The Coronavirus
Worldwide, countries are in completely different phases, as far as Covid-19.
South Africa is easing restrictions as cases decline. Australia plans to lift its tight international travel restrictions by year-end. At the UN General Assembly last week, Brazil’s health minister tested positive for the coronavirus. South Korea’s new cases are at record levels, after a long holiday weekend featuring travel and gatherings. Russia is experiencing higher daily death rates than ever before in the pandemic, blaming vaccine hesitancy.
In the US, 1 in 8 Americans has been infected with Covid.
The surge is slowly weakening. In the last 2 weeks, US cases have decreased 16%, and hospitalizations are down 14%, but deaths are up 26%. We are averaging over 123,000 new cases per day. More than 87,000 Americans are currently hospitalized with Covid, and the death rate averages over 2,000 people per day.
The US recently passed several grim milestones as far as deaths from Covid.
–One in 500 Americans has died from coronavirus.
–More Americans have died from Covid-19 so far than died of the 1918/19 influenza epidemic.
–An exhibit of 650,000 white flags, representing Americans who have died of COVID-19, opened Sept. 17 in Washington, DC. Covering more than 20 acres of the National Mall, the flags have messages painted on them memorializing lost loved ones.
The surge states in the south are seeing fewer cases, but cases are rising in the northeast, mountain west, and the upper midwest. Hospitalizations are still high, with 25% of ICUs full nationwide. Idaho’s hospital crisis now extends across the entire state, with ALL hospitals now rationing care to those most likely to survive. In addition, Idaho’s woes have spilled over to neighboring Washington state; Covid patients are crossing the border, forcing Washington’s hospitals to delay non-critical care for its own residents. Alaska became the second state to institute rationed care (helping only those patients most likely to survive), due to a crushing tide of unvaccinated patients.
On Sept. 20, an NYT newsletter aptly summed up America’s current Covid situation as: “slowly getting less terrible.” Deaths are still rising, but new cases are dropping slightly, as are hospitalizations is some areas (though many facilities remain overwhelmed with severe cases). Experts say the improvement MIGHT be due to Delta’s pattern in other countries of booming for a couple months and then subsiding (for reasons not really understood). On the other hand, kids going back to school in-person, and a return to large-scale travel, sports and entertainment this fall could well cause another surge. The kicker is the looming return of cold weather, sending everyone inside where Covid spreads most easily. No one wants to predict where Covid is going. So, GET VACCINATED.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now requires masks be worn by all visitors and workers in the temples.
In Texas, we are averaging 12,000 new cases and 300 deaths daily. As of now, there are 12,000 Texans hospitalized for Covid-19. The current positivity test rate is 13%. In the last 2 weeks, cases have decreased 33%, hospitalizations dropped 15%, and deaths are up 19%.
Vaccinations–the safe path to herd immunity
Worldwide, 6.1 billion shots have been given, with 33% of the population fully vaccinated.
Cuba developed vaccines of its own and is giving shots to kids as young as 2 years. The UAE and China are vaccinating kids age 3 and up. Cambodia is vaccinating kids as young as age 6. Ireland has vaccinated 90% of adults, the highest rate in Europe. China has vaccinated 71% of its population—1 billion people. Denmark (76% vaccinated) lifted the last of its Covid restrictions (which had included travel restrictions and vaccine passports to enter crowded venues), citing the success of its vaccination program. Italy is extending its “health pass” requirement to all workers, roughly 23 million people; vaccination or a recent test will be required as of mid-October. Pope Francis has urged everyone to get vaccinated for the common good and because “humanity has a history of friendship with vaccines.”
In the US, 55% of the entire population is fully vaccinated. On average, we are now giving around 750,000 shots per day.
Pfizer booster shots were recently approved for people vaccinated 6 months previously and in 4 groups: 1) 65 and older; 2) living in institutional settings like nursing homes; 3) with underlying medical conditions putting them at risk for severe Covid; and 4) frontline workers with occupational exposure including health care workers, first responders and educators. This rather complicated result blends conflicting recommendations from the FDA and the CDC, covering a large swath of Americans but not the entire population. (This is ONLY for Pfizer; Moderna and J&J submitted booster shot requests and supporting data later, but similar rulings are expected soon.)
