CITY OF AMARILLO

OFFICE OF THE
MAYOR

April 29, 2020

The Honorable Greg Abbott

Governor of Texas
P.O.Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711

Re: Response to Meat Packing Plant Hotspots in Potter County and Amarillo

Dear Governor Abbott:

First, thank you for your leadership during this crisis. I am especially grateful for the
direct communication from your office through Mr. Saenz and the state medical team as
Amarillo works to control the hotspots created in Potter County by COVID-19 outbreaks in our
local meat packing plants.

Our COVID-19 numbers have risen sharply in the last week as a result of these hotspots.
As we prepare to reopen with the rest of the State, we need additional resources to address this
problem. The Texans that work at these plants and the communities that live near the plants
need more resources to fight the outbreak. In accordance with President Trump's executive
order signed yesterday, meat packing plants are critical food supply operations. They play a vital
role in the nation's food supply and in the Texas economy. We are asking for your help in
keeping the plants open while keeping the workers and our communities as safe as possible from
COVID-19.

I enclose a list of our current needs and thank you in advance for helping us meet these
needs as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

cc: Senator Kel Seliger u..w ..dson, Mayor

Rep. John Smithee
Rep. Four Price
Judge Nancy Tanner - Potter County
Judge Ernie Houdashell - Randall County
Mr. Mark Bivins - Open Texas Strike Force Special Advisory Council
Mr. Ross Wilson - Texas Cattle Feeders Association

601 S. BUCHANAN ST. • P.O. BOX 1971 • AMARILLO. TEXAS 79105-1971 • 806/378-3000 • FAX 806/378-9394 • TDD 806/378-4229
 Public Health

Amarillo

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

500,000 pair of gloves split between s, m, I, xl

500,000 N95
500,000 isolation masks
500,000 gowns
75,000 goggles
200,000 face shields
500,000 biohazard disposal bags

COVID Testing Kits & Supplies:

500,000 swabs
250,000 Cepheid PCR test kits
25,000 Biofire PCR test kits
50,000 Abbot IDNow Test kits
50,000 Abbot Innovation Test kits
200,000 biohazard bags

Healthcare Staffing:

• 30 Contract Tracers

• 8 practitioners to augment a team of 20 to support testing of packing plant employees (goal

4,000 tests in 48 hours). Request for State lab to cover the testing of packing plant employees,
with priority results.
• 200 nursing staff (combination of Nurse/CNA) to augment staffing at long-term care facilities,
alternate care site, and healthcare infrastructure in Potter/Randall County.

Other Equipment/Facility Needs

• 100 ventilators.

• 100 iPads with cellular data and a suite programs.

• Lease agreement for building at 850 Martin Rd, co-located to public health.

Amarillo Public Health

Amarillo Area Public Health District
1000 Martin Road, Amarillo, TX 79107
(806)378-6300
amarillopublichealth.org