Specifically: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, Wharton counties.

We are extremely concerned about how the city of Houston and surrounding counties are handling COVID-19. As citizens, we fear that the lack of communication with us is only making matters worse and ultimately puts everyone in danger.

The United States Government, CDC, and other organizations have stated the importance of being informed and leaning into the information we are provided.

However, as Houston area citizens, we are not being provided with COVID-19 case information that we need to know to keep ourselves and our families safe. It is the lack of information that is causing people not to take COVID-19 seriously, which is putting all citizens (especially those with underlying health conditions and elderly) in danger.

On March 12, 2020 KHOU 11 reported that “Only one Houston-area county will release the number of COVID-19 tests performed.”

Most importantly, the article states, “Health departments in Harris County, Houston and Fort Bend County released a statement saying they will not disclose the number of patients they have tested until this point, claiming the information would “lead to misinformation, which can create unnecessary, often confused, alarmed public reaction.” Link to source.

The “confused and alarmed public reaction” is what we currently have because citizens feel like we are left in the dark.

This is a public health emergency. Counties, the state of Texas, and the United States have all declared disasters. We deserve far more transparency than what we are currently provided.

On Saturday, March 14, A Volusia County (Florida), Sheriff released numbers that the Florida Health Department is censoring and criticizes the lack of certain information. He states, "An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people”.

He goes on to say, “Since I’m the chief law enforcement official in Volusia County, I think it’s my responsibility to provide more transparency than has been provided so far. I can’t share the names or addresses of those who are being monitored related to coronavirus. But I think you deserve to at least know the cities where a total of 20 potential cases exist.” Link to source.

We shouldn't have to wait on a brave whistleblower, like the Sheriff, to emerge from the Houston area before we get the critical information we need.

Houston area citizens - Sign this petition today and make your voice heard. We need at least 10,000 signatures to get the attention of the media. Let’s make some noise and push for immediate action by the city.



Here is what we want to have happen:



1. More transparency on local COVID-19 cases (as much as allowed by HIPAA regulations, including locations i.e. community/town/city/area.)



2. Daily local/community updates on how many people are being tested in each community, not just county level. We need to know where potential hot spots are before it's too late.



We deserve much more transparency. We deserve information that can help keep us and our families safe. We deserve information that can help us keep the elderly and those with compromised immune systems and underlying health conditions safe (all ages, including children).

Let’s make some noise and save lives by getting the critical information we need.

Thank you. You are signing this so you can show your support for transparency regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) communication in the Houston, Texas area so we can gain media attention and the attention of local Government officials to make the changes we need to see immediately.



Please sign and share this petition everywhere on social, text, email, and everywhere you can.