VIDEO: Texas Tribune interviews Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo about the coronavirus outbreak’s impact in Houston

The Texas Tribune demographics reporter Alexa Ura interviewed Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo in a livestream April 3.

Hidalgo answered questions about how Harris County, which is home to 4.5 million residents and includes much of the city of Houston, is responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Texas Tribune discussed public health, the impact of the county’s “Stay Home, Work Safe” order on the local economy and how county residents are adapting to these new challenges.

On March 24, Hidalgo issued an order requiring all Harris County residents to stay in their homes as much as possible as the state grapples with the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus.

“All of us should stay home unless our jobs are essential for the health and safety of our community,” Hidalgo said. “We are taking all of this one step at a time.”

The order also closed most businesses except those deemed essential, such as grocery stores and hospitals.

As county judge, Hidalgo serves as the head of Harris County's governing body. She was elected to the Harris County Commissioners Court in 2018 and is the first woman to be elected Harris County judge. She also leads the county’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Hidalgo previously worked at the Texas Civil Rights Project.

This conversation was livestreamed April 3 here and on The Texas Tribune social media channels.