Author: Nina Davis

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It pretty much HAS to be an improvement over 2020, right?

Recent articles I recommend….

Turns out that a Covid test can tell more than that you are infected; it can tell how sick you are likely to get and whether you might die.  From the article: Dozens of research papers published over the past few months found that people whose bodies were teeming with the coronavirus more often became seriously ill and more likely to die, compared with those who carried much less virus and were more likely to emerge relatively unscathed. The results suggest that knowing the so-called viral load — the amount of virus in the body — could help doctors predict a patient’s course, distinguishing those who may need an oxygen check just once a day, for example, from those who need to be monitored more closely, said Dr. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease physician at Columbia University in New York. Little effort has been made to track viral loads in Covid-19 patients. This month, however, the Food and Drug Administration said clinical labs might report not just whether a person was infected with the coronavirus, but an estimate of how much virus was carried in their body. “This is a very important move by the F.D.A.,” said Dr. Michael Mina, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “I think it’s a step in the right direction to making the most use of one of the only pieces of data we have for many positive individuals.” You’re Infected With the Coronavirus. But How Infected?  12/29/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/29/health/coronavirus-viral-load.html

The vaccines are here, but only for a few of us–for now.  Here are some good articles on relevant issues.

–What the Vaccine Side Effects Feel Like, According to Those Who’ve Gotten It  12/28/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/28/us/vaccine-first-patients-covid.html

—How will you be told when it’s your turn for a COVID-19 vaccine? It’s complicated. 12/24/20 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/12/24/covid-vaccine-eligibility-how-when-americans-notified/4008128001/

—Here’s what you need to know about who is eligible and how to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Texas  12/23/20 https://www.texastribune.org/2020/12/23/coronavirus-vaccine-texas/

—Hang in There, Help Is on the Way  12/18/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/18/well/live/getting-through-covid-guide.html

The Election

Biden-Harris STILL won the election, and they will STILL be sworn into office on Jan. 20.  BUT, Trump’s attempted coup continues, 2 months after he lost the election.  On January 6, lame duck V-P Pence and the US Senate are threatening to stage a truly asinine spectacle.  Instead of the Constitutionally-mandated statement of electoral votes previously certified by electors from all the states (306 for Biden, 232 for Trump), we are promised crazy objections, heated discussions, wild allegations, outlandish alternatives, and other nauseating displays of slavish devotion to a deranged puppet master.  And THEN there will be the Constitutionally-mandated statement of electoral votes previously certified by electors from all the states (306 for Biden, 232 for Trump).  Obviously, Republicans have no business to handle more important than their own warped self-interest and nothing but contempt for the American people and our democracy.  https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/02/ted-cruz-electoral-college-challenge-453430

Yet another deeply stupid lawsuit originating in Texas and promoting Trump’s coup attempt has been shot down in court (by judges who are all Republican appointees). https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/01/louie-gohmert-lawsuit-pence-453387

The great state of Georgia elects 2 US Senators on Jan. 5.  Fingers crossed that the Democrats win both races, so that Republicans lose their stranglehold on the Senate and the incoming administration can get crucial things done. 

The Coronavirus

The vaccines are miraculous.  THANK YOU, to all our titans of science!  But, vaccines are not an immediate fix.  America has over 330 million people; so far, we have struggled to get 4 million vaccinated.  Do the math….

Early estimates are that about 25,000 American lives will be saved by vaccines by March.  Great!  BUT, widespread mask wearing would save 50,000 lives by March.  So, wear a mask!  For more, read this article–This Is the Test of Our Lifetimes 12/11/20  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/opinion/sunday/coronavirus-vaccine-united-states.html

Speaking of vaccines, the Trump administration has logged yet another pandemic failure as the dolts stumble out the door.  (I’m sure the Biden administration is keeping a list.)  Operation Warp Speed promised 20 million vaccinations before 2020 ended, but only 4 million Americans have gotten the vaccine.  Many mistakes were made, but this seems to be the central issue: “We’ve taken the people with the least amount of resources and capacity and asked them to do the hardest part of the vaccination — which is actually getting the vaccines administered into people’s arms,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, the dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health.Federal and state officials have denied they are to blame for the slow rollout. Officials behind Operation Warp Speed, the federal effort to fast-track vaccines, have said that their job was to ensure that vaccines are made available and get shipped out to the states. President Trump said in a tweet on Tuesday that it was “up to the States to distribute the vaccines once brought to the designated areas by the Federal Government.” “Ultimately, the buck seems to stop with no one,” Dr. Jha said. For more, go here–Here’s Why Distribution of the Vaccine Is Taking Longer Than Expected  12/31/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/31/health/vaccine-distribution-delays.html