US has the lowest vaccination rate in the Group of 7 wealthy democracies (lower than Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan). We had long been near the bottom, but Japan’s recent vax surge overtook America, dumping us in last place.
In the US, the younger age groups have the lowest vaccination rate, while the oldest have the highest rate. The difference is vast—from roughly 40% to 80%.
Pfizer announced that shots should be approved for kids age 5-11 later this fall.
West Virginia had early vaccination success, but that waned and now the state has one of the lowest vaccination rates. New cases and hospitalizations are now at record high levels.
As of Oct. 1, vaccination is mandatory for new immigrants to the US. Seattle is requiring vaccination or recent testing for indoor activities. Whirlpool is offering employees $1,000 to be vaccinated
The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee is requiring all athletes (as well as all staff and others using its facilities) to be fully vaccinated in order to participate in the Winter Games, to be held in Beijing in February of 2022. The rule will be applied to all future Games, as well.
In Texas, only 51% of all residents are fully vaccinated.
Recent Covid articles I recommend….
–C.D.C. Chief Overrules Agency Panel and Recommends Pfizer-BioNTech Boosters for Health Care Workers, Teachers and Other Workers at Risk 9/24/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/24/world/covid-boosters-vaccine-cdc-director.html
–US children aged 5 to 11 on track to receive Pfizer vaccine by Halloween 9/20/21 https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/sep/20/pfizer-covid-vaccine-children-5-to-11-trial
–CDC study finds Moderna vaccine is best at preventing Covid-19 hospitalization 9/17/21 https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/17/cdc-study-finds-moderna-vaccine-is-best-at-preventing-covid-19-hospitalization-51256
–The J.&J. Conundrum (Everything you need to know if you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) 9/13/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/13/briefing/johnson-and-johnson-boosters-explainer.html
Daring Mighty Things
On Sept. 15, SpaceX launched the first all-tourist crew into orbit. A billionaire covered the trip’s $220 million tab. The 4 non-professional astronauts spent 3 days in high orbit, up to 360 miles above Earth’s surface; that is 150 miles higher than the orbit of the International Space Station, and dwarfs last summer’s 60 mile high slingshot flights. The craft was flown autonomously, with no pilot on board; the passengers had no flight duties. So, this amounts to a giant leap for space tourism. In addition, the project raised over $200 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. On Sept. 18, the craft splashed down off the Florida coast.
Texas state elections
Now, THIS could get interesting…. Expect a formal announcement soon. Beto O’Rourke Draws Closer to Entering Texas Governor’s Race 9/19/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/19/us/texas-beto-governors-race.html
Poor Ken Paxton; even his pals stab him in the back. House Freedom Caucus member Matt Krause challenges Ken Paxton for Texas attorney general 9/16/21 https://www.texastribune.org/2021/09/15/matt-krause-texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton/
This is a good overview of the 2022 GOP primary, centering on calls for Paxton (who re-defines “embattled” thanks to his many personal legal woes) to resign. As one challenger says, Paxton has shot himself in the foot repeatedly yet still wants to lead everybody out onto the battlefield. Attorney General Ken Paxton’s three Republican challengers criticize his legal problems — and pitch themselves as the best GOP nominee 9/23/21 https://www.texastribune.org/2021/09/23/ken-paxton-attorney-general-republican-primary-2022/
In Lakeway
Mayor Kilgore gave an update of several city issues (search for new police chief, the dangers of feeding the deer, proposed mega-development of Main Street area AGAIN, 2022 budget and tax rate, and Constitution Week) via Facebook on Sept. 16. https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway/videos/377146457206173
Lakeway Council met in Special Joint Session with Zoning and Planning on Monday, Sept. 13, 6:30pm, in-person, at City Hall.
Consequential Agenda items include:
–Item 3—Moment of silence honoring Bill Snider, recently deceased, who was a senior building inspector for the city.
