May Ukraine Have Peaceful Skies Again
What is going on in Lakeway?
Debris Collection after Winter Storm Mara
The above map shows a lot of progress, with cleared streets traced in pink.
The city’s updated map page, where you can search by street and zoom in, is here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2053/30408/Brush-Tree-Limb-Curbside-Pick-Up-Map
Per the March 8 update from City of Lakeway, crews have faced several issues delaying pick-up, including mechanical break-downs. Also, they are having problems collecting debris under low hanging trees or other obstructions. Where possible, homeowners are asked to move debris piles from under low-hanging limbs. At this time, the city expects debris collection to be completed by the end of March.
Public Works remains CLOSED until curbside pick-up is complete.
The Sailmaster/Hurst Creek Greenbelt will remain closed until March 18. All other area parks and trails are currently open.
Here is a March 1 video from the city showing Public Works activity—https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=533469332257523
FRAUD ADVISORY Issued by City of Lakeway on March 10
Beware phone calls that appear to come from Lakeway Police Department, asking for sensitive information. Lakeway Police will never call and ask for information like bank account numbers or social security numbers. Per the city, a resident reported that someone called from a number appearing to originate from LPD and impersonated the chief of police, telling the resident that Homeland Security was investigating them for suspicious activity. If you get this type of call: HANG UP and call the police department directly at (512) 261-2800 to report the incident.
New Assistant City Manager
On March 6, Council approved the hiring of Ashby Grundman as Assistant City Manager. His first day at City Hall will be March 20. He previously worked for the cities of West Lake Hills, Hutto and Pasadena, after getting his degrees in Public Administration and Urban Planning at University of Texas and Texas A&M. He will oversee the building and development services department, IT and grants program, along with guiding Lakeway’s economic development and assisting the city manager with strategic planning. Complete info is here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1732
“Women in Art”at Lake Travis Community Library
Through March, the Lakeway Arts District presents “Women in Art,” a special art exhibition celebrating Women’s History Month. This exhibit includes paintings, drawings, digital AI art, and mixed media sculptures by local women artists, inspired by women’s history, health, beauty, motherhood and equality. Art events at the library in March are listed here: https://lakewayartsdistrict.com/women-in-art/
Save Lives—GIVE BLOOD
The next Lakeway Community Blood Drive will be on Saturday, March 18, 8AM-noon, at the Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). The event is always well organized, clean and friendly. You will be done and out the door in under 30 minutes. It is an important cause and helps countless people. Plus—FREE JUICE AND COOKIES!
While walk-ins are welcome, those with appointments have priority. You can see upcoming dates and make an appointment to donate by entering your zip code here– https://weareblood.org/donor/schedule/
Garage Sale at Lakeway Activity Center
The next community garage sale is Saturday, March 25, 8AM to noon. Admission is FREE, but in the LAC lobby you can drop off non-perishable or canned food items, to be donated to local food banks and charities. You can also donate new or gently used children’s books, for the Free Little Books bin at the entrance.
Want to sell stuff? Booths measure 10X10. LAC members: $30; non-members: $35. Call 512-261-1010 to reserve a booth, space permitting. Click here to reserve a booth online/check availability: https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog/index/6e27b884045052f2756fa61c687caf87?filter=c2VhcmNoPWdhcmFnZQ==
Airpark Movie Night
The Spring Airpark Movie Night is Saturday, March 25 at 7PM. “Flying the Feathered Edge: The Bob Hoover Project” will be presented at 115 Flying Scot, with the movie starting at 7:15PM. Hanger B2 will serve Craig’O’s pizza plus popcorn, refreshments and a gift for the kiddos. ALL FREE. Bring chairs or blankets. Kids can play in the grassy area.