Another good article on the delays–We Came All This Way to Let Vaccines Go Bad in the Freezer? 12/31/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/31/opinion/coronavirus-vaccines-expiring.html

Having trouble processing the death toll numbers?  I am.  Over 360,000 dead in the US, millions dead worldwide….   Remember when we grappled with 100,000 dead Americans in late May?  200,000 dead in mid-September?  300,000 dead as of Dec. 10?  As the numbers soar, my mind shuts down.  I found out why in a recent article which in part says this—In the face of one of the biggest mass casualty events in American history, we are growing increasingly numb to death, experts say — numb to the crisis and tragedy it represents and to the action it requires in response. Something happens in the brain when fatalities reach such high numbers, say psychologists who have studied genocides and mass disasters. The casualties become like a mountain of corpses that has grown so large it becomes difficult to focus on the individual bodies. “In fact, the more who die, sometimes the less we care,” Psychologist Paul Slovic said in an interview. In greater numbers, death becomes impersonal, and people feel increasingly hopeless that their actions can have any effect. “Statistics are human beings with tears dried off,” Slovic said. “And that’s dangerous because we need tears to motivate us.”

“Think about the disasters that have captured our national attention … A hurricane like Katrina hits. News crews show the devastation, and people open their wallets,” said Lori Peek, who directs the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder. “But this pandemic isn’t a camera-ready event like that.” Instead of a single discrete event — like the twin towers collapsing on Sept. 11, 2001 — the pandemic has unfolded as an invisible, slow-creeping, chronic hazard. Over time, our brains gradually tune out the danger.  Go here to read the entire article–Why Americans are numb to the staggering coronavirus death toll 12/21/20  https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/why-americans-are-numb-to-the-staggering-coronavirus-death-toll/?amp=1

The Covid stats now reported on official sites are soaring, breaking awful records set during the spring and summer surges.  America has over 20 million cases, with 360,000 dead; daily death counts are 3,000-4,000 now.  125,000 are hospitalized.  Across the country in states as disparate as North Carolina and California, hospitals are out of ICU beds, personnel, oxygen, medication and supplies; many facilities can ONLY care for those patients most likely to survive.  Mortuaries cannot keep up. 

Texas has over 1.5 million confirmed cases, with 28,000 dead and 12,000 now hospitalized.  Nearly every hospital region is over the Covid patient threshold set by Gov. Abbott, yet he does nothing.  Worse, he and his felonious Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Austin officials for trying to protect public safety by limiting gatherings over the New Year’s holiday.  Abbott and Paxton care more about looking good to Republicans in Washington than about saving lives in Texas.   Remember that when they come up for re-election.

This surge is largely due to Thanksgiving traveling and gathering.  So, a month from now, we will experience the results of even more reckless behavior during Christmas and New Years.  With relief from vaccines several months away, the worst is yet to come.

In Lakeway

Council’s Dec. 21 meeting included the first review of the proposed restatement of the Rough Hollow Development Agreement.  The existing RH PUD dates from 1997, with 8 amendments through the decades.  The stated purpose of the restatement is to simplify, clarify and update the provisions needed as the project is finally completed in the next 4 years.  Rather comically, the discussion derailed early on, with multiple public comments attacking developer Legend Communities, for recently announcing plans to build on certain empty lots previously deemed unfit for development; adjacent owners relied on those inferior lots staying greenbelt and now fear both crowding and loss of property value due to low area comps.  At least 1 Council member happily hopped down that rabbit hole, much to the ire of others who want this new agreement accepted and not drawn off-course for a “tangential” issue.  Actual discussion of the agreement’s provisions was surprisingly limited.  For instance, the previously touted requirement that Legends follow CURRENT ordinances, as opposed to 1997 ordinances as is now allowed, was not mentioned; even earlier, it was clear it would NOT be a blanket update to current law, with several variances still benefiting Legends.  The parks issue was also skirted; the original agreement required the developer to provide a shore access park and a sports field park, which are missing as of now.  Finally, there WAS public comment against the proposed storage facility that Legends wants to build near the roundabout at the Hwy. 71 end of the development.  Legends SpokesBot Bill Hayes insisted this would be an asset for the community, being tailored for luxury cars and wine storage; he agreed to provide an architectural rendering of the storage facility to facilitate discussion.  It was stated that the public can read the agreement now.  The draft IS in the online Meeting Packet for this meeting, but most of the exhibits are missing or incomplete and many cross-references don’t match up.  No action was taken.  Discussion on this topic will continue at future meetings.

