Here is what is happening in Lakeway.
AUGUST
Petting Zoo in Lakeway
Bring the family to a temporary petting zoo, on Sunday, Aug. 18, noon-3PM, on the trail between City Hall and the Activity Center. FREE event! Attendees of all ages can enjoy a fun-filled visit with a variety of animals including goats, sheep, donkeys, and a miniature horse. Lunch will be provided by CraigO’s Pizza.
PLUS, around town, you can observe goats grazing the landscape in a special project to remove invasive species and excess vegetation from our green spaces. Goats can be seen from the Petting Zoo site, as well as at other areas including around the pond on LW Blvd. near LW Drive. Since the goats will be in safe and enclosed areas as they work to beautify Lakeway, petting them is NOT allowed. More info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2216/Petting-Zoo
City Hall Art Display and Reception
Through August, the lobby at City Hall (1102 Lohmans Crossing) displays the art of Christy Stephens. Meet the artist at a reception on Monday, August 19, 5:30-7:30 PM.
TexArts summer production
August 9-25—Motown: A Celebration. Go here for info and to buy tickets: https://www.tex-arts.org/upcoming-productions
Lake Travis Democrats Club
–BOOK CLUB: Tuesday, Aug. 20, 6:30PM at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing Rd.). Instead of book discussion, there will be a speaker, Carolyn Forte, co-founder of FReadom Fighters and protector of the right to read.
–MONTHLY MEETING: Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6:30PM at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek), with a presentation by Joshua Blank, Research Director of the Texas Politics Project and polling expert.
–Want a DEM campaign sign? Go here and follow the prompts to request signs: https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/
–We have a hugely important election in November. LT Dems are working with Western Travis Democrats (a group of local Dem Precinct Chairs) to organize activities including mailings, block walks/lit drops, phone banks, texting, campaign signs, and more for this fall. Go here (at the link, scroll down to GOTV and click on More Info) to sign up and help GET OUT THE VOTE this fall: https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/copy-of-club-activities
–These activities take money. Printing, postage, signs—it adds up. Donations are needed. ACT BLUE makes donating easy and secure. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/western-travis-democrats-1
–Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for club activities each month.
Cool Arts Show and Studio Tour
The Lakeway Arts Committee hosts the 8th annual Cool Arts Show and Studio Tour, Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 24-25. The event is FREE to the Public and will feature live music in the Lakeway Activity Center courtyard, along with fine visual arts created by around 20 Lakeway-area artists. Go here for info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1858/Cool-Arts-Show-Studio-Tour
Lakeway Photo Festival Contest–enter by Aug. 31.
Calling local amateur and professional photographers to enter their work in Lakeway’s 22nd annual photo contest. It is FREE to enter; winners will be displayed at City Hall. Entry deadline is Aug. 31. All photos must be taken within the City of Lakeway, by residents within the Lakeway Travis ISD area. This year’s categories include: Abstract/Artistic; Architecture; Birds; Community; Drone/Aerial; Greenscapes; Macro/Closeup; Pets; Skyscapes; Waterscapes; and Wildlife. Photos will be judged on creativity, photographic quality, and effectiveness in conveying the beauty and unique character of Lakeway. Go here for info and to enter: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1843/Lakeway-Photo-Festival
DOUBLE Your Donation to the WEST Library in August.
An anonymous community member has offered to match donations during the month of August. In the process of heavy renovations at the new West location, the library needs your donation. Don’t miss this chance to double your impact. https://laketravislibrary.org/donate/
Art at the Library
Local artist, author and library volunteer Victoria Waite’s abstract paintings are on display in the library’s meeting room all of August. She creates contemporary pieces in vibrant colors. The library’s meeting room showcases local artists on a rotating monthly basis.
In September, the Friends of the Library Art Committee will meet to select the featured artists for 2025. If you are interested in exhibiting your work, please review and complete the application. It is also available at the circulation desk. https://d31hzlhk6di2h5.cloudfront.net/20240806/7f/1e/88/8e/8db36f1ad09db58d668346e0/Art_Selection_Policy_2023.pdf
Mayor Kilgore’s Facebook Update
The mayor gave a live update on Aug. 15. Go here to watch: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=429562329418192
Transportation Bond projects.