Eggstravaganza at the Park
On Saturday, April 1, 2-4PM, bring your basket to Lakeway City Park for a FUN and FREE Easter event. There will be photo ops with the Easter Bunny, a petting zoo, giant bubbles, face painting, snacks and more. For the age-structured egg hunt schedule and info on the event, go here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/717/Eggstravaganza
A Night with the Austin Symphony Orchestra
On Saturday, April 1, 2023, 7PM, members of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and students at Lake Travis High School will present a 3rd annual performance at the Lake Travis Performing Arts Center. Go here for details and tickets: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1960/A-Night-with-the-Austin-Symphony-Orchest
Sunday Concert Series
On Sunday, April 16, 4PM, Metamorphosis Dance will perform The Coppelia Suite at LAC (105 Cross Creek) This FREE event is presented by Lakeway Arts Committee.
Enchanted Forest Walk
April 17-30, dawn to dark, behind City Hall. Lakeway and other Lake Travis organizations are working together to bring the Enchanted Forest Walk to life. Want to create a whimsical miniature scene for display on the trail? Contact the Parks Department at 512-314-7530. More info is here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1816/Enchanted-Forest-Walk
Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day! On Saturday, April 22, 11AM-1PM, volunteers will pick up trash along our local roadways and in our parks. City of Lakeway will supply trash pickers, safety vests, trash bags and a map for volunteers, who will team up and head to their designated areas. Afterward, everyone returns to City Hall for a certificate, snacks and more. You’ll need a vehicle plus comfy clothing and sturdy shoes. Go there to sign up: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/FormCenter/Administration-5/Earth-Day-Volunteer-Form-80
Spring Sing Along
Come On, Get Happy! Choose from 2 performances: Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29, starting at 6PM both nights. Ticket sales start March 20 for LAC members, March 27 for non-members. More info and tickets are here: https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog/index?filter=c2VhcmNoPWdldCUyMGhhcHB5JnJlbnRhbCU1QmZyb20lNUQ9JnJlbnRhbCU1QnRvJTVEPSZiMWFjOWQ4NzQzMzNiOTZkZGU3ZmUzODI0ZTFjODBlOD02NDE1N2Q5YTBmY2VhYjg1ZGFhMjNkYjhlZTBjOTQ1NQ==
Council Met on March 6.
Aside from the 2 incumbents (Mayor Kilgore and Councilmember Vance) sitting on the dais, of the 8 candidates for Mayor and Council, ONLY Dan Vardell (who is running for Council) attended the meeting. Personally, I am at a loss to understand how the other 5 candidates for Mayor and Council could be so uninterested in city matters as to miss the meeting and the opportunity to listen to and meet the packed room of residents attending and participating in our process on a matter very important to them.
RESULTS:
ITEM 3: Approving the appointment of Ashby Grundman as Assistant City Manager. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
ITEM 4: Considering parking and other options for the pickleball courts on Sailmaster.
After lengthy Citizens Participation and extensive discussion by Council, they PASSED UNANIMOUSLY a motion to reprioritize the Parks Master Plan and amend the budget as recommended by the City Manager (to cancel the Sailmaster parking lot and use the previously budgeted funds as agreed for repurposing–as quickly as possible–the existing City Park basketball court for pickleball use, then adding more pickleball courts and a new basketball court at City Park, with staff reporting back to Council on this at the March and April regular meetings).
NOTE: The City on March 8 announced that in the interim the Sailmaster pickleball courts will be open daily from 9AM-8PM and suggested players park at City Hall (1102 Lohmans Crossing Road).
ADJOURNED at 9:03PM.
View the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx Go here to watch the Council meeting online: https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/210034
Council Next Meets on March 20.
Council’s regular monthly meeting is on March 20 at City Hall. A few days beforehand, view the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to Council documents) here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Lakeway ELECTIONS
Local elections will be on May 6, with Early Voting starting April 24. (If you aren’t registered to vote, the deadline is April 6.)
EIGHT CANDIDATES will be on Lakeway’s ballot. As of today, however, Roy Paar says he is withdrawing from the race for Mayor; unfortunately, the deadline has passed to remove his name from the ballot (so any votes he gets will be wasted).
March 13 UPDATE: I do not pretend to understand it, but here is the message Roy Paar emailed me today:
Hello, residents of Lakeway. My name is Roy Paar. In the process of campaigning for mayor, I have come to doubt whether I am the best fit for the job. The other two candidates here seem like they are more deserving of your vote, so I have decided to withdraw from the race, however City Hall has informed me that the deadline has passed so my name will still appear on the ballot. I have posted a video on my website (roypaar.com) and you can judge for yourself whether you want someone like me as your mayor. If not, you have other great options. Best of luck to the other candidates and have a great day!