The only other critical issue discussed at the meeting was a rehash of forcing Stratus to construct the middle Main Street segment 2021-2023.  This was decided at the November meeting but a mistake on public notice require a re-do.  This time, an attorney representing Stratus spoke.  Unfortunately, he was not moved by public comment on behalf of Santa noting that Stratus has been on the Naughty List for 7 years now for failing to build this road. Instead, he made it clear that Stratus’ position is that building the road prior to development of the tract was NOT what was agreed and is not feasible.  Yep—this is going to court.

Go here to watch this Council meeting online—https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Council’s next meeting will be on Tuesday (due to MLK Day that Monday), Jan. 19.   That is the only meeting currently scheduled for the month.  Hopefully, there will be disclosure of the results of the 2020 deer count, performed in October.  Likely, the Rough Hollow agreement will be discussed in detail; it may come to a vote.  It seems to me that officials who accepted campaign contributions from Legends owner Haythem Dawlett and CEO Bill Hayes should recuse themselves from any vote, but that hasn’t happened so far….

Back to me….

Christmas and New Years were both quiet but lovely.  The cats and I are blessed.

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The deer are always less visible this time of year.  I took long walks through The Hills recently, and spotted some of their deer.

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Panda cub update: Little Xiao goes rock climbing—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9D-isZ7QdY

More animals!  Check out this Oregon zoo video.  It looks like an amazing facility, and the video is just TOO cute with lots of happy animal antics.  Otters and ice cubes, perfect combo! Top Moments Of Cuteness And Rascality At The Oregon Zoo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6kNKbLG28c

Recent articles I recommend….

As COVID-19 vaccine distribution starts, here are key facts about Pfizer, Moderna shots  12/17/20 https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/as-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-starts-here-are-key-facts-about-pfizer-moderna-shots/ar-BB1bZ8Ch

Answers to Your Questions About the 2 New Covid Vaccines in the U.S.  12/14/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/14/well/live/covid-vaccine-questions.html

When Can We Start Making Plans?  12/16/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/16/well/live/life-after-covid.html

What You Need to Know About Getting Tested for Coronavirus  12/9/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/09/well/live/covid-coronavirus-testing.html

Here’s Why Vaccinated People Still Need to Wear a Mask 12/8/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/health/covid-vaccine-mask.html

The Swiss Cheese Model of Pandemic Defense  12/5/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/05/health/coronavirus-swiss-cheese-infection-mackay.html

The Election

Biden STILL won the popular election, defeating Trump by more than 7 million votes.  Biden STILL won the Electoral College, 306 to 232.  Trump is STILL a loser–and a really, really, really bad one at that.

ALL of Trump’s nutso lawsuits have failed miserably, and he or his minions filed over 50 of them.  The Kraken one, the Ghost of Hugo Chavez one, the several suits filed in the wrong courts, the ones where conservative judges that Trump himself appointed delivered scathing rebukes to him, even the one where Texas whined that other states voted wrong—they all failed, just like Trump failed to win re-election in November.  Trump’s attempts to intimidate and/or bribe officials into changing their state election result also came up short.  Thank goodness our judges, just like our state and local campaign officials, have the sense, decency, and moral fiber to do their jobs, without being swayed by partisan affiliation OR political pressure.  Special kudos to the Supreme Court, which quickly and unanimously shut down both cases that came before it, finding NO EVIDENCE OF VOTER FRAUD.

On Dec. 14, the Electoral College functioned flawlessly, with electors from every state certifying the vote as cast in November.  The Biden-Harris victory was affirmed.

Let’s hope we make it to January 20.

The Coronavirus

Since my last blog, TWO vaccines have been approved for emergency use.  Truly, it is a Christmas miracle.  The Pfizer vaccine shipped to hospitals across the country last week, and vaccine administration began.  This coming week, the Moderna vaccine should go the same route.  (Both vaccines are based on new MessengerRNA technology and require 2 shots, 3-4 weeks apart, for full protection.)  All states are prioritizing front-line medical workers and long-term care facility residents and staff.  Since small amounts of vaccine doses are available now, it will take time to get those initial groups covered.  Then, essential workers will be next in line; this is a very large and varied group, and states will have differing guidelines as to priority.  Experts say that vaccinating this group will take months, so the rest of us likely won’t be able to get a shot before next summer.

As far as I’m concerned, just the prospect of protection via vaccination makes staying home and taking all precautions well worth it.  Any downside is temporary, and the important thing is staying healthy and alive until becoming eligible for a vaccine.

Sadly, MANY Texans and MANY Americans will not live long enough to get vaccinated.  In tragic counterpoint to the giddy news on the vaccine front, we are experiencing the worst surge to date.  It is exactly what experts warned would happen, when people refused to wear masks in the fall and gathered for Thanksgiving celebrations. 

Last week, America had over 1 million new confirmed cases in just 5 days.  We are up to 17 million known cases, and experts forecast a quarter million new cases daily as the new norm.  Some states are particularly hard hit, but the entire country is compromised. 