Lakeway’s hot tar summer draws to a close. The city announced that resurfacing of all 3 or our major roads—LW Drive, LW Boulevard and Lohmans Crossing—was completed as of Aug. 10. Striping work will happen in September with minor traffic delays expected. Questions or comments? Call Lakeway Public Works at 512-608-9000 or email the city info@lakeway-tx.gov
Council met on Aug. 5 for a BUDGET WORK SESSION.
RESULTS: Five members attended the meeting, 4 on the dais plus Council Member Sherman via Zoom. Council Members Forton and Brynteson were absent.
The Budget Workshop began with some Committees presenting their funding requests. This included Arts ($59,500), Economic Development ($30,000), Heritage ($29,500), and Wildlife ($4,900).
Property tax rates adopted in recent years were reviewed (0.1645 in 2020 and 2021, 0.1545 in 2022, 0.1290 in 2023, and 0.1440 in 2024).
Travis County has supplied current property tax data to the city, indicating Lakeway’s base property value is $8.1BIL (compared to $7.6BIL in 2024). New growth is only 2% of that, compared to 3.2% in 2024. That small amount of new taxes means that a “no new revenue” tax rate will not generate enough additional funds to cover the new expenses Council is contemplating.
Several higher tax rates were discussed. The City Manager seemed to favor increasing the tax rate as high as possible without requiring voter approval, in order to maximize funding. (I believe the rate mentioned was 0.1626, which would raise the average home’s tax bill by $222.)
Remember that our property tax bills include funding for much more than City of Lakeway. Travis County and LTISD get the biggest pieces of the pie (by FAR). The MUDs get another chunk, along with emergency services and others. City of Lakeway gets only about 8% of what we pay in property taxes. So, whatever Council does, it only affects that small chunk of the bill–under 10% of it.
Merit raises and cost of living increases for city employees are being evaluated. As for salary savings, a couple BDS clerks will not be replaced, due to the Main Street construction delays causing a slow-down in permitting. The previously discussed change to Enterprise Fleet for vehicle maintenance and purchases may be delayed until next year. The expected $1.4MIL in FEMA reimbursement for ice storm costs still has not arrived. Establishing an Emergency Fund for that kind of expense is under consideration. They are also looking at shifting from funding large projects via bonds to doing so via a Capital Improvement Plan; the sticky part is how to fund it. Several Capital Reserve Fund expenses (about $6MIL total) were discussed, the largest being $1.8MIL for building renovations (nearly all at the Justice Center).
The Aug. 19 meeting will continue Budget discussions. Meetings on Sept. 3 and 16 will finalize the property tax rate and budget.
ADJOURNED at 8:16 PM. Go here to watch the Council meeting online: https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/311552 View the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Next Council meeting is Aug. 19, 6:30PM at City Hall.
Consequential Agenda items include:
ITEM 10: Citizen’s Participation for items not on the agenda.
ITEM 11: Financial Report.
ITEM 12: Discussion and direction to staff re: Lakeway pools built 2017-2023 and damaged by ASR.
ITEM 13: Request by Special Olympics Texas for $300,000 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund.
ITEMS 14 and 15: Request to amend the Future Land Use Map as to 5.36 acres at 300 Birrell Street from commercial to residential. PLUS: Request to change the zoning of the same tract from C-1 (office/retail) to Planned Unit Development (PUD).
ITEM 16: First reading of proposed change of the ordinance as to solicitors, the primary changes being deleting the current No Visit list and requiring homeowners to post a No Solicitation sign.
ITEM 17: Discussion as to Baby Box Interlocal Agreement, requiring $800 annually from City of Lakeway to fund continued operation and maintenance of the Safe Haven Baby Box at the Pedernales Fire Station, which provides a safe, legal, and anonymous option for parents in crisis who need to surrender their newborns.
ITEM 18: Status update on the 620 Overlay Zoning District.
