San Antonio's Briscoe Western Art Museum Announces Plans to Reopen, Tackling A New Frontier

In its own words, the Briscoe Western Art Museum "welcomes everyone to saddle up and ride West again on May 23," as the institution announced plans to reopen its doors on that date.

General admission will be half-price from May 23-25, and healthcare workers can venture forth for free through this summer.

One can't help but think of the hazards of the trail. The museum plans to open at 25% capacity following the breakneck pace of Governor Abbott's reopening plan while Texas' testing capacity for COVID-19 remains well below the benchmark agreed among healthcare experts.

The museum isn't being cavalier about reopening, though. New safety protocols include PPE for all employees, plexiglass shields at counters, ubiquitous hand-sanitizer, disposable gloves for gift shoppers and security staff directed to enforce social distancing.

So much concern for safety may be at odds with the gung-ho feel of the American West, but maybe that's a good thing.

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