In Lakeway
Christmas tree recycling
Through Jan. 7, Lakeway residents can take trees to Public Works (3303 Serene Hills Drive). Gates are open 7am-3:30pm Monday through Friday. (If outside open hours, place the tree near the front gate but not blocking the entrance.)
Through Jan. 21, Lakeway residents can place trees on the curb, but they must be cut into 3-foot sections, for Waste Connection trash pick-up.
Either way, please remove lights and decorations beforehand.
Winter Weather Preparedness Supply Give-Away
The Young Men’s Service League Cavalier’s Chapter at LTHS and Lakeway’s Office of Emergency Management are hosting a Winter Weather Preparedness supply give-away event on Saturday, Jan. 8, 10am-3pm, at the Lakeway Justice Complex parking lot (104 Cross Creek). Residents can pick up basic supplies including firewood bundles, blankets, hand wipes, water, first aid kits, space heaters, batteries, ER supply checklists, and more. Quantities are limited, and distribution is first-come, first-served.
Special thanks to Council Member Laurie Higginbotham for organizing this timely event.
City of Lakeway site and contact info
The city website is really a treasure trove of info. Spend some time poking around so you know where things are located. https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/
Be sure to keep an eye on the calendar: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/Calendar.aspx
News items are here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx
Here is a good list of local resources: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/956/Resident-Resources
This page answers a lot of questions: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/577/How-Do-I
Agendas, meeting packets and minutes for Council and committee meetings are here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
The City Charter and all our ordinances are here and searchable by topic: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/108/City-Charter-Code-of-Ordinances
If all else fails and you still need help, email info@lakeway-tx.gov or call 512-314-7500.
Lakeway Council meets Monday, Jan. 3, 6:30pm at City Hall
If this looks familiar, that’s because this Agenda was sent out for the Dec. 20 meeting that was cancelled. On Dec. 28, an addendum was published, adding an item to appoint the Board of Ethics Chair. Consequential Agenda items include:
ITEM 6: The Consent Agenda includes a schedule for Council meetings in 2022. It ONLY shows meetings on the 3rd Monday, eliminating additional scheduled meetings on the first Monday of each month as have recently been held.
ITEM 9: Also in the Consent Agenda, ZAPCO meetings will be moved from the second Monday of the month to the first Wednesday of the month. The reason is to better coordinate handling of issues first by ZAPCO and then by Council.
ITEM 11: Citizens Participation for items not on the agenda.
ITEM 14: Waste Connections has requested a 2-year extension of its solid waste collection, recycling and disposal services contract, at the current rate, plus discussion of composting programs.
ITEM 16: Lake Travis Film Festival requests $43,000 in Hotel Occupancy Tax Funding.
ITEM 17: Sweetwater Development Agreement. In July, Council repealed a 2008 ordinance and thereby captured within the city’s ETJ property on Hwy. 71 not already claimed by City of Bee Cave. This includes the ongoing Sweetwater residential development. This agreement states Sweetwater can continue construction under Travis County rules and oversight, and Lakeway will not impose its building code.
ITEM 18: Approval of final plat for Hillsong Planned Unit Development, 126 detached single family homes on 22.859 acres and a commercial component with park amenities on 3.09 acres of land, located at the intersection of Flint Rock Road and Wild Cherry Drive.
ITEM 20: Revising the ordinances as to permitting of non-residential fireworks displays. This would bring the code up to date, require 10 days notice to the city, only allow aerial displays, limit displays to 10pm or earlier (except for 4th of July and New Years celebrations), and set a $500 fine for violations.
ITEM 21: Revising the PUD ordinance to require an approved preliminary plan within 12 months or the PUD zoning reverts to the original zoning, and to allow a PUD for less than 8 acres if ZAPCO recommends this and Council approves it.
ITEM 22: Revising the code to make medical offices a permitted use by right in a commercial zoned space (C-1 or C-2).
ITEM 23: Revising the code to make R-5 zoning (condominium) an active designation.
ITEM 24: Revising the code to designate R-8 zoning (multifamily residential, 12 units per acre maximum) as medium density, and to create R-9 zoning as high density multifamily residential (20 units per acre maximum).
ITEM 25: Discussion of communications strategy and social media use policy.
ITEMS 26-28: Executive sessions on “Legal Issues Relating to Former City Attorney,” police department, and economic development.
