July 17, 2021 ANOTHER Covid surge—really?!—plus an historic space flight, Texas legislators bugging out to DC, Lakeway Council’s double-header meeting, good books, sweet fawns, and much more.

The Coronavirus

Worldwide, the official Covid-19 death toll has now exceeded 4 million people. Horrific as that number is, experts say the actual death rate is far higher.

As a wave of infections hit the Asia Pacific region, South Korea (with just 10% of its population vaccinated) recently recorded its highest ever daily case totals. Indonesia is also setting records. In Myanmar, surging cases have prompted the military to hoard oxygen, denying it to hospitals and clinics. A surge in Japan caused a state of emergency in Tokyo; despite cases already popping up in the athletes’ Olympic Village, the Games are still on, but spectators will be banned.

Last week, Russia recorded its highest number of daily deaths since the pandemic began. The Netherlands opened restaurants and bars a few weeks ago; now, it has a surge of new cases. Across Africa, the death rate jumped by 40% last week.

The UK still plans to lift all pandemic restrictions on July 19, despite the fact that new infections there are at a 6-month high. Plus, hospitalizations and deaths are at the highest levels since March. The Health Secretary tested positive for Covid last week. Experts warn that lifting restrictions, which is being done for political reasons and despite protests, will fuel the current surge further.

In the US, the Delta variant is responsible for well over 60% of infections. New cases are up 120%, and hospitalizations are up 30%, from 2 weeks previously. Deaths are also rising again (up 20% in 2 weeks), after falling for months. Here we go again….

While every state shows a recent uptick in new cases, infection rates in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi are among the highest in the US – and their vaccination rates are among the lowest. Cases are highest among the middle aged and young adults, who don’t consider themselves at risk. Missouri hospitals are swamped with Covid patients, creating desperate scenes reminiscent of NYC in 2020; many hospitals in southern Missouri recently ran out of ventilators. The surge is blamed on paltry vaccination rates (under 20% on some counties), the Delta variant, and mask hostility. Chicago recently announced that UNVACCINATED people coming from Missouri and Arkansas would have to provide proof of a negative Covid test or quarantine for 10 days before entering the city.

Florida’s new cases last week were 4 times the national average, and deaths were double the national average. Florida has the 4^th highest hospitalization rate in the country.

Surges are predicted for other states with low vaccination rates, such as Nevada and Texas.

Due to concern over California’s new case rate tripling statewide, Los Angeles County has reverted to a mask requirement for all indoor areas, regardless of vaccination status.

Remember when ventilators were THE coveted hospital tools for Covid? Now, it is ECMO–extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. With ECMO, a complicated machine does the work of a failing heart and lungs to pump and oxygenate the blood; when even a ventilator isn’t enough, ECMO is the last resort. But, ECMO is only available in 10% of US hospitals; even then, it is costly and requires one-on-one patient care for monitoring, so use is strictly rationed. Health care workers have to decide—who gets this scarce resource? The Rationing of a Last-Resort Covid Treatment 7/12/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/12/us/covid-treatment-ecmo.html

In Texas, the highly contagious Delta variant sparked an outbreak at a Houston-area youth church camp held in June, with over 150 cases.

As of July 16, new cases in the state were up 90% and hospitalizations were up 38%, from 2 weeks previously. The testing positivity rate in Texas is now 8%, after being as low as 3% in June.

In Travis County, hospitalizations are also rising, especially among young adults. Austin area COVID-19 hospitalizations have doubled among young adults since July 4 7/13/21 https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/coronavirus/2021/07/13/austin-area-covid-19-hospitalizations-have-doubled-among-young-adults-since-july-4/

Austin/Travis County reverted to Threat Level 3 last week, in response. 4 Delta variant cases confirmed; Austin reverts back to Stage 3 COVID guidelines as cases rise 7/15/21 https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/07/15/austin-reverts-back-stage-3-covid-guidelines-4-delta-cases-found/7976523002/

Vaccinations–the safe path to herd immunity

Worldwide, experts are investigating 2 new variants—Gamma and Lambda.

Greece is requiring proof of vaccination to enter cafes, restaurants, and bars. France accelerated vaccinations after announcing shots would soon be required for health care workers, as well as to enter restaurants or attend cultural events. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower just re-opened after being closed for 9 months due to Covid; proof of vaccination or a negative test is required to enter the landmark.

Africa is still only 1% fully vaccinated.

Israel is recommending a booster shot, but only for vaccinated people who are immune-compromised.

In the US, about 60% of all Americans are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 Just over 500K shots are given daily now.

The US military reports that 70% of personnel have gotten 1 shot, with 62% now fully vaccinated.

