This week, people got fed up with the shutdown. Actually, they were TOLD to be fed up with it, by the White House and various conspiracy nutbars. COVID-19 stats failed to improve, with confirmed cases and deaths rising, yet at the federal level there was a sudden impatience and demand to reopen the country. Public demonstrations in some states followed—with the demonstrators’ lack of good sense and common decency exemplified by their lack of face masks and social distancing; in some cases, they even blocked emergency vehicles and hospital entrances. And certain governors began opening up their states, without coronavirus numbers justifying it. Yes, the unemployment numbers are appalling, but they are completely expected. No one promised this would be a fun pandemic. Shutting down all but essential services and keeping people home does seem to be flattening the curve, but it has not stopped the virus. What we are doing is working; that is reason to CONTINUE doing it—NOT stop precautions to go “back to normal.” Only the politically asinine could believe that is a workable option.
In Texas, we are getting used to wearing masks. Education remains shut down through the school year. Overall, the required closures in Texas are relatively lax, compared to other states taking this seriously; “essential” means whatever people want it to mean, here. Yet, Gov. Abbott just announced that next week state parks will open, the ban on medical procedures will relax, and ALL retail stores can reopen for to go/delivery services. Plus, more openings are promised soon. Since Texas remains dead last in testing among US states, we lack a firm grasp on COVID-19 here, but the confirmed Texas cases/hospitalizations/deaths we DO know about don’t justify opening up the state anytime soon. The sole justification seems to be that Gov. Abbott is a Republican, and his puerile boss says it is time to open up.
Lakeway City Council has another online meeting tomorrow night (April 20, 6:30pm). The agenda and meeting packet are available in tabs on this page– https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx The mayor is appointing Chairman Ron Massa, Larry Harlan and Tom Woodard as her 3-man Economic Development Committee; their meetings will be closed to the public. Legends has 2 agenda items, both final plat approvals for all the building in Rough Hollow they are getting done during the crisis—luxury homes being “essential,” to them, at least. Plus, another senior living center is up for approval just past Rough Hollow on Bee Creek Road near 71. There are several other matters, as well. Anyone wanting to participate must email the city and make arrangements beforehand, by 3pm that day, and will be allowed to phone in a 3 minute comment. Watch live as usual; the recording will also be available. https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events
As for me, I’m trying to go shopping less frequently for perishables. To keep from going out every 10-14 days for milk, I bought 2 gallons last week and put 1 jug in the freezer. (Google said freezing milk is fine, as long as you remove some milk to allow for expansion. I did that, but there is still a large bulging lump near the bottom of the frozen jug that will be worrisome when it thaws….) Also, I had the pest control guy come out to spray all around outside the house, in hopes all the scary creatures will stay outside.
Perspective is key.
A week ago (April 12), these were the numbers on COVID-19, cases/deaths:
Worldwide US Texas Travis Co.
1,851,734/114,179 560,402/22,105 13,484/271 774/9
There were 21 confirmed cases in Lakeway’s zip codes of 78734 and 78738.
Today’s numbers (April 19):
Worldwide US Texas Travis Co.
2,407,255/165,047 764,303/40,548 18,923/477 1108/25
There are 26 confirmed cases in Lakeway’s zip codes of 78734 and 78738.
Things I wonder about….
–Why can’t America in general and Texas in particular get with the program as far as testing? And, how dare the politicians just give up on that integral component, as they now sacrifice health in the mad rush to shore up the economy? Experts at Harvard say the minimum COVID-19 DAILY testing rate to safely reopen is 152 per 100,000 people, to allow those infected to be identified and their contacts tested as well. In the US, the current daily testing rate is 45, while in Texas the rate is 27.
–How do the workers at HEB stay so cheery?
–Has anyone seen a newborn fawn parked in Lakeway yet? (My Deer page has photos from last spring.)
I update my COVID-19 page daily with useful articles. See the Menu for that page; here is the link– https://ninawriteorwronginlakeway.com/coronavirus-covid-19/