Go here for the Agenda, Meeting Packet and Presentation— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
To send comments to Council beforehand (by 3pm Monday) about any agenda item, go here and create a Public Comment Form– https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx
Go here to watch the Council meeting online (live or later)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events
Texas elections
Crickets…. The filing deadline to run for state office passed on Dec. 13, and things pretty much went into hibernation for the holidays. That won’t last.
These executive offices are up for election in 2022: Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, State Board of Education (7 seats), Agriculture Commissioner, Public Lands Commissioner, Railroad Commissioner.
Plus, ALL Texas state legislative positions and ALL national Congress seats are up for election this year.
The PRIMARY election is on March 1, with the general election on Nov. 8. Unless, the controversial redistricting that Texas Republicans forced through last fall is struck down in the courts; that would re-open candidate filing periods and delay elections. Good info here–Statewide elections, a redder South Texas and Beto-mania: the biggest Texas political stories to watch for in 2022 12/30/21 https://www.texastribune.org/2021/12/30/texas-politics-2022-biggest-stories-elections/
Plus, here in Lakeway, 3 Council seats are up for election on May 7. Councilmembers Laurie Higginbotham, Steve Smith and Louis Mastrangelo are all eligible to run for a 3rd term, if they so desire. Should be interesting….
Daring Mighty Things
A new interstellar telescope was launched on Christmas Day, and astronomers say it is powerful enough to peer back through time to the earliest stars, as well as search for life where even the famed Hubble telescope cannot penetrate. The joint US/Canada/Europe endeavor was plagued by decades of delays and massive budget over-runs, as well as by scandal attached to its namesake, James Webb, a NASA administrator in the 1960s. The infrared telescope launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on an Ariane rocket. It will be a month before the telescope establishes Earth orbit a million miles out, and then the apparatus will go through a complex set-up. Images are expected to be transmitted in summer of 2022. Nasa launches $10bn James Webb space telescope 12/25/21 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/25/nasa-launches-james-webb-space-telescope
Back to me….
Still time to get in on a whole month of FREE daily ONLINE YOGA, to do AT HOME and on your own schedule, with Austin’s Adriene Mishler and her very Zen doggie, Benji. Sign up now for January’s MOVE program. I have done this with her several years now, and it is a fabulous way to start the year. https://do.yogawithadriene.com/move
So, I’m THAT close to being done painting my garage…. Before and after photos next time.
Books—1 good and 1 bad (both available at Lake Travis Community Library):
The Last Flight (2020), by Julie Clark—The premise (2 strangers swap airline tickets and identities) isn’t new, but the writing is excellent and the plot lines intriguing. I had trouble putting it down and found the book thoroughly enjoyable start to finish.
Our Country Friends (2021), by Gary Shteyngart—UGH, no thanks. I only slogged to page 30 before finding better use of my attention. Despite all the plaudits this book has received, I found the writing, characters, and storyline all sorely lacking.
Here are some recent photos of our gorgeous deer, taken on my morning walks. Rut season seem to be done, and everyone is settling down for winter.
Remember Biscuit, AKA Xiao, the panda cub born at The Washington Zoo during the pandemic? He turned 1 year old last September. Here are a couple video updates on Xiao and his mom:
—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-dz_-k9czI
—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alq3jTmHrFU
If you somehow missed the Olive and Mabel doggie phenomenon, along with their deliciously-accented owner Andrew Cotter, check out this video (and know there are MANY others in the series, chronicling in a unique way the last couple years).
The Coronavirus
Worldwide, the Omicron explosion continues. In late December, new daily cases exceeded 1 million for the first time ever; by Dec. 29, the total grew to over 1.5 million new daily cases, edging toward 2 million. Projections call for over 3 BILLION new cases globally in the next 2 months—as many cases as in the entire previous 2 years of the pandemic.
Omicron is burning through Africa, with countries reporting positivity rates up to 50%. However, South Africa, where Omicron was first identified, reported on Dec. 30 that its Omicron surge has peaked and is on the wane.
Omicron is responsible for over 90% of new cases in the UK. Hospitalizations are at their highest since Jan. of 2021, with medical staff numbers now significantly reduced due to illness. For political reasons, the government is resisting returning to restrictions; some seem inevitable very soon, including requiring working from home.
