Mayor Sylvester Turner, in his quest to reduce the spread of COVID-19, has requested that the Texas Republican Convention scheduled in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention for July 16-18th be shut down.

"I believe canceling the convention is the responsible action to take," he said. "I would ask them to be mindful of the employees, of the people who are working at the George R. Brown convention center, people who are even working at the hotels, people who will serving ... be mindful of their health."

Texas is already one of nine states considered as a hot spot for COVID-19 for the record-breaking number of positive cases. It is likely that bringing a convention that attracts thousands will further raise the number of positive cases as well as put more Houstonians at risk. All other in-person conventions that were to be held in Houston this year have already been canceled and are planned to be held in 2021. The only hold out is the Texas GOP.

If the convention proceeds, health officials will be onsite to ensure all rules are followed. The rules are ones we have become very familiar with distancing six feet from another person, wearing facial covers, and washing your hands. An additional requirement of convention-goers is that their names, hotel stays, and city where they live to be provided to Houston officials.

Mayor Turner has drafted a letter to the State Republican Executive Committee stating the guidelines all with the Texas GOP must follow.

"To the extent that any of these measures are not adhered to, and adhered to in the strictest of terms, then the health inspectors will have the authority to immediately close the convention at that point," said Mayor Turner according to KTRK 13.

The Republican Party Chairman, James Dickey said they have already had a plan to ensure the safety of convention-goers such as thermal scans at all entrances, making asks available for those who don’t have one, having hand sanitizer readily available, and rearranging the floor plan to accommodate social distancing.

Mayor Turner is not alone in wanting the Texas GOP to have a virtual convention.

The Texas Medical Association also supports Mayor Turner in canceling the in-person convention. In a statement, Dr. Diana Fite, president of the state's largest medical group, said, "With or without masks, an indoor gathering of thousands of people from all around the state in a city with tens of thousands of active COVID-19 cases poses a significant health risk to conventiongoers, convention workers, health care workers, and the residents of Houston."

With an expected attendance of 6,000, Mayor Turner has said a gathering of this size is not wise or prudent. Gov. Greg Abbott recently issued a new state order for the requirement of masks to be worn by all Texans when in public spaces. In that same order, Gov. Abbott restricted outdoor gathering for groups larger than 10 people. There are an expected 6,000 people to attend the Texas GOP. Mayor Turner has said a gathering of this size is not wise or prudent. What say you, Gov. Abbott? No official comment has come from Gov. Abbott about the issue.

All other conventions scheduled in Houston for this fall have been canceled and plans are under to have their conventions in 2021. The Texas GOP is the only hold out wanting their convention to proceed as planned.