Hospitalizations are soaring nationwide.  Over 114,000 people are in our hospitals, many of them out of space and short on staff.   The result is “rationed care” which means some people—Covid patients and other sick and injured just in the wrong place at an impossible time—lose out.  There is still no cure, and celebrity-touted experimental treatments like monoclonal antibodies are in very short supply and work best when used early in the infection.  Mostly, Covid patients just get supportive care–supplemental oxygen, steroids such as dexamethasone, and proning (which is just physically turning them periodically to lie on their stomachs to ease breathing).   A ventilator is the last resort.

Deaths are incomprehensible.  We blew past the 300,000 mark last week.  (That is the same as the entire population of Pittsburgh.)  With the daily death rate habitually over 3,000 now, we are likely to lose another 100,000 Americans in just one month.

Texas is edging up to the same terrible numbers we had last summer, as far as cases (well over 10,000 new cases per day now), hospitalizations (nearly 10,000 patients) and deaths (over 25,000—the 2^nd highest state total, after California, with 200-300 more dying every day).  Gov. Abbott refuses to do anything and has prohibited local action. 

Vaccines won’t curb infections for MONTHS.  Supply is limited, and the process is far from quick and easy.  America has over 330 million people, and a lot of them aren’t yet confident about taking a vaccine. 

The best advice I have seen is to consider the miracle vaccines a welcome light at the end of the tunnel, but understand THE TUNNEL IS VERY LONG AND VERY DARK.  AND, THERE BE DRAGONS…. We still have a scary trip ahead before reaching sunny shores, and we want to get there along with all our friends and family members.  The only protection is the same as it has been since the start of the pandemic—wear a mask, social distance, wash hands, don’t gather indoors, avoid travel, and stay home whenever possible.  Doing all that EVEN DURING THE HOLIDAYS is hard but makes it more likely that you AND your loved ones will be alive to celebrate together normally NEXT YEAR.

And, on a festive note, rest assured that–thanks to Dr. Fauci–Santa got vaccinated and can safely go on his appointed rounds Dec. 24.  As Dr. Fauci recently assured the children of the world: “I took care of that for you because I was worried that you’d all be upset. So what I did a little while ago, I took a trip up there to the North Pole. I went there and I vaccinated Santa Claus myself. I measured his level of immunity, and he is good to go. He can come down the chimney. He can leave the presents, he can move on, and you have nothing to worry about. Santa Claus is good to go.”  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/19/anthony-fauci-vaccinate-santa-claus-coronavirus

Maybe next year this time, thanks to our men and women of science, we will ALL be good to go.

In Lakeway

Mayor Cox, in her Dec. 17 Facebook talk, stated that Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Lakeway is one of the hospitals getting the Pfizer vaccine, with the first shipment slated to arrive Dec. 18.  Of course, for now, approved recipients are medical personnel and care facility residents.  But, it is nice to know that our local hospital will be a vaccine site.  She also said that with Texas and Travis County cases AND hospitalizations shooting sharply upward now, it is critical to avoid gatherings, wear masks, etc.  But, she then segued to city meetings and announced returning to in-person meetings for “life style” committees starting in January, which makes no sense at all.

Council at its Dec. 7 meeting considered spending $125,000 to restore the historic Liebelt Cabin.  (See my previous blog for background.)  During discussion, it came out that 1) the city applied for a $20,000 LCRA grant but failed to get it; 2) it may apply for another grant, but it is only for $10,000;  3) additional known possible grant sources are dried up for 2021 and 2022, due to the pandemic; 4) the usual bidding process was NOT followed for this project; 5) the structure is leaking through the walls even worse than through the roof; and 6) even if $125,000 is spent, there is no guarantee the cabin can be saved.  Questions on why preventive measures were not taken before the emergency stage was reached were not answered.  It became clear the cabin is a vanity project for certain people.  In the end, Council unanimously authorized spending $14,000 (already budgeted for the cabin) to slow temporarily the deterioration and look into options to resolve the problem.

I walked by City Hall on Dec. 18 and was surprised the structure still had not even been protected with a tarp, particularly as there was heavy rain on the way. Here is a current photo:

Council meets again on Dec. 21, 6:30pm.  This will be an IN-PERSON meeting at City Hall, despite the current record-breaking COVID surge. The Agenda includes:

–Appointing Erin Carr as Director of Building and Development Services.  She has served as Interim Director since Charlotte Hodges left the Director’s job abruptly last spring.

–As to Serene Hills, considering 1) allowing payment of $128,000 to the City in lieu of the parkland improvements in the original plan; 2) accepting 8 acres of parkland; and 3) approving a Final Plat.

