Mr. Shepherd’s responsibilities have grown more intense as he scrambles to respond to the coronavirus. On Monday, an order was issued limiting all Houston restaurants to pickup, delivery and drive-through service. Mr. Shepherd had already reduced the hours and ramped up the takeout operations at all of his businesses. He was also forced to cancel Southern Smoke’s spring fund-raiser, scheduled for later this month. Houstonians debate how much credit Mr. Shepherd deserves for the state’s rising status, but they agree that he benefits from it.

Source: New York Times March 17, 2020 15:56 UTC