European countries (including France, the UK, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Italy, and Portugal) are routinely reporting new daily case rates higher than ever seen during the pandemic. In response, most European countries have instituted restrictions, ranging from mask mandates and work-from-home requirements to full shutdown. For instance, officials in the Netherlands announced immediate lockdown on Dec. 18, closing all public places until at least Jan. 14, with the only exception being essential shops; schools are closed, as well, and gatherings beyond one’s household limited to 2 people, indoors or outside.
Cities all over India are enacting lockdowns, trying to stem rampant Omicron infections.
Israel banned its citizens from traveling to the US or the UK. The UAE isn’t allowing citizens to leave the country unless they are fully vaccinated and boosted.
New Year’s celebrations were cancelled all over the world, including in Rome, Paris and Tokyo.
China will forbid spectators at February’s Winter Olympics from cheering or yelling during performances. Instead, people should clap, in order to minimize contagion. No overseas spectators will be allowed. All participants (athletes, coaches, judges, journalists, etc.) must be vaccinated, and everyone will be tested daily; no one can leave the “closed loop” of venue, hotels, and special transportation.
Russia’s pandemic death toll (over 650,000 people) has exceeded that of Brazil (around 620,000 people), putting Russia in second place behind the US (over 825,000 people).
In the US, in the last 2 weeks, cases have increased 200%, hospitalizations are up 25%, and deaths decreased 4%. We are averaging 378,000 new cases per day. 86,000 Americans are currently hospitalized with Covid, and the death rate averages 1,200 people per day.
As of Dec. 28, the CDC estimated Omicron was responsible for 60% of Covid infection in the US. This is a sharp jump from just 1% as of mid-December. Experts say Omicron cases are doubling every 1.5 to 3 days, depending on the region. Data from other countries, and recent studies in the US indicate that Omicron infections may be milder than Delta infections. One reason seems to be that Omicron concentrates in the nose, mouth and throat, so it is less likely than Delta and other variants to invade and severely damage the lungs. (The upper respiratory concentration also explains Omicron’s easy transmissibility, since infection is simply breathed out into the air without deep-lung coughing.) Various other factors (young populations, high vaccination rates in some areas, etc.) may also be responsible for ameliorating the disease. There is an indication that survivors of Omicron may be immune, at least temporarily, to the deadlier Delta variant. Regardless, experts found that Omicron’s sky-high infection rate makes it more dangerous overall than any other variant; vulnerable people will be among the infected, overwhelming hospitals and spiking death rates. As a practical matter, symptoms of Omicron are much the same as from Delta (but less likely to include loss of smell and taste); however, people start feeling ill quicker with Omicron—likely within 2-3 days of infection, as opposed to up to a week later with Delta.
New cases spiked from Dec. 1 to Dec. 22, exceeding the Delta peak. On Dec. 29, the US recorded a record number of new cases–over 267,000. This was higher than our previous record during the pandemic, 251,000 back in January of 2021 (before vaccines were widely available). On Dec. 30, the total was 488,000 new cases.
Experts predict Omicron will fuel 1 million new cases per day in the US later in January.
Keep in mind that the new case numbers reflect PCR test results processed in labs and largely do NOT include the tests people buy and administer themselves. (There is a way to report home test results to your local health authority, but almost no one does this.) So, ACTUAL new cases are surely much higher than the PCR numbers indicate.
Complicating care of Omicron patients is the fact that 2 of the 3 approved monoclonal antibody therapies have proven ineffective against the new variant. Products created by Eli Lilly and Regeneron have failed. The 3rd therapy is called sotrovimab; created by GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnolog, it was approved for use last May and the supply is still very limited. The Biden administration is working to get production and distribution of this therapy accelerated.
On Dec. 27, the CDC shortened quarantine time from 10 days to 5 days after testing positive, but ONLY if symptoms are gone within the 5 days. After quarantine, the person should wear a mask around others for another 5 days. The reason for the shortened quarantine is that spreading the disease to others seems to be most likely while symptomatic and very early in the infection cycle.
The Washington, DC, mayor reinstituted a mask mandate indoors. On Dec. 22, the city recorded a daily new case number that was TRIPLE its previous high. By the end of December, daily case rates were 6 times that of 2 weeks prior. Many prominent politicians reported breakthrough infections, including Congress members Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Jason Crow, and Jim Clyburn. Staffers of both Pres. Biden and V-P Harris have been infected.