–Reviewing the proposed new and improved Rough Hollow Development Agreement.  Key points to consider are the degree to which water quality and existing trees are protected, what the city gets instead of the shore access park and the sports park required in the original agreement but never provided by the developer, and what Legends gets in return for any concessions it makes (starting with more condos and a storage facility).  The draft agreement is in the Meeting Packet (link below). 

–Going through the motions of a re-do on amending the PUD ordinance for The Oakes to require developer Stratus to begin construction of Main Street’s middle segment by March 15, 2021 and complete it by March 15, 2023.  This is needed due to a public notice error when they did this at the November meeting.

–Reviewing a proposed general overhaul of the city’s PUD ordinance.

So, there is still no disclosure of the results of the 2020 deer count, performed in late October.

The Meeting Packet PDF, including the proposed new Rough Hollow PUD Agreement for public review, is available here—https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

To send comments to Council beforehand and/or request to speak in person at the meeting, go here and create a Public Comment Form–https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

Go here to watch this Council meeting online (live or after the fact)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Back to me….

Ho, Ho, Ho!  My decorating is done, along with packages wrapped and shipped.  Yikes, EVERYTHING is just harder and more fraught this year.

I got my second Shingrix vaccine recently.  Since I had a very mild reaction to the first shot, I was surprised by how yucky I felt for a couple days after the second shot.  Still, it beats getting Shingles, and I am glad to get that wrapped up before all efforts turned to the Covid vaccinations.

December is one long birthday bash for my 3 cats.  Peanut had her birthday early this month.  Tulip turned 10, and Maxie hit 14 since my last post.  Other houses smell Christmasy this time of year; mine smells like catnip.

The deer are definitely suited up in their winter coats now.

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Panda cub updates:

–Pandas bark.  Who knew? https://wtop.com/animals-pets/2020/12/video-national-zoos-baby-panda-lets-out-a-feisty-bark/

–Thank you, Santa!  The Smithsonian National Zoo’s three giant pandas will stay in Washington, DC for another three years, upholding a decades-long tradition.  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/08/trump-fails-to-disrupt-panda-diplomacy-as-chinas-famed-bears-remain-at-us-zoo?utm_term=0d936a9e167b557fe1ef635655280b7e&utm_campaign=USMorningBriefing&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=usbriefing_email

Merry Christmas!

Recent articles I recommend….

—A Day In The Life Of Dr. Anthony Fauci  12/3/20 https://www.huffpost.com/entry/anthony-fauci-fighting-covid-19_n_5fc7fed7c5b61bea2b14e3ee

–‘It’s a good idea’: Fauci praises Biden’s 100-day mask plan. Fauci also confirmed that he accepted Biden’s offer to become the president-elect’s chief medical adviser 12/4/20 https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/04/fauci-praises-biden-mask-plan-442799

—Are Your Choices Making the Pandemic Worse?  11/25/20 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/11/25/coronavirus-covid-increase-risky-decisions-pandemic-440522

—Pandemic-Proof Your Habits  11/28/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/28/sunday-review/pandemic-habits-routine-brain.html

—The Long Darkness Before Dawn 11/30/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/30/health/coronavirus-vaccines-treatments.html

—How 700 Epidemiologists Are Living Now, and What They Think Is Next  12/4/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/04/upshot/epidemiologists-virus-survey-.html

—The vaccine miracle: how scientists waged the battle against Covid-19  12/6/20 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/06/the-vaccine-miracle-how-scientists-waged-the-battle-against-covid-19

The Election

As was inevitable, the victory of Biden-Harris has verified by recounts, certified by officials, and acknowledged by all but Trump and his most desperate lackeys.  Official transition of administrations is progressing, and most prominent appointments for the incoming group were announced.  Despite an inauguration downplayed due to the pandemic, January 20 will be a stellar day marking a second chance for America to defeat Covid, recover international standing, and return to normalcy.

The Coronavirus

Last spring, April was the big bad month, when America had the most Covid cases.  Then, October came along, with even more cases—1.9 million.  And then, we more than doubled that in November, with over 4 million cases.  Now, over 200,000 new cases PER DAY has become the norm.  December is, tragically, on pace to blow November out of the water….

The best advice I have heard is this: Assume everyone you meet has Covid, so always wear a mask and social distance.  And, if you traveled or gathered recently, assume YOU have Covid, so get tested and isolate.

With more cases, hospitalizations in America from the virus topped 100,000 last week, more than double the number at the beginning of November. After many months of dealing with COVID-19, medical personnel are decimated.  Many died, and more are sick; the rest are exhausted, discouraged and overwhelmed.  And, with the entire country surging now, there is no place to call for help. The result is that, in more and more hospitals all over the country, there are not enough doctors, nurses, and respiratory specialists to keep patients alive.