ITEM 19: FY 2025 Budget Workshop, with proposal of a tax rate. The city recently posted budget data here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/43284/FY-2024-2025-Budget-Draft
ITEM 21: Executive Session on Hillsong PUD.
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 (live or later): https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events
REMINDER–Keep your DOGS out of Lake Travis, due to deadly algae.
Sadly, this has happened for several years now, and another dog died after swimming in Lake Travis over the July 4 holiday. This local article explains the problem. Dog dies after swimming in Lake Travis, LCRA urges owners to keep pets away 7/6/24 https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/dog-dies-after-swimming-in-lake-travis-lcra-urges-owners-to-keep-pets-away
SEPTEMBER
College Gameday at the Swim Center
Celebrate the start of the NCAA season on Saturday, Sept. 7, 11AM (note the time change), at Lakeway Swim Center. Watch the Texas Longhorns play in Michigan against the Wolverines, streamed live on a massive LED screen. FREE event! Enjoy food and activities for all ages, including yard games, inflatables, face painters, and more. Info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2077/College-Gameday
Comprehensive Plan Community Dialogue Public Meeting
Attend the second public meeting on the new Comprehensive Plan, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 5:30PM, at Lakeway City Hall. Get an update on developments and provide your input. Go here for more info including a link to see the project’s timeline, goals, status and more: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1547/Comprehensive-Plan
Garage Sale at Lakeway Activity Center
The next community garage sale is Saturday, Sept. 14 from 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? LAC members-$30 per booth; Non-Members-$35 per booth. Call 512-261-1010 to reserve a booth, or go here and click on Garage Sale tab: https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog
Spikeball Day at City Park
On Saturday, Sept. 14, 10AM-noon, head over to Lakeway City Park to play Spikeball—the new sport taking over the country. Fun for the whole family, spikeball is a high-energy game requiring very little equipment; a net, a ball, and four players is all you need. FREE event! Plus–prizes, giveaways, free sports drinks and waters, as well as FREE LUNCH at noon for the first 25 people. Spikeball is easy to learn. Go here for the rules and more info, and to sign up: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2076/Lakeway-Spikeball-Day
Sunday Afternoon Concert at LAC
On Sunday, Sept. 15, 4-5:30PM, enjoy Debussy String Quartet/Schubert Cello Quintet at the Lakeway Activity Center. FREE event! Info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1862/Sunday-Afternoon-Concert-Series
Shred Day
Lake Travis Senior Services is sponsoring a FREE shred event, on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 9-11 AM. Just drop off your papers at Lakeway Commons (corner of Lakeway Blvd. and 620), in the parking lot of Lakeway Aquatic PT. Info here: https://www.ltseniorservices.org/event-details/shred-day-5
Give Blood at Lakeway Activity Center on Sept. 21.
The next blood drive at LAC is on Saturday, Sept. 21, 8AM-noon. This recurring event is well organized, clean and friendly. You will be done and out the door in 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/
Cornhole Tournament at Lakeway Swim Center
Bring family and friends to the Lakeway Swim Center Field (3103 Serene Hills Drive) on Saturday, Sept. 21, 10AM, for City of Lakeway’s 2024 Cornhole Tournament. FREE event! Enjoy a fun-filled day of tossing bags, with college football on the Jumbo Screen, delicious food from local vendors, and exciting activities for all ages. Info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2015/Cornhole-Tournament
Aging Well EXPO at LAC
Join Lake Travis Senior Services at its annual Aging Well Expo on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 10AM-1:30PM, at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). Attendees will learn about services and products promoting health and happiness during the aging process. Enjoy a breakfast snack, lunch and presentations by outstanding speakers, plus door prizes, flu/Covid shots, goody bags, and more. https://www.ltseniorservices.org/aging-well-expo
OCTOBER
SIGN UP NOW for National Night Out.
Police teams and city leaders will visit area gatherings in Lakeway during National Night Out, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. Go here for info and form to request a visit to your group/area: https://lakeway-tx.gov/344/National-Night-Out
The Lakeway Players: Kitchen Witches coming in October.