Since mid-December, NYC has recorded record-breaking daily new case totals—each day more people are getting Covid than ever during the pandemic. By the end of December, daily case rates were 8 times that of 2 weeks prior. Some subway lines are closed due to workers being out sick with Covid. Paramedic and ambulance services are hampered by severe shortage of healthy workers. Holiday leave for police has been cancelled, as precincts try to cover for sick officers. Museums and libraries are closing, along with many restaurants and businesses, due to widespread staff illness. Broadway shows are either operating with numerous understudies filling in for sick cast members, or closing entirely. Hospitals have cancelled elective procedures. The New Year’s celebration in Times Square was scaled back; participants were limited to 15,000 (instead of 58,000), all of whom had to show proof of full vaccination and wear masks. Instead of a separate ceremony, newly elected mayor Eric Adams was sworn in right there in Times Square just after the Ball Drop, as 2022 arrived.
Boston and Chicago are requiring proof of vaccination to enter indoor public spaces.
Massachusetts is supplementing hospital workers with National Guard troops.
A Royal Caribbean cruise ship returned to port in Miami on Dec. 18, with 50 people on board testing positive for Covid. Several other ships did the same over the holidays. The CDC on Dec. 30 raised the Covid threat level for cruises to 4 (the highest), stating what should be obvious: “Avoid cruise travel regardless of vaccination status.”
The National Hockey League on Dec. 20 paused games, due to so many Covid infections among players that teams could not compete. The NHL also reversed a previous decision to send top players to the Olympics in February, due to Omicron. After over 90 players tested positive, the NFL adopted the CDC’s 5-day quarantine plan.
The airline industry was set to return to pre-pandemic volume over the holidays, with Americans intent on returning to normal. But, Omicron sickened large numbers of pilots and crew members, causing over 5,000 flights in the US to be cancelled Dec. 22-28, delaying or completely grounding holiday travelers. Since then, cancellation of 1,000 or more flights per day has become routine.
Across the country, colleges and universities are delaying the start of classes in 2022 or returning to online learning.
On Dec. 25, states as disparate as Delaware, New Jersey and Florida recorded their highest new daily case rates of the entire pandemic. Since then, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Puerto Rico, Colorado, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC reported record numbers of cases. This points out a big difference with this surge. Previously, Covid surges hit America regionally, maybe starting in the south and moving to the west before hitting the northeast, allowing resources (extra medical workers, ventilators, medications, etc.) to be sent where needed. But, Omicron is hitting the entire country at once, top to bottom and end to end, making it much harder for hospitals to cope.
A nation-wide increase in Covid cases and even hospitalizations among kids has prompted school officials to delay re-openings after the holidays, many returning temporarily to remote learning. Most experts disapprove, instead urging vaccination and utilizing the precautions learned over the last year to keep schools safe. In addition, the uptick in pediatric cases seems due to so many kids (even those age-eligible) still being unvaccinated, with Omicron so far not proven to target kids or cause worse cases in children.
In rare good news, the FDA authorized use of Pfizer’s new treatment for high-risk patients with a recently confirmed Covid case. The 5-day course of pills can be taken at home, and the treatment reportedly prevents serious disease in the majority of cases IF started within 5 days of starting symptoms. However, supplies will be limited until production is stepped up, and potency against Omicron is unproven.
In Texas, the current positivity test rate is 26% (calculated Dec. 30), up from 11% as of 2 weeks ago. We are averaging 15,000 new cases and 53 deaths daily. As of now, there are 5,500 Texans hospitalized for Covid-19. In the last 2 weeks, cases have increased 214%, hospitalizations rose 50%, and deaths are down 15%.
As of Dec. 27, officials announced that 90% of Texas’ Covid cases were Omicron.
The first American death attributed to Omicron occurred in Harris County, on Dec. 20.
Texas A&M withdrew from the Gator Bowl, due to a surge in Covid cases.
Texas had 35% MORE Covid deaths in 2021 than in 2020, despite the availability of free and safe vaccines for anyone with the sense God gave a goose.