Last week, the US on Dec. 2 recorded its highest daily death toll–2,760–since the pandemic began.  There are 1,440 minutes in the day.  So, in recent days, 1 person–and usually 2 people–died of Covid EVERY SINGLE MINUTE. 

As terrible as the recent numbers are, experts say things will only get worse, as the delayed effects of Thanksgiving travel are felt, compounded by cold weather pushing people indoors, Christmas shopping/travel/gatherings, and continued politicization of masks. Vaccines are coming, but their benefit won’t be felt for several months. The Biden administration cannot start to turn around America’s pathetic pandemic response until Jan. 20. 

Unlike last spring, when we had summer weather coming to open up safer outdoor activities, plus state and local authorities wising up to enact restrictions, there is nothing on the horizon to save us from a nightmare winter. If all goes well with the new administration rolling out vaccines over the next several months, things should improve by next summer, but only for those left alive and well.

In Lakeway

Council has an online meeting on Monday, Dec. 7, at 6:30pm.  Agenda items include Liebelt Cabin’s $125,000 renovation project, updates on Wildfire Mitigation Plan/Hamilton Greenbelt Wildfire Fuels Reduction Project (plans and costs for 2021), a request for a new pool at World of Tennis, appointment of Laurie Higginbotham, Steve Smith and Louis Mastrangelo to the new Police Policies and Procedures Review Committee, creating the new Legislative Committee and appointing Laurie Higginbotham and Sandy Cox to it, and setting the 2021 Council meeting dates.  Then, there are 4 closed door executive sessions on legal issues re: Project Granite, The Oaks PUD/Stratus/Main Street extension, Cherry Knoll litigation/development, and storm water drainage at 601 Dragon.  In this largely administration session, one of these items sticks out like a ramshackle sore thumb….

Should City of Lakeway spend $125,000 to restore Liebelt Cabin?  This Civil War-era structure was moved to City Hall grounds from its original site in 2011, when The Oaks was developed.  Now, Phase 1 work is estimated at $60K, and Phase 2 work is estimated at $65K, all to be completed by spring/summer of 2021.  Details are in the Meeting Packet, which can be viewed here (scroll down to City Council Meeting Packets and click on Dec. 7 for the PDF). https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

I am shocked that this kind of expense is even being considered now.  Just recently, officials were threatening us with a property tax increase to pay for supposed necessities.  Renovation of this structure is definitely NOT a necessity.  People and businesses in Lakeway are hurting, and while we hope things will improve soon, this is NOT to time to spend $125K of public funds on the cabin.  (I’m not sure there is EVER a time for that kind of expenditure.) If this structure is an historic gem, then my suggestion is donating it to The Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin.  They likely have the funds needed to restore and preserve it.  In addition, it could be viewed by everyone visiting the museum, as opposed to the few people stumbling on it here in Lakeway.  If the cabin cannot be given away, then all costs associated with it should be paid for with donations and NOT with taxpayer funds.

Anyone with strong views on this issue should contact Council and the mayor BEFORE the Monday meeting, since it looks like a vote to approve the expenditure will be taken then.  Email them from this page– https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/100/Mayor-City-Council or submit a public comment request (see below) to phone in and speak during the meeting.

By the way, what is NOT being handled at this meeting includes:

–Disclosure of the results of the 2020 deer count, performed in late October.

–Terms of the proposed new agreement governing Legends in Rough Hollow, as that development winds down the build begun in 1997.

Maybe next time….

The Dec. 7 meeting will be held online, starting at 6:30pm.   If you wish to speak on any item, submit a public comment form on the city website before 3:00 pm Monday, December 7, 2020. Complete the form here– https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

As always, you can view the meeting live or after the fact here—https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Meeting-Videos—Council-ZAPCO

Back to me….

My Thanksgiving was lovely.  I did exactly what I wanted to do—took a long hike and then nested happily at home with cuddly cats, my favorite cinnamon roll and a pot of coffee, and an excellent figure skating competition to watch on TV.

I finally got all the fall household cleaning done!  With cold weather finally here, I also winterized the exterior and shut down the sprinklers.  More rain, please.

December is birthday palooza at my house, with all 3 cats having milestone events this month.  Peanut turned 8 last week, while Tulip hits 10 next week, and Maxie marks 14 shortly before Christmas.  The house will be awash in catnip all month….

As for the deer, well, it was a parade of bucks recently.  They all seem very proud of themselves, and a bit tired….

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Panda cub updates: Cubbie got a real name and started walking!