The Lakeway Players present the award-winning comedy, The Kitchen Witches, Oct. 3-5, at Lakeway Activity Center. Doors open at 6:30PM; show starts at 7:30PM. Tickets are $34. Bring your own food and alcoholic beverages. Go here for info and to buy tickets: https://www.thelakewayplayers.com/
SIGN UP NOW for Historical Bus Tours through Lakeway.
These tours always fill up FAST! Registration is OPEN for Lakeway historical bus tours, happening on Friday, Oct. 25, at 9:15AM, 11:15AM, and 1:15PM. FREE tours start at Lakeway City Hall, so you can also take a look inside the historic Liebelt Cabin. Go here for info and to register: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail
Daring Mighty Things
Watch a stunning 10-second video, condensed from over 3 hours of an exploding prominence–an Earth-sized blob of plasma dancing around on our Sun’s surface. (Image credit: NASA, SDO, Alan Watson via Helioviewer.) It’s exactly how I feel most sunny days on my morning walks…. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240728.html
WOW—Perseid meteors shooting through the northern lights! The above image (credit: Gunjan Sinha) was taken Aug 11 in Canada. Check the article for more stunning images. Rare Perseid meteor shower and northern lights display excites stargazers worldwide 8/12/24 https://www.space.com/perseid-meteor-shower-and-northern-lights-auroras-august-2024-photos
Still docked at ISS, Starliner has no return date. (Image credit: ESA.) Boeing’s first mission to the ISS has been stuck up there since June 5, due to multiple helium leaks and thruster failures on Starliner’s debut crewed flight. NASA has been troubleshooting for over 2 months with little result. Now, officials say they expect to make a final decision on the crew’s return by the end of August. Starliner’s overstaying its welcome at the space station has forced delay of upcoming flights due to docking limits; SpaceX’s next Crew-9 launch has been pushed out a full month to late September, and a SpaceX Cargo Dragon resupply flight is delayed until mid-October. If NASA decides Starliner isn’t safe, it will be undocked from ISS and sent home empty, in hopes of a nominal parachute deployment, landing and recovery. That would make room for SpaceX’s Crew-9 to dock at ISS with a reduced crew, allowing Boeing’s 2 astronauts to ride back to Earth very belatedly, after the SpaceX mission ends in Feb. of 2025. Will Boeing’s Starliner astronauts ride a SpaceX Dragon home in 2025? NASA could decide next week 8/14/24 https://www.space.com/nasa-boeing-starliner-return-date-decision-imminent
Musk and SpaceX are polluting Texas waters, in and around the Starbase facility in Boca Chica, per CNBC, which reports that SpaceX’s deluge system discharges industrial wastewater into nearby bodies of water. As support, it cites a notice of violation of the Clean Water Act issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; the related investigation found that SpaceX discharged industrial wastewater without a permit four times between March and July of 2024. (The deluge system is used for flight safety, protecting launch infrastructure and its surroundings by absorbing the intense heat and vibrations of launch.) According to CNBC, the violations could threaten SpaceX’s ambitions to increase sharply the number of Starship launches from the Texas facility. SpaceX denies it all. (Image credit: SpaceX via X.) SpaceX refutes reports that its Starship launch pad system polluted Texas waters 8/14/24 https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-starbase-water-pollution-response
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
Vote BLUE, to protect women’s health and freedom over their own bodies, keep Mifepristone available, protect our rights to contraception and to fertility options like IVF, and block the far right from coming after other personal freedoms like who we marry, when we divorce, and how we raise our kids.