Even worse, at least 3 of the candidates are endorsed and funded by a certain Lakeway PAC. The BAD thing about PACs is they conceal the identity of those contributing to political campaigns. I think Lakeway residents deserve to know exactly who is funding these campaigns, and to what extent. $50 is no big deal, but $500 may well come with strings. And, this PAC gave $20,000 to ONE candidate for Council last year. Wonder what they got for their money? The PAC in question is The Committee to Protect Lakeway (CTPL), also known as the Lakeway Renewal Project, and it is funded by people in several groups, including those in power during past administrations (often stained with scandal), those orchestrating recent ugly episodes involving our police force and our airpark, and developer-types intent on making even more money on Lakeway deals.
Some of the candidates have little to no experience with Lakeway government–not serving on committees, volunteering or even attending meetings. Yet, they expect to be elected….
The 2 candidates remaining in the race for Mayor are:
Incumbent Tom Kilgore was elected Mayor in 2021. In a very busy 2 years, he helped the city recover from the pandemic’s economic effects, guided us through extensive and much-needed city ordinance updates, made possible the completion of Main Street, oversaw practical assistance to residents during the recent ice storm as well as collection of debris afterward, and much more. Mayor Tom managed all this while keeping Lakeway’s share of our property tax bills low. https://kilgoreforlakeway.com/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064819487089
Ron Cooper is a Rough Hollow resident and close associate of Legend Communities CEO Haythem Dawlett. An insurance adjuster, Cooper has lived in Texas and in Lakeway for just 3 years; his only city service to date seems to be a brief stint on the Ethics Committee. He is endorsed and supported by the CTPL PAC (see above).
https://www.roncooperformayor.com/ https://www.facebook.com/RonCooperForLakewayMayor
The 5 candidates for Council are:
Incumbent Gretchen Vance was originally elected to Council in 2019 and currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem. She is an entrepreneur who has lived in Lakeway for 13 years. https://www.vote-vance.com/ https://www.facebook.com/gretchenvancelakewaycitycouncilmember/
Dan Vardell is a multi-disciplinary technology manager who has lived in Lakeway for 8 years. He served on the Parks and Rec Committee, was a member of the Comprehensive Plan Committee during recent updates, and he now serves on the city’s Zoning and Planning Commission. https://www.vote-vardell.com/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090762070845
Kevin Bernzott is a financial CEO and has lived in Lakeway for 3 years. He is a member of the City Building Commission. https://www.facebook.com/kevinbernzott https://www.facebook.com/kevinbernzott
Chris Forton works in life insurance and has lived in Lakeway for 8 years. He ran for Council back in 2019 and now serves on the city’s Zoning and Planning Commission. He is endorsed and supported by the CTPL PAC (see above). https://www.chrisforton4lakeway.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ChrisForton4Lakeway
Kent O’Brien is an engineer who has lived in Lakeway for 14 years. He served on the Parks and Recreation Committee from 2010-12. He is endorsed and supported by the CTPL PAC (see above). https://www.kentforlakeway.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kentforlakeway
MEET THE CANDIDATES
–Tuscan Village will host a Meet the Candidates event at the TV clubhouse on March 30, 6:30-8:00 PM. This event is for Tuscan Village residents only (due to the small venue).
–The Lakeway Civic Corp will present a candidate forum at the Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) on Thursday, April 13 at 7-9PM. Candidates for Mayor and Council will answer questions in a non-partisan format. Open to all Lakeway residents.
–Rough Hollow Candidate Forum is set for the evening of April 25. I’m checking on details, including confirmation this is open to all (like it was last year). More info to come.
CANDIDATE Q&A
I emailed ONE question to all the candidates back on March 2 (with a reminder on March 8). Candidate Ron Cooper did not respond. Here are the responses I received, organized by office sought and in the order they arrived:
QUESTION–What is your solution to the severe shortage of workers available to staff our schools, restaurants, hotels, hospital, emergency services, offices and all other Lakeway businesses?
