10 people in attendance, including ministers.
Funerals: May only take place in the form of “The Rite of Committal with Final Commendation.” A memorial Mass can be rescheduled.
Holy Week: Particular directives will be given for Holy Week in the event the crisis continues through that time period.
Holy Water Fronts: Drain and clean all Holly Water fonts and do not refill at this time.
Reconciliation/Confession: To be made available where possible. Penance services are cancelled.
Anointing of the Sick: Priest are to attend the needs of the sick.
Harris County Jury Duty As of March 17, all jury calls have been suspended through Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Jurors who received a summons through March 31 do not need to appear and do not have to reschedule their service. Jurors summoned for Justice of the Peace Court will need to call their Court for the most updated information. Jurors currently serving on a trial still need to appear.
Houston Art Car Parade This year’s Art Car Parade, which was scheduled to kick off Saturday, April 16, has been canceled, according to the parade’s website.
Houston Rooftop Cinema Club The popular rooftop cinema club decided to postpone its season’s launch due to COVID-19. According to their statement, the rooftops will not open until May 1, but that could change.
Memorial City Mall Memorial City is closing its ice skating rink, Frolic’s Castle, the Venetian Carousel, and all common areas events through May 10. The mall has also modified its hours: Monday through Saturday, they will open 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
While the mall remains open, some of the retail stores have decided to temporarily close. You can view the full list of stores closed on their website.
Hobby Center As a response to the CDC limiting group gatherings of 50 or more people, the Hobby Center will close Sarofim Hall and Zilkha Hall from March 17 to April. The performing arts center staff is working to reschedule all performances.
You can find more information on tickets and performances rescheduled on their website.
River Oaks Theatre River Oaks is temporarily closed.
“The decision allows our staff to remain at home during this critical time. We will be constantly reevaluating the best way forward at all of our locations.”
Sam’s Club Starting Tuesday, March 17, Sam’s Club are shifting to new store hours. The new hours will be from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. The reason for new hours is to ensure that associates have enough time to restock, and to clean and sanitize each store. Their Sunday hours will remain 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Pre-scheduled pick-up orders will be available starting at 7 a.m.
Asia Society Texas Center The building, exhibitions and Pondi Cafe will close until further notice. The remaining public programs and events in March and April have also either been canceled or postponed.
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston The museum will temporarily close starting Monday, March 16 at 5 p.m.
Children’s Museum of Houston The museum announced on Monday that it will temporarily close until the end of March. Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center will also close.
All community outreach programs and private events scheduled at the museums will no longer occur
Minefaire The Minefaire event scheduled for April 18 – 19 in Houston will be postponed. Minefaire and NRG Center are working to choose a new date for the fall. The tickets purchased will be valid for the new date
Nutcracker Market In efforts to keep shoppers, merchants, sponsors, committee members, etc. safe and healthy, it was announced on Monday that the Nutcracker Market set for April 17-19 at the NRG Center has been canceled.
For those who purchased tickets, here are some options you can take to get a refund or make a donation.
Request a full refund to the original form of payment
Donate your payment to Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market
If you purchased an early bird ticket of $30, you can transfer that amount toward an early bird ticket of $50 for the Nutcracker Market 40th Anniversary, which will take place November 12 – 15 at NRG Center. You will be charged the additional $20 to your original payment
If you purchased a general admission ticket from H-E-B, you can request a refund at that same location yo u made the purchase
City of Houston trials and jury duty Officials released a statement Sunday, saying: In an effort to continue to encourage the health and safety of the public and court staff members from the spread of the COVID-19, the City of Houston Municipal Courts Department has suspended all Jury Trials and Jury Duty during the period of Monday, March 16, 2020 through Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Houston Public Libraries Mayor Sylvester Turner confirms all Houston public libraries will be closed until March 18 of efforts to maintain social distancing.
Space Center Houston The Space Center released a statement saying the will close Saturday, March 14, at 6:00 p.m., and remain closed through March 27.
It ensured that there have been no cases of exposure at the center. The statement partially read: As Houston’s leading science and space exploration learning center and trusted community space, we are acting in an abundance of caution with the health and safety of our guests, staff and volunteers as our top priority and responsibility.
IRONMAN races In emails sent to participants, organizers of the 2020 Memorial Hermann IRONMAN 70.3 Texas triathlon, which was set for April 5, and the 2020 IRONMAN Texas triathlon, which was scheduled for April 25, canceled the events.
Houston Grand Opera On March 13, HGO announced the cancellation of all performances of “Salome” and “The Magic Flute,” as well as all associated events. All ticketholders will be contacted in the coming days, HGO said.