The pandemic has divided the country in a new way. Now, it is the UNvaccinated population getting sick, being hospitalized, and dying. Western and northeastern states are largely well-vaccinated, while southern and some midwestern states are poorly unvaccinated and at high risk. In 2021, vaccination is politicized just as viciously as masking was in 2020, with conservatives not just hesitating to get shots but frequently spreading false negative information and demonizing medical experts. Now, we have “two Americas” as Dr. Fauci dubbed it. The split follows political lines down to the county level; counties voting for Biden have high vaccination rates, while counties voting for Trump are poorly vaccinated. The result is a patchwork of infection surges, overwhelmed hospitals, and spiking death rates in GOP territory. This is SO ironic, since the vaccines were a BIPARTISAN effort; Trump facilitated creation of America’s vaccines, and Biden distributed them in record time.

The good news is that being FULLY VACCINATED protects against even the Delta variant. How does the Delta variant dodge the immune system? Scientists find clues. [ONE dose of vaccine stops Delta 10% of the time, but TWO doses stops Delta 95% of the time.] 7/8/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/08/health/delta-variant-covid-vaccine-immunity.html

Recent Covid articles I recommend….

—England’s Covid unlocking is threat to world, say 1,200 scientists 7/16/21 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/16/englands-covid-unlocking-a-threat-to-the-world-experts-say

—Delta Variant Widens Gulf Between ‘Two Americas’: Vaccinated and Unvaccinated 7/14/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/14/health/delta-variant-uk-usa.html

–‘We are seeing people passing quicker than before’: What hospitals look like in US Covid hot spots 7/14/21 https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/13/us/us-covid-hot-spots-hospitals/index.html

—Delta variant gains ground in US as outbreaks highlight vaccine divide 7/14/21 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/14/us-delta-variant-coronavirus-covid-vaccine-divide

—How does the Delta variant dodge the immune system? Scientists find clues. [ONE dose of vaccine stops Delta 10% of the time, but TWO doses stop Delta 95% of the time.] 7/8/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/08/health/delta-variant-covid-vaccine-immunity.html

–The Rise of Delta: NYT podcast tells you what you need to know about this dangerous variant, in 20 minutes of plain speaking 7/6/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/06/podcasts/the-daily/delta-variant-coronavirus-vaccine.html?rref=vanity

Daring Mighty Things

Virgin Galactic on July 11 successfully executed a publicity-heavy test flight for sending passengers to the edge of space and back, with its billionaire founder, Richard Branson, on board. From Spaceport America in New Mexico, mothership Eve carried Unity up to about 50,000 feet, then released it. A rocket then accelerated Unity, with 6 people aboard, to an altitude of 50 miles, where space is black and Earth’s curve is visible. After about 4 minutes of weightlessness, the ship was pulled back home by gravity. It then reconfigured its wings to become a glider, allowing it to land near its starting point after a mission lasting about 90 minutes.

Another private company will have its publicity-fest on July 20, with Blue Origin staging a more traditional rocket launch from West Texas, carrying 4 passengers. Its founder, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, will be on board along with his brother and 82-year-old female aviator Wally Funk; the 4^th seat went to the highest bidder at a charity auction. While the Virgin Galactic craft was flown by a pilot on board, Blue Origin is flown from the ground, with no crew along for the ride.

Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic flights do not go high enough or fast enough to enter orbit around Earth. Rather, these suborbital flights are more like elaborate roller coaster rides that allow passengers to float for a few minutes while admiring a view of Earth against the black backdrop of space. While only Blue Origin flights go high enough to break the 62-mile-high Karman line, passengers of both companies get astronaut pins. Here is an update on the wide variety of activity in space these days, from Martian rovers and moon missions to Tom Cruise filming a movie on the International Space Station. The space race is back on – but who will win? https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jul/16/the-space-race-is-back-on-but-who-will-win

Texas state elections

While frantically steering toward re-election in 2022, Gov. Greg Abbott had a rough couple weeks. So, THAT’s good news for Texas…. As threatened earlier, Gov. Abbott called a special legislative session, then issued a conservative dream-list of topics. Priority number 1 was passage of the bill restricting voting—the bill that Democrats killed by walking out early from the regular session and breaking quorum back in May. The 30-day special session began July 8. That weekend, legislators debated the voting bill in marathon, all-night sessions; every amendment from Democrats was rejected. Austin was swamped by citizens from across the state who waited as long as 24 hours to be allowed to speak against the bill. With the final vote set for the next day, on July 12 over 50 Democrats did the only thing they could to stop its passage. They bugged out, again breaking quorum. They all flew to Washington, DC, overnight and have since been meeting with members of Congress. The group of elected Texan refugees is a living, breathing cautionary tale proving the country’s dire need for federal voting rights protections. Abbott, exposed as an ineffectual buffoon just as he was flexing his re-election muscles, sputtered and spat, ordering their arrest; that is not technically possible until they decide to return to Texas, which isn’t likely to happen until the month-long session ends. (Texas law, in all its weirdness, does provide that recalcitrant legislators be arrested, taken to the State Capitol, and the entire legislative body LOCKED INSIDE the chamber until the vote is taken. The procedure is called “cabining,” and I really wonder what the Fire Marshall thinks about the locked doors part.) What it means to break quorum and what you need to know about the Texas House Democrats’ dramatic departure 7/14/21 https://www.texastribune.org/2021/07/14/texas-democrats-walkout-quorum/