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
–TOM KILGORE: The Mayor and City Council cannot “solve” a labor shortage across multiple industries. We owe our commercial properties, and business owners: clear regulations, uniform inspections, timely responses and a minimum of red tape. The council has updated our zoning ordinances, creating equal opportunities for property owners. The council is continuing to explore alternative transportation options. We meet with business owners on a regular basis to review alternatives, and continue to see if pilot programs in other municipalities might be solutions for us.
—ROY PAAR: He responded early on but has now withdrawn from the race.
COUNCIL CANDIDATES
–DAN VARDELL: The labor shortages facing Lakeway businesses are a long-term problem that directly impacts quality of life for business owners and residents. When local businesses struggle, or even fail, residents must deal with limited availability of services, poor service experiences, or being forced to drive longer distances to meet even basic needs. When completing Lakeway’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan, we noted this as a high priority issue and recommended multiple steps be taken including: update the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) to identify appropriate areas for higher density, lower cost housing options (done), establish an economic development committee (done), work with developers to reserve a portion of built capacity for reduced cost housing (in progress), and collaborate with Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce as well as surrounding municipalities to build support for regional solutions (in progress). Even though a couple of these are marked ‘done’, they all require ongoing attention to ensure we understand current needs and are making real progress. In the past two years, several developments have been approved in the area that are planned to offer market rate housing options. Similarly, when the new town center was approved, we requested developers reserve 10% capacity for worker-friendly housing options. While I support all these actions, as a council member my focus will be on collaborating with surrounding municipalities to develop regional solutions. If you take 20 minutes as a reasonable commute, this means Lakeway’s labor pool extends from 2222 (North) to Vista Oaks (West) to Oak Hill (Southeast). This highlights that labor is fundamentally a regional issue and no one town can solve it alone. The progress we’ve made the past two years indicates these are the right steps if we continue to maintain focus on this issue as the area grows.
–KEVIN BERNZOTT: I don’t think there’s a shortage of workers in Lakeway any greater than in many other places – that’s driven by economics. The Thundercloud Subs store on Lohman’s Spur recently closed after several years, citing the unavailability of employees. More concerning to me is that we are protected by 35 sworn police officers and I understand none of them live in Lakeway. Few communities can accommodate everyone, and workforce housing is clearly an issue, but when our cops are commuting from Marble Falls, for example, that’s an issue.
–CHRIS FORTON: The problem of a worker shortage isn’t unique to Lakeway. A common theme has developed everywhere that there aren’t enough workers to go around. There are many causes and to try and pinpoint a solution in a short couple paragraph response would be reckless at best and negligent at worst.
As a member of ZAPCO I have voted in accordance with our comprehensive plan to allow a variety of housing densities. While maintaining our single family residential we have also voted to allow townhomes, condos and an apartment. With the apartment the additional density was considered because the developer was going to give the city a park in exchange for the difference in density. All of which aligns with the comprehensive plan for increased park space, and density along 620/71.
All options should be considered, but ultimately the taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for subsidizing a businesses workforce. I’m not insensitive to people having to commute long distances, I have a one hour commute each way, everyday.
As a council member I will evaluate all proposed solutions and decide what action if any would best support and be accepted by the citizens of Lakeway. I will gladly welcome community feedback and utilize the comprehensive plan in my decision making process.
–GRETCHEN VANCE: One solution that I feel is very viable is that we begin a program with LTHS where required service hours can be met by students who choose to work. Many students who are required to meet the 100 service hour requirement to meet specific graduation requirements simply don’t have time to have a job. By allowing students who work in lieu of providing service hours, we can tap into a workforce that is not currently available.