Houston Latino Film Festival It is with deep disappointment that we must announce that the Houston Latino Film Festival to be held March 19-22 has been postponed due to increasing local and global concerns of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Houston Latino Film Festival is dedicated to giving all attendees an enjoyable experience, and the health and safety of all our guests, patrons and volunteers is top priority. With the recent emergency health declaration for the city of Houston and surrounding areas, we have determined it is in the best interest of the Houston Latino Film Festival and its attendees to postpone until late 2020.
All tickets and badges purchased for this year’s Houston Latino Film Festival will still be honored for admission to the festival as rescheduled later in the year.
Announcement of new dates for 2020 Houston Latino Film Festival will be made online at houstonlatinofilmfestival.org and the HLFF Facebook page
Houston Zoo The zoo released a statement saying that it will close at 7 p.m. and remain closed until April 3.
It reads, in part: The Houston Zoo connects communities with animals to inspire action to save wildlife. We recognize that visiting the Zoo is much more than experiencing wildlife up close, but is also an opportunity to enjoy the wonder of the natural world with family and friends. We have been closely monitoring the constantly evolving situation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and we feel it is our responsibility to do what we can to help reduce the rapid spread of COVID-19.
The Houston Bar Association canceled all of its scheduled Friday and Saturday veterans legal clinics held at DeBakey VA Medical Center and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics until further notice.
Hangout Fest has been canceled
Bayou City Half Marathon Series: Vintage Park Half Marathon
Comicpalooza (will return 5/21-5/23/2021)
Harris County District Courts have suspended jury service from Friday, March 13 to Friday, March 20. Jurors who have received a summons for these dates do not need appear and do not need to reschedule.
Houston Ballet has decided to cancel this month’s performances of Forged in Houston and move the dates to May 21-31.
The Alley Theatre has canceled all performances, events, camps and classes through March 31. All scheduled events after March 31 are expected to take place as planned.
The McDonald’s Houston Children’s Festival.
Annual CERAWeek conference
RodeoHouston
Greater Houston Partnership cancelling all events through April
SXSW festival
Tour de Houston (rescheduled)
18th Annual Run for the Rose reschedule for October 18
Bayou City Classic
Fans will not be allowed to attend any March Madness games
All events have been cancelled at Discovery Green through April 1, but The Roller Rink, The Lake House and The Grove will stay open.
The Bayou City Art Festival scheduled for March 27-29 in Memorial Park has been postponed.
Lakewood Church canceled public services for Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15. Services will be streamed on the church’s Facebook page, YouTube and online at LakewoodChurch.com.
The University of Houston has canceled its Frontier Fiesta 2020 due to COVID-19 and emergency health declaration All Buffalo Bayou Partnership events and programs beginning March 12 until April 1
Project Row Houses canceled the opening event and market for Round 51:Local Impact II on Saturday, March 14; Expected to resume Wednesday, March 18, 2020 from 12-5 p.m.
Tomball German Festival
Grand Slam/Astros Fun at Bat for Youth Baseball events scheduled for March 12 – 31
H-Town Soccer for Success Academy Monday scheduled for March 12 – 31
Youth Soccer Tournament/Soccer for Success Tournament at Mason Park scheduled for March 14 – 15
Hands Percussion Malaysia on March 20 and Noche Caliente with Ismael Miranda on March 21 at Miller Outdoor Theater will be postponed
Mandala Earth Flow at Emancipation Park on March 28
Heights Kids’ Day of Music at Love Park on March 28
Trash Bash at various locations on March 28
Children’s Festival at Sam Houston Park from April 4 – 5
Japan Festival Houston at Hermann Park, from May 2 – 3 is postponed potentially to the fall
The Montgomery County Fair has been canceled
Rock the Row free concert series in Hughes Landing in The Woodlands, originally scheduled for March 19, March 26 and April 2, will resume in the summer with dates to be announced.
Friday Night Bites in Bridgeland, originally scheduled for March 13, is currently expected to resume on April 3.
Founders Club Tree Dedication Ceremonies and House Concerts in Bridgeland and The Woodlands Hills, previously scheduled for March 27 and March 28 respectively, will be rescheduled for April 24 and 25.
Houston Parks and Recreation Department produced and co-sponsored events in the month of March
Cirque du Soleil’s ALEGRIA show beginning Thursday, March 12 until April 12.
The Hobby Center’s Paw Patrol Live show postponed until further notice.
Stages Theatre canceled performances through Sunday, March 22.
