By Gail M. Willims
Muleshoe Journal Correspondent

The City of Muleshoe has canceled the 2020 July 4 Parade, “A Day of Honor,” in accordance with a proclamation by Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday, June 23.
The proclamation by Abbott reads in part: “For any outdoor gathering estimated to be in excess of 100 people … the county judge or mayor, as appropriate, in consultation with the local public health authority, may impose additional restrictions.”
On Monday, June 29, Mayor Cliff Black and City Manager Ramon Sanchez conferred and made the decision to cancel the parade, according to City Secretary Zanea Carpenter.
However, food vendors will still be set up and open for business along American Blvd., and fireworks will take place at dusk, according to Chamber of Commerce Director Andrea Alfaro.
In his introduction to the proclamation, Abbott referred to the disaster declaration issued on March 13, certifying under Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) poses an imminent threat of disaster for all counties in the State of Texas, and that in each subsequent month effective through June 23, he has renewed the disaster declaration for all Texas counties.
According to a Facebook post by Muleshoe/Bailey County Emergency Management, as of 8:19 p.m. June 27, there were 52 active coronavirus cases in Bailey County. The number tested was 489, confirmed 105, recovered 52 and deaths 1.
In a recorded video posted on Facebook two weeks ago, Police Chief Gary McHone said that since a week prior to the video, the cases of coronavirus in Bailey County have grown “exponentially higher.”
He added that there is no hot spot per se, and that increased numbers were due to cases found in members of the county jail staff.
Earlier this month, nine employees and 36 inmates tested positive for COVID-19 at Bailey County Jail.
McHone strongly recommended that people continue to wear face masks, practice social distancing, use hand sanitizer and sanitize surfaces “better than you ever have before.”
“When you’re going into grocery stores and places where you know there’s going to be a lot of people, we strongly encourage you to wear those masks,” he said.
McHone affirmed that taking these precautions would help the city and county keep COVID-19 numbers down.
“It’s basically community spread,” he said.
For more information, go to muleshoe/bailey county emergency mgmt. facebook.
Alfaro said three July 4 events will still be held.
The Senior Citizens Center barbecue begins with drive-thru and delivery at 10:45 a.m. Inside dining starts at noon.
Shipman’s Body Shop, owned by Todd Shipman, will have a come-and go-car show in honor of their 50th business anniversary. The show starts at 10 a.m. at the body shop.
The Country Club 4-Person Scramble will begin at 1 p.m. The cost is $50 per player or $200 per team. A hamburger lunch by the pool will follow.