Health authorities announced Dec. 27 that infusion centers in Texas have run out of the only monoclonal antibody treatment that works against Omicron. The federal government is ramping up production of GlaxoSmithKline’s new product, sotrovimab, but additional shipments are not yet scheduled.
Currently, hospitals in El Paso and the Panhandle are overwhelmed with Covid patients, as well as dealing with a large number of breakthrough cases among medical staff.
On Dec. 29, Austin Public Health shifted to stricter Stage 4 pandemic recommendations. Fully vaccinated people are to wear masks when gathering with people outside of their household, traveling, dining, and shopping. Unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated people should wear masks, avoid gatherings with people outside of their household, only travel and shop if essential, and choose takeaway options for dining; also–GET VACCINATED.
ACL Live canceled its New Year’s Eve show.
Vaccinations–the safe path to herd immunity
Worldwide, 8.8 billion shots have been given, with nearly 48% of the planet’s population fully vaccinated.
The world’s vaccines are having different results fighting Omicron. All seem to protect against severe illness and death—the primary goal. But, so far, only Phizer and Moderna are stopping infections in most cases (with breakthrough cases rare and mild). Globally, Phizer and Moderna are not available. Other countries are using AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and several vaccines made in Asia and Russia; they are doing little or nothing to stop infection from Omicron.
The Philippines is recommending people get booster shots THREE months after their original vaccination was complete. Israel recommends a 4th shot soon, basically a second booster, to immune-compromised people (and may broaden that recommendation soon).
Saudi Arabia already requires proof of vaccination to enter public places, using a government phone app. Proof of a booster shot will be required as of Feb. 1.
In the US, 62% of the entire population is fully vaccinated; 71% of adults are fully vaccinated. Average shots per day dipped to just over 1 million during the holidays. About 68 million booster shots have been given.
As of Dec. 26, only 20% of children 5 to 11 years old have gotten vaccinated. And only 30% of fully vaccinated Americans have gotten a booster. Low vax rates are heavily concentrated in rural areas and the South, with Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas and Alabama circling the drain at 50%.
OSHA’s vaccine mandate for large employers was upheld in federal appeals court, with the US Supreme Court hearing arguments on Jan. 7. At 9am Central on Jan. 7, go here to listen to the Justices question the attorneys and debate the issue: https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx Due to delays and confusion the lawsuits caused, the deadline for compliance has been extended until Feb. 9.
The US Marines gave general honorable discharges to 206 members who refused vaccination. 95% of active-duty Marines are vaccinated. The other military branches have the same or higher vaccination rates, with similarly minuscule numbers being discharged for non-compliance.
Nationwide, colleges and universities are requiring students and staff get booster shots, in order to participate in person.
NYC set up a program to pay people $100 to get a booster during the final week of 2021.
California is requiring health care workers to get booster shots.
GET BOOSTED: Studies show that getting your booster shot cuts your chance of getting a Covid infection in half.
In Texas, only 57% of all residents and 68% of adults are fully vaccinated.
Recent Covid articles I recommend….
Studies Suggest Why Omicron Is Less Severe: It Spares the Lungs 12/31/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/31/health/covid-omicron-lung-cells.html
Covid vaccines rarely lead to problems in younger children, according to two C.D.C. reports 12/30/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/30/science/covid-vaccine-5-11-years-old-cdc-report.html
On cusp of new year, omicron prompts Austin to adopt stricter Stage 4 pandemic guidelines 12/29/21 https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/12/29/omicron-prompts-austin-adopt-stricter-stage-4-covid-guidelines/9038281002/
The C.D.C. shortened isolation periods as Omicron cases soared 12/27/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/27/us/quarantine-5-days.html
US hospitals struggle with staffing shortages and Omicron outbreaks 12/23/21 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/23/us-hospitals-staffing-shortages-omicron-covid
F.D.A. Clears Pfizer’s Covid Pill for High-Risk Patients 12 and Older 12/22/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/22/health/pfizer-covid-pill-fda-paxlovid.html
Omicron Infections Seem to Be Milder, Three Research Teams Report 12/22/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/22/health/covid-omicron-delta-hospitalizations.html
I’m a Parent. How Can I Protect My Family From Omicron? 12/22/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/22/opinion/omicron-children.html
Hospitals Scramble as Antibody Treatments Fail Against Omicron 12/21/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/21/health/covid-monoclonal-antibodies-omicron.html