In more bad news for Abbott, another Republican entered the 2022 governor’s race. In addition to “real Republican” Don Huffines, Allen West is crashing the GOP primary. ‘We don’t like bullies, egomaniacs or jerks’: Allen West crashes Texas governor’s race 7/9/21 https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/09/allen-west-texas-498897 Fairly new to Texas, West is a former Florida Congressman who just stepped down as Texas GOP Chairman. He has a controversial past, as well, dating back to his military days. U.S. officer fined for harsh interrogation tactics 12/13/03 https://www.cnn.com/2003/US/12/12/sprj.nirq.west.ruling/

In Lakeway

Mayor Kilgore revived the Facebook Live talks on July 8, promising to do this monthly. He covered several topics, then answered questions. The most contentious issue addressed was Chief Radford’s resignation. Mayor Kilgore described the circumstances of that and detailed the hiring process for a successor; the plan is to have a new chief on the job by Oct. 1. The city and the advisory committee handling this (Council members Vance and Smith, plus the mayor) want public input and to that end will release a survey soon, that residents can complete. Go to Lakeway’s Facebook page to watch the 18-minute recording. https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway

Also, the city formally advertised the police chief job vacancy last week. Applications are to be taken until Aug. 15. Go here to read the job listing for this and other open city positions. https://tx-lakeway.civicplushrms.com/careers/

Lakeway Council meets Monday, July 19.

This is a double-header. Both meetings are in person, at City Hall. Comments can be submitted to Council beforehand, but no one can call in to participate. Citizens Participation requires attendance.

The AFTERNOON meeting (starting 2pm) is a special session on the budget. The Agenda just says Work Session: Fiscal Year 2022 Budget. An Addendum was issued adding Lakeway Activity Center policies to the Agenda. There is no Meeting Packet, so no additional info on this meeting.

The EVENING session (starting 6:30pm) is the regular meeting. The Agenda has 30 items, most being fleshed out in the voluminous Meeting Packet. (For good or bad, most of these items are routine. There are only a few substantive items, which I noted with an asterisk*. The city needs to figure out better ways to handle the routine stuff and get it off Council’s plate.)

–The Consent Agenda has items appointing members of the following boards and committees: Ethics, City Building Commission, Zoning and Planning, and Economic Development. Another item closes down the Public Engagement Committee, since the City’s Communications Director has taken on its work. (Names and full details are in the Meeting Packet.)

–Item 16 is the Financial Report.

–*Item 17 is a rate increase request by Waste Management, per the terms of its trash and recycling collection contract with the city. Increased costs (landfill costs and wages) of $0.76 are offset by increased revenues (recycled materials’ worth) of $0.57, with the result being a requested rate increase of $0.19, to a new total of $17.80 (per month, per customer).

–*Item 18 is acceptance of a donation from The Lakeway Civic Corp. to pay for up to $40k in continued restoration of the Liebelt Cabin. Conditions on the gift are that the City undertake to fund annual maintenance work on the cabin AND pursue grant money to fund making the cabin and its surroundings compliant with the Texas Accessibility Act. NOTE: While the $40K donation is lovely, it is clear that this historic structure will continue to require taxpayer funds. If this is such a wonderful “historical and educational asset” to the city, I wonder HOW MANY PEOPLE visit it annually here in Lakeway? Also, how much taxpayer money has ALREADY been spent on this cabin since the city accepted it back in 2011? In December of 2020, a request was made for $125K to make emergency repairs in order to keep it standing; Council ended up approving only $14K, but larger expenditures down the road were not ruled out. Personally, I question whether large sums for something like this is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds. Seems to me that the cabin should be donated to someplace like the Bullock Museum, which has the experts and funds to restore and maintain it. Plus, the cabin could be toured and appreciated by the huge number of people who pass through that popular institution on a regular basis, as opposed to the few who stumble over it in Lakeway. Alternatively, is there any way to use the vast amount of money the city has accumulated in hotel tax funds (the requirement being that the project draws hotel-staying visitors to town), for cabin maintenance and improvements?

–Item 19 is a budget amendment for item 18.

–Item 20 is a request for a short-term rental permit for a condo at World of Tennis.