—KENT O’BRIEN: Although, I do not know all of the details, I was not in favor of the Work Force housing development as it was proposed that you note in your question. I am very much in favor of creating opportunities to enhance the work force in our community and the region. I know that our businesses and employers struggle to fill staffing needs and also to find the right staff. When elected, I want to have a robust and comprehensive discussion with residents and businesses to identify concepts and alternatives that will enhance work force opportunities. I will bring ideas to the discussion table that I have observed in other communities, as well as different ideas that I have been considering and formulating as I have watched this debate over the years. Further, when I ran O’Brien Engineering Services which was located in Lakeway, I helped form and led a new LT Chamber of Commerce Mobility Advocacy Group that included representatives from all cities in this region, Travis County, Police Departments, LTFR, and others business representatives. Our purpose sought to identify and advocate improvements to mobility in the area and also included discussions surrounding work force enhancement. There were many ideas that were discussed and came from the very smart and experienced members of the Committee. Unfortunately, this group has been dormant for the past several years, and as your City Councilor, I want to re-engage these same regional partners to bring those ideas, as well as new ideas into this robust discussion.
While I know these discussions have been going on for sometime, we MUST continue the discussion to find effective solutions that help businesses, and at the same time fit within the fabric of Lakeway and the South Shore region of Lake Travis.
Daring Mighty Things
NASA astronaut Josh Cassada took the stunning shot above, on Feb. 28 as he was stationed on the International Space Station, orbiting 250 miles above Earth. Recently, auroras (caused by interaction of the sun’s charged particles with Earth’s atmosphere) have been supercharged by strong sun activity, resulting in brilliant displays.
It worked! An uncrewed Soyuz successfully docked with ISS late on Feb. 25, replacing the Soyuz whose coolant leak rendered it unable to return crew members to Earth. Russia’s replacement Soyuz spacecraft arrives at space station 2/26/23 https://www.space.com/russia-soyuz-replacement-ms-23-international-space-station-docking
President Biden’s recent budget proposal would send over $27 billion to NASA in 2024. That includes $8 billion for the Artemis moon exploration program. NASA gets $27.2 billion in White House’s 2024 budget request 3/9/23 https://www.space.com/white-house-2024-budget-request-nasa
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
The hits just keep coming for women’s rights….
A Galveston man is suing 3 women for helping his ex-wife obtain pills for a medication abortion in 2022. The suit demands $1MIL in damages. Three Texas women are sued for wrongful death after allegedly helping friend obtain abortion medication 3/10/23 https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/10/texas-abortion-lawsuit/
Last week, 5 Texas women sued the state, saying they were denied medically necessary abortions. They are joined by 2 OB-GYNs alleging confusion in the medical community resulting in inability to perform their jobs. Parties seek clarification as to when abortion is allowed under current Texas law. Women denied abortions sue Texas to clarify exceptions to the laws 3/7/23 https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/07/texas-abortion-lawsuit/
Walgreens has caved to intimidation from conservatives and announced it will not sell abortion pills in Alaska, Iowa, Kansas or Montana—DESPITE abortion being legal in those states. Overall, it sounds like the national drugstore chain won’t sell the medication anywhere in the US. Walgreens won’t distribute abortion pills in some states where they remain legal 3/2/23 https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/02/walgreens-abortion-pills-00085325
There is STILL no ruling in the absurd Texas lawsuit contesting the FDA’s approval over 20 years ago of the abortion drug mifepristone. The case remains pending in an Amarillo federal court, before a Trump-appointed judge who has previously issued rulings hostile to abortion rights. A result is expected any day, and a ruling in favor of the conservative Christian plaintiffs would stop medication abortions nationwide, pending appeal that would likely end up in the US Supreme Court. What to know about Texas ruling that could see abortion drug taken off the market 2/8/23 https://abcnews.go.com/Health/texas-ruling-abortion-drug-off-market/story?id=96816852
In a related case, the attorneys general of 12 Democratic-controlled states recently sued the FDA in Washington state, asking a judge to remove special restrictions that the federal agency has long applied to mifepristone, the primary drug used in medication abortions. This suit seeks an order that would effectively contravene steps expected to be imposed by a Texas judge in another case (see above). The Washington suit seeks a declaration that the FDA’s approval of mifepristone is valid and enjoining the FDA from removing mifepristone from the market or reducing availability. 12 States Sue F.D.A., Seeking Removal of Special Restrictions on Abortion Pill 2/24/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/24/health/abortion-pills-fda-lawsuit.html
Nationwide, 40% of abortion clinics ONLY offer medication abortion, generally using a combination of 2 drugs (mifepristone and misoprostol). Clinics that offer both surgical and medication abortion use the latter method about 60% of the time. So, overall, over half the abortions in 2020 used the medication that is now under attack by conservatives. That percentage grew considerably since Roe was abruptly overturned last summer, allowing states to immediately outlaw abortions. Even if access to mifepristone were limited, abortion providers say they could rely solely on misoprostol; however, the result would be a less effective procedure. Where Restrictions on Abortion Pills Could Matter Most in the U.S. 3/2/22 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/03/02/us/abortion-pill-lawsuit-mifepristone.html
Back to me….