—Meet Xiao Qi Ji, the Smithsonian National Zoo’s star panda cub  11/28/20 https://www.cbsnews.com/video/meet-xiao-qi-ji-the-smithsonian-national-zoos-star-panda-cub/#x

–Look out world! DC’s giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji (Little Miracle) is on the move 12/5/20 https://wtop.com/gallery/animals-pets/look-out-world-dcs-giant-panda-cub-xiao-qi-ji-is-on-the-move/

Recent articles I recommend….

Dr. Fauci has been busy trying to help us cope with Covid:

— Dr. Fauci Sees ‘Terribly Painful Months’ Ahead  11/20/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/20/us/coronavirus-today.html

— When Will We Throw Our Masks Away? I Asked Dr. Fauci 11/19/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/opinion/anthony-fauci-covid-interview.html

— Fauci: Vaccines are an incentive to ‘double down’ on precautions 11/22/20 https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/22/fauci-vaccines-public-health-measures-439229

Still not sure how to handle Thanksgiving this year? Here is how one person resolved the issue.  I Traced my COVID Bubble, and It Is Enormous 11/20/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/20/opinion/covid-bubble-thanksgiving-family.html

As the following article says—“In less than 10 months, Covid-19 has killed more people than strokes, suicides and car crashes typically do in a full year — combined.”  It goes on to give a terrible context to a quarter million Americans dead of Covid, compared to other leading causes of death.  Covid has killed 250,000 people in the US: Comparing this to other leading causes of death 11/18/20 https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/18/health/covid-19-deaths-us-250k-trnd/index.html

Vermont is not the same as Texas or California or Montana, but Vermont DID have a lot of Covid challenges and met them in creative and effective ways that any part of the country could learn from, as this article shows. Social distancing is a luxury many can’t afford. Vermont actually did something about it  11/19/20 https://www.vox.com/2020/11/19/21541810/vermont-covid-19-coronavirus-social-distancing

Nova Scotia, Canada is vastly different from most areas of the US, but—again—its Covid successes can teach us things. I Am Living in a Covid-Free World Just a Few Hundred Miles From Manhattan  11/18/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/18/opinion/covid-halifax-nova-scotia-canada.html

The new presidential administration is already working on a Covid plan:

–The Biden-Harris plan to beat COVID-19 https://buildbackbetter.com/priorities/covid-19/

—Biden-Harris Transition Announces COVID-19 Advisory Board  https://buildbackbetter.com/press-releases/biden-harris-transition-announces-covid-19-advisory-board/

In the World

While tending to their own COVID surges, most other countries are staring agape at America’s outrageous election theatrics, as our democracy quite possibly circles the drain.  At least we are providing cheap entertainment….

In the US

Starting with something vastly positive—America is back in space!  Last week’s successful SpaceX-NASA launch was the first official crewed mission launched from American soil since the shuttle era.  It also used the first ever NASA-certified commercial human spacecraft system.  (The launch of 2 astronauts in April was a test mission, not a working mission.)  On Nov. 15, four astronauts flew a Dragon spacecraft called Resilience, on a Falcon 9 rocket, to dock with the International Space Station.  The nighttime launch was dazzling, and the Falcon rocket returned home, to be reused. Previously, since shuttle Atlantis last flew in 2011, American astronauts had to hitch rides to the ISS on Russian spacecraft.

Sorry, that is it, as far as lauding American excellence, as we now come to our continuing twin crises—the election and Covid, both of which got that way due to the sheer ignorance of a very large segment of our population.

The election

Joe Biden STILL won the election, and he and Kamala Harris will be sworn into office Jan. 20.  Until then, apparently, we are required to go through fresh hell every day, thanks to the Trump administration’s pathetic grasping at any strategy, no matter how insane, to throw out votes and hold onto power.  At this point, dozens of his court cases have failed, with judges noting the complete lack of evidence, shocking over-reach, and blatant disregard for democracy.  This article shows just how ridiculous Trump’s lawsuits are–Trump loses lawsuit that sought to block Pennsylvania win for Biden 11/21/20  https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/21/trump-loses-l.html Trump has moved on to inviting state legislators in swing states to come in for White House confabs, which seem to run the gamut from bribery to intimidation.  He is using much the same tactics on governors, local election officials, and anyone else in a position to help him deny reality and negate the election. 

Trump has also forbidden his administration’s employees to work with the incoming Biden administration, in violation of the rules and norms governing orderly transfer of power.  This includes the GSA implementing the transition process as a practical matter (communications clearance, office space, computer access, basic funding, etc.)—something that has been done as a matter of course after every previous presidential election in modern times.  Just after the election, Trump fired many people in key roles and appointed stooges in their place; speculation is that he plans to make sweeping changes in our war footing and foreign policy, as well as effect environmental outrages—things that cannot be easily undone come January.  With Biden and Harris still locked out of intelligence briefings, there are security concerns.  And, with Covid raging and vaccine administration preparations underway, that is a key area where delay in transition could well cost lives.