–Item 21 is a request for a special use permit allowing an ambulatory surgery center at 6 Lakeway Centre Court.

–Item 22 is a request for a special use permit allowing Guaranty Bank and Trust to operate with drive through lanes at 620 and Lakeway Blvd. (at the old location of Plains Capital Bank).

–Item 23 is a request for preliminary plan approval of MC Bee Creek Subdivision (17 single family lots on 34 acres) at Lakehurst Loop and Lakehurst Road, in the city’s ETJ.

–*Item 24 is a proposed development agreement for 314 Clubhouse Drive. (See Meeting Packet, starting at page 169.) This is round 2, for this controversial development. At Council’s June 21 meeting, action was tabled for a month, to allow the developer to meet with the city and neighboring owners to resolve some issues. This seems to have happened. June proposal: In the ETJ, at Longwood, the 6.3 acre tract would be annexed to the city with 17 single-family homes built. Zoning would be R-2, they want front facing garages with no turnaround, 15’ set-back, building materials specified, zoning fees waived. Now, the proposal is for annexation but for 16 single-family homes with R-1 zoning, access via Longwood, no driveway turnaround (but the request for front-facing garages is gone), building materials specified, zoning fees waived. The bottom line remains that, since the tract is not currently within Lakeway’s jurisdiction, the owner is free to develop it per Travis County’s far more lenient rules unless agreement is reached.

–*Item 25 is a change to the building ordinance to address how the city handles the increasingly common development agreement. Changes include requiring written notice to surrounding landowners within 200 feet (as is already done for zoning changes), having at least 2 Council hearings prior to voting on the agreement, and encouragement for developers to meet with neighboring owners BEFORE the matter gets to Council.

–*Item 26 is discussion of various code provisions:

–a) short term rentals (theoretical 1,000 foot distribution—see Meeting Packet page 209)

–b) golf carts (comparison of regulations—state and nearby cities; snipped from Meeting Packet page 210 and shown below; cart path illustration–see Meeting Packet page 211)

–c) camping (HB 1025—see Meeting Packet starting with page 212)

–d) BDS regs

–*Item 27 is first reading of the BDS Design Manual (see Meeting Packet starting with page 221).

–*Item 28 repeals a 2008 city ordinance and extends Lakeway’s ETJ to include the area south of Hwy. 71, as allowed by state law (see illustration on Meeting Packet page 301).

–Item 29 amends building ordinances to align the hours allowed for construction, as listed in various locations of the code already, and to allow exceptions for early concrete pours.

–Item 30—ADJOURN!

Go here for both Agendas and the Meeting Packet (for the evening meeting)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

To send comments to Council beforehand (by 10am Monday for the afternoon meeting, and by 3pm Monday for the evening meeting) about any agenda item, go here and create a Public Comment Form–https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

Go here to watch these Council meetings online (live or after the fact)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Back to me….

My favorite home chore is touch-up painting. So, I happily hauled out all my paint tins and supplies and went through the house, fixing a year’s worth of boo-boos–so easy and so satisfying.

Spent half a day last week at Best Buy, while the Geek Squad worked its magic with my new laptop. Love those guys…

With the Delta variant raging and Texas case numbers rising, I am back to wearing a mask indoors. It is infuriating because this surge is totally unnecessary, since we are blessed with safe and effective vaccines—exactly what we prayed for last summer as we suffered through that hellish surge.

Here are a couple good books I just finished:

Last Best Hope: America in Crisis and Renewal, by George Packer (2021). Well-written and concise (just 227 pages–refreshing in this era of wrist-wrenching tomes), the author is pitch-perfect on many points. I followed his analysis of the 4 fractured segments of America today–Free, Real, Smart and Just—each doomed by rabid extremism. But, I’m not nearly as sanguine as he is that all will, somehow, be well in the end.

Fallen, by Linda Shapiro (2021). This is the 13^th book in the excellent series, but it works as a stand-alone. As usual, Sheriff Burkholder solves intriguing crime in Ohio’s Amish country, which provides a distinctive flavor, and the writing is unusually good for the genre.

Both books are available at Lake Travis Community Library.

The deer are much in evidence now. Fawns are old enough to be very mobile and are running round town with their moms, who have joined together into small groups. We have at least 3 fawns (a single and twins) spending time in St. Andrews; the twins and their mom tend to show up in my yard evenings to slurp from my birdbath and sometimes spend the night. Please, please, please drive carefully. If you spot 1 deer near the road, there will be several others around, as well. Sadly, dozens of our fawns are hit by cars every spring/summer. Lakeway artist Victoria Waite created adorable yard signs, and if you don’t have one, please consider it. They are eye-catching, and the reminders help. To buy one ($20 each), go here—https://www.facebook.com/FawnsAtPlay