–Item 5-8–Consent Agenda, which includes: additions/change to city staff paid holidays; and appointments to Capitol Area Council of Government, Arts Committee and Heritage Committee. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND IN FULL
–Item 9—Fiscal Year 2022 Budget. Procedural and tax rate details are here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/501/Budgets-and-Tax-Rate Fiscal details are here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/36844/FY22-DRAFT-PROPOSED-BUDGET
This was a PROCEDURAL REVIEW of the tax rate and budget adopted previously. City Manager Oakley stated the only substantive change since last month’s meeting was an additional expense of $18,000 to replace the security camera system at City Hall. The tax rate and 2022 budget will be finalized at the Sept. 20 Council meeting.
–Item 10—Joint Work Session for ZAPCO and Council on THE SQUARE AT LOHMANS. In 2019, Legend Communities was given approval for commercial and single-family residential development of 57 acres. The tract includes 1 of 2 missing segments of road needed to connect Main Street to Lohmans. Legend never moved forward with the 2019 plan and now wants to change to a PUD based around “commercial, mixed-use, and single-family residential uses for these properties, focused around a town square and main-street concept.” This looks a lot like the extremely dense City Center plan that residents largely hated and Council rejected in 2019, instead adopting what was touted as a compromise plan. And, it sounds like Legend is now holding Main Street hostage, to get approval for even more favorable terms. How many bites of the apple does Legend get? Here we go again…. Here are 2 images from the Presentation (and why isn’t the approved 2019 proposal shown in the comparison list?)
At the meeting, Legend made a lengthy PRESENTATION on yet another proposal for this Main Street development, with questions from ZAPCO and Council members, ending with discussion of the pros and cons. The developer will make some changes based on the meeting and then this will be reviewed by ZAPCO, then Council.
Legend is holding a Town Hall on this, Sept. 28 at 6pm, at the Rough Hollow Welcome Center.
Go here for the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and Presentation— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx Go here to watch the video– https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/139436
Lakeway Council had a regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 20.
Consequential Agenda items include:
Item 12—Adopting FY 2022 Budget (as discussed at previous meetings, with voluminous details in the Meeting Packet) UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY RECORD VOTE
Item 13—Approval of 2021 property tax rate of 0.1545 UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY RECORD VOTE [This is per $100 of valuation. A full penny less than the previous year’s rate, it is the lowest tax rate in the city’s history.]
Item 14—Final Plat for an HEB to be built on 21 acres at Hwy. 71 and Serene Hills Drive UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
Item 17—Preliminary Plan for Hillsong, a development on 25 acres at Flint Rock Road and Wild Cherry Drive, to include 126 detached single-family homes plus a commercial and park component. NOTE: ZAPCO’s recent approval was conditioned on issues with the right-in, right-out design at Flint Rock Road being resolved by Council. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED with specification that a raised barrier be used to prevent left turns in and out except for emergency vehicles
Item 21—Interlocal Agreement for Victim Services, allowing Lakeway and Bee Cave to share the services of a victim services coordinator and associated volunteers UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
Item 22—Report on Community Services Coordination by Mayor Kilgore. Consensus was reached that the city would take steps to organize a directory of available support services in the area, to be used by first responders assisting residents as well as published on the city’s site.
Go here to watch the meeting— https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/139805
Back to me….
Talk about perspective! Recently, Jupiter exhibited a burst of light that experts think was from impact of debris, likely the size of a bus, that broke off a passing comet or meteor and crashed into the planet. That kind of thing can really ruin one’s day….
Our deer are gearing up for fall. Their coats are roughing up, most of the fawns are tall and nearly spotless, and the smaller groups of summer are joining up into larger ones. Looks like rut season started early this year; maybe Mother Nature is as screwed up as the rest of us. Bucks are sparring already, and they are busy scraping the velvet off their antlers. DRIVE CAREFULLY. During rut, the deer have other things on their minds than you….
Here are some photos I took of our magnificent bucks the past few months. They are in chronological order, July to now. In the bottom one (taken last week), the buck industriously scraped his antlers raw on vegetation as I watched, cheerfully exposing the blood vessels that had nourished the velvet for months.