March 11–Happy Birthday, Mom.
Having my neighborhood’s storm debris hauled out by the city last week was SUCH a blessing! We have mature trees on every lot in St. Andrews, so there was a huge amount of damage, and our curbs were loaded with debris. It is lovely to be back to normal.
What is NOT normal is how early spring arrived this year. Bluebonnets are in bloom! Plus, the trees are all budding out, hummingbirds have arrived, and my cats are definitely shedding.
The deer are very sedentary and reclusive this time of year. I’m lucky if I spot a few does napping in the trees, on my morning walks these days. Here are some recent photos I took of our deer herd.
The Coronavirus
Hong Kong, a Chinese territory, has lifted its mask mandate, in place since mid-2020 (with fines up to $600 for refusing to mask). As of March 1, people in Hong Kong are no longer required to wear masks indoors, outdoors or on public transportation. However, facilities like hospitals and nursing homes can still require them. Macau, the nearby island known as a gambling mecca and another Chinese territory, ended its mask mandate on Feb. 27.
The Covid origins argument flared up recently, when the US Energy Department announced that an accidental laboratory leak in China most likely caused the coronavirus pandemic. However, the agency immediately undermined its own conclusion by stating it was made with “low confidence.” Other US agencies and groups worldwide champion competing theories, the most prevalent being that Covid-19 originated at a wet market (selling live and often exotic animals for food) in Wuhan, China.
Good news on preventing Long Covid! A recent trial indicates the drug metformin, when given twice daily for 2 weeks, resulted in a significant reduction of subsequent Long Covid. Since the side effects of metformin were near-zero and the cost of the drug is minimal, some experts are pushing for routine use.
Experts (mostly) agree we have finally entered an endemic phase with Covid-19. No new variants have appeared to edge out XBB.1.5, now dominant world-wide. Even better, XBB.1.5 failed to cause a surge of hospitalizations or deaths in the US or in the rest of the world.
However, the baseline of hospitalizations and deaths in the US is high–double what it was back in summer of 2021 before the Delta variant hit. With no official restrictions and people abandoning masks as well as low booster uptake, vulnerable people are getting Covid.
In the US, in the last 2 weeks, the official stats show new cases fell 15% and hospitalizations dropped 11%. (At under 25,000 patients, hospitalization figures are the lowest in nearly a year.) But, deaths INCREASED 20% to an average of 393 Americans per day. See the chart below for current stats. The national testing positivity rate fell to 7.9%.
In Texas, in the last 2 weeks, infections decreased 22%, and hospitalizations dropped 6%. BUT, deaths rose 122%, with an average of 30 Texans dying each day. See the chart below for current stats. The positivity test rate dropped slightly to 10%.
Recent Covid Articles I Recommend
Early Metformin Cuts Long COVID Risk 3/8/23 https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/longcovid/103450
Long Covid Patients More Likely to Have Gastrointestinal Problems, Study Finds 3/7/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/health/long-covid-stomach-pain-acid-reflux.html
What We Know and Don’t Know About the Origins of Covid 2/27/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/27/us/politics/covid-origin-lab-leak-china.html
Hong Kong, One of World’s Last Holdouts, Ends Its Mask Mandate 2/27/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/27/world/asia/hong-kong-mask-mandate.html