Last week, Arizona and Missouri joined the long list of states where abortion will be on the November ballot. [See above image, from Axios.] At least 8 states have already approved abortion-related ballot questions, generally state constitutional protection, including Florida, Maryland, S. Dakota, Colorado, Nevada, New York, Arizona, and Missouri. In 3 more states—Arkansas, Montana and Nebraska—advocates seem likely to meet the requirements by November. Efforts in 3 more states—Pennsylvania, Iowa and Maine—have bogged down. (Remember: while state protections of abortion rights are great, they will be wiped out by a NATIONAL ABORTION BAN if Trump or another Republican gets in the White House.) States where abortion is on or proposed for the ballot in 2024 8/13/24 https://www.axios.com/2024/04/06/abortion-amendment-november-2024-elections-states-map
Two women filed federal complaints against Texas hospitals for refusing to treat their ectopic pregnancies, resulting in loss of their fallopian tubes and endangering their future fertility. Texas law allows doctors to terminate ectopic pregnancies (a condition where the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tubes, instead of in the uterus). Ectopic pregnancies are always non-viable and can quickly become life-threatening if left untreated. Nevertheless, the plaintiffs say they were turned away from two separate hospitals that refused to treat them. The complaint alleges that the doctors and hospitals are so fearful of the state’s abortion laws, which carry heavy fines and sentences up to life in prison when violated, that they are hesitating to perform even protected abortions. In new complaint, Texas women say delayed care due to abortion laws endangered their fertility 8/12/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/12/texas-abortion-law-ectopic-pregnancies/
New Mexico welcomes medicals professionals oppressed by the anti-abortion law in Texas. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced an initiative to encourage medical professionals in Texas to relocate to New Mexico, including several billboards (image credit: Clear Channel) adjacent to the Houston Medical Center and full-page ads in major Texas newspapers across the state. Gov. Grisham’s communications highlighted New Mexico’s commitment to protecting the full spectrum of health care, including abortion access. Governor invites Texas healthcare professionals to New Mexico 8/4/24 https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/08/05/governor-invites-texas-healthcare-professionals-to-new-mexico-free-to-provide-campaign-highlights-reproductive-health-freedom/
Planned Parenthood announced that that its only Manhattan clinic would stop performing abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, as of Sept. 3. New York law allows abortion through the 24th week of pregnancy, and later in cases where a fetus is not viable or a woman’s life or health is at risk. But, the clinic can no longer afford the “deep sedation” required to perform abortions beyond the 20-week mark. All other NYC area Planned Parenthood centers have already discontinued abortions after 20 weeks. This is the latest sign of financial struggles for Planned Parenthood’s New York chapter, which also plans to close four clinics around the state, including its sole clinic on Staten Island. The chapter has already instituted executive pay cuts and consolidated job functions. Manhattan Planned Parenthood Will Stop Offering Abortions After 20 Weeks 8/7/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/07/nyregion/planned-parenthood-abortions-manhattan.html
Doctors and patients in red states are moving or destroying frozen embryos due to an emerging movement against in vitro fertilization. In Alabama, the State Supreme Court ruled in February that embryos are “unborn children.” Several fertility clinics responded by hiring biotech companies to move the cells elsewhere; another clinic is discarding embryos in New York, due to concerns about the legality of doing so in Alabama. Across the country, in red states with abortion bans and activists demanding that IVF be banned next, clinics and individual patients are shipping frozen embryos (specks of 70 to 200 cells barely visible to the human eye) to blue states, to safely preserve their fertility options. I.V.F. Threats in Alabama Drive Clinics to Ship Out Embryos 8/12/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/health/ivf-embryos-alabama.html
Back to me….
Aug. 14 was my Maxie’s anniversary—17 years since I brought her home, at 8 months old. She was born at a shelter on Maui and had a rough kittenhood, sickly and underweight; they had named her Minnie so the first thing I did was change her name to Maxie, and that did the trick. Maxie has been happy and healthy ever since, accompanying me on many adventures. She knows stuff about me, good and bad, that no other living being does–good thing she’s not talking. Maxie doesn’t judge, either; she just loves. And purrs like a motorboat. Above are some baby pictures from way back in 2007, including the middle shot showing her sopping wet after her first (and only) bath. (Talk about stink eye!) Below are 3 photos from 2024. Maxie is slowing down now and I suspect won’t be here much longer, so I treasure every day she gives me.
Call me strange, but the Summer Olympics bored me. I just can’t watch breathlessly as people SWIM. Or RUN. Or RIDE A BIKE. I respect their talent and dedication, but I have zero interest in watching. (In the Winter Games, the endless skiing competitions at least offer lovely views.) On the other hand, I used to be a HUGE fan of gymnastics and looked forward to the Olympics for that. But, I read too much about how young bodies were ruined by the continuous battering; the repeated instances of youngsters being sexually abused by adults in charge ended my ability to watch that sport. (So far, every October to March I remain obsessed with watching figure skating competitions, though the Olympics tend to be an over-hyped anomaly interrupting the usual competitive cycle every 4 years.) Now, if viewers had somehow gotten one of those chocolate muffins I kept hearing about, I might have tuned in for the Paris Games…. But, NOT to the breakdancing competition; sorry, that’s not a sport.
Paris WAS the backdrop for one much-awaited ceremony. The 9 US skaters from the 2022 Olympic team–Nathan Chen, Vincent Zhou, Alexa Knierim, Brandon Frazier, Karen Chen, Madison Hubbell, Zachary Donohue, Madison Chock and Evan Bates–received their gold medals after a delay of more than two years. At the team event during the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Russia seemingly won the gold, with US taking silver. But, the awards ceremony was delayed and it was soon revealed that Russian skating star Kamila Valieva, just 15 years old then, had tested positive 6 weeks earlier for trimetazidine (a drug improving blood flow), which is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substance list. Valieva was banned from competition for 4 years from the test date, which disqualified her Beijing scores. So, in Paris, Team USA finally got their gold medals, with silver going to Japan, and Russia bumped down to bronze.
It is SO HOT out there. Give wildlife a break and some fresh water, preferably in the shade. Rinse the bowl and add fresh water daily, to avoid breeding mosquitos. (Image credit: Angels Among Us Animal Rescue.)
Lakeway’s fawns are growing up way too fast. Here are some of my fawn photos, taken in Old Lakeway during the last couple weeks.
Coronavirus Update
LOTS of Lakeway folks are getting Covid. In group situations and especially when traveling, WEAR A MASK.
The summer Covid wave is severe across the country and has not yet crested. As of Aug. 10, the CDC’s Data Tracker shows all 4 Covid-19 indicators (test positivity, ER visits, hospitalization, and death rate) RISING sharply. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
Wastewater viral testing shows VERY HIGH levels (instead of LOW back in June and HIGH in July). https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/index.html
Summer of 2024 is riding a major Covid wave now, with an estimated 900,000 new infections every day, based on US wastewater data. Numbers are still trending upward, with no plateau in sight. To blame are the variants KP.3 and KP.3.1.1, which together now account for more than half of new cases in the US. While severe cases are not rampant, early August saw a relative increase of 25% of deaths and 12% increase in emergency room visits due to Covid. The Indomitable Covid Virus 8/3/24 https://erictopol.substack.com/p/the-indomitable-covid-virus
New Covid vaccines should be available by September/October, updated to fight the newest variant offshoot called KP.2. Experts say everyone 6 months and older should get the updated vaccine this fall. As Covid cases rise, CDC recommends new version of vaccine 6/27/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/covid-cases-rise-cdc-panel-recommends-updated-vaccine-fall-rcna159349
If you catch Covid, consider taking Paxlovid. It prevents severe illness and death in people at high risk; studies show it is effective in nearly 75% of cases. And “high risk” covers most American adults, including those with depression, obesity, asthma or a history of smoking. Anyone age 50 or older should take Paxlovid, regardless of health status. Lots more good info in this article: I Have Covid. Should I Take Paxlovid? 1/11/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/well/covid-paxlovid-treatment.html
Recent articles:
–The Indomitable Covid Virus 8/3/24 https://erictopol.substack.com/p/the-indomitable-covid-virus
–What Causes Dangerous Inflammation in Children With Covid? 8/7/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/07/health/misc-autoimmune-children.html
–About 400 Million People Worldwide Have Had Long Covid, Researchers Say 8/9/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/09/health/long-covid-world.html
–Should You Get Another Covid Shot Now? 8/12/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/well/coronavirus-vaccine-booster.html