The coronavirus

Of course, the entire country is on fire with Covid now, due to non-existent or inadequate mitigation efforts in most states and the GOP’s politicization of masks, social distancing and common sense.  Rural areas, small towns, most cities—it is everywhere and spreading unchecked.  Every day sets records for new cases (nearly 200,000 per day), hospitalizations (over 83,000 people) and deaths (1,500-2,000 PER DAY and climbing).  It is impossible to grasp how bad things are, before they get even worse. 

Hospitals everywhere are overwhelmed, with medical workers pleading for people to take precautions.  Yet, airlines report adding flights to accommodate brisk ticket sales.  Thanksgiving is expected to be celebrated as usual by many if not most Americans—families traveling near and far to gather for meals, football and shopping the sales.  IN A PANDEMIC THAT HAS ALREADY KILLED OVER A QUARTER MILLION OF US AND IS RIGHT NOW RAGING ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

People blame “pandemic fatigue” and say we are tired of taking precautions.  Well, the pandemic doesn’t get tired.  And, if America as a whole had taken adequate precautions for long enough, we would all be in a better situation now, and maybe we could safely enjoy the holiday.  But, that didn’t happen, and now we pay the price, one way or the other.  EITHER, we hunker down and follow expert advice to control the spread of the disease, even at the expense of Thanksgiving traditions.  OR, we make ourselves and our loved ones sick, possibly killing people, just for a turkey dinner and the inevitable family squabble. 

The really crazy thing is that we do seem close to the end of this nightmare, with good vaccines likely available in a few months.  That is the BEST news possible!  But, if people get sick and die now, it will be too late for them, and for their families. We should be taking all possible precautions now, in order to BE AROUND for the vaccines and ALIVE AND HEALTHY at the end of the pandemic. Cancel Thanksgiving plans THIS year, so that NEXT year we aren’t looking at empty chairs around our tables and remembering the family members who died of Covid after the 2020 celebrations that we recklessly insisted on having.

Here is an article with ideas on having a virtual holiday celebration–How to Have a Fully Remote Family Thanksgiving 11/18/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/18/technology/personaltech/how-to-have-a-fully-remote-family-thanksgiving.html

And, for the rest of you, there is this article—Don’t travel for Thanksgiving, health experts say. But if you do, follow these tips 11/21/20 (As it points out, students coming home from college pose special risks.) https://www.statesman.com/news/20201121/donrsquot-travel-for-thanksgiving-health-experts-say-but-if-you-do-follow-these-tips

In Texas

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is again/still/always under a cloud of multiple corruption charges.  He refuses to resign, and Gov. Greg Abbott allows the stench to continue in his administration.  Editorial: Texas’ leaders should urge Paxton to step down 11/22/20 https://www.statesman.com/opinion/20201122/editorial-texasrsquo-leaders-should-urge-paxton-to-step-down

57 years ago, this was a very, very bad day in Texas.  On Nov. 22, 1963, our 35th President, John F. Kennedy, was shot and killed during a motorcade in Dallas.

In Lakeway

At its Nov. 9 meeting, ZAPCO considered revision of The Oaks PUD ordinance, requiring developer Stratus to begin building the Main Street 4 lane segment on its land by March 15, 2021 and complete the project by March 15, 2023.  Most of the Commissioners were miffed at not being privy to the legal issues discussed by Council and the city’s attorney in Executive Session at its Nov. 2 meeting.  In the end, ZAPCO unanimously agreed to this revision, sending it back to Council for action.

The Council meeting on Nov. 16 was in-person, despite the current COVID surge in the area.  Guess the Mayor and Council members were feeling lucky….  Council followed up on the Main Street issue by revising The Oaks PUD ordinance as planned, to require Stratus to begin building the 4 lane segment on its land by March 15, 2021 and complete the project by March 15, 2023.  Of course, that guarantees nothing as far as getting Main Street connected to Lohmans Crossing.  The Mayor mentioned during the meeting that Stratus has been unresponsive on this point for months; this will almost certainly end up in litigation, which will be expensive and will waste time getting the road completed prior to the 620 reconfiguration.  The city’s failure to get an agreement covering the road signed back in 2014 by Stratus is outrageous and hugely problematic.  There should be consequences to those who presided over this lapse.  Mayor at that time was Dave DeOme, soon-to-be Mayor Joe Bain was on Council then, and Steve Jones was City Manager.  Deputy City Manager Chessie Zimmerman was in charge of managing this PUD; she left the city’s employ in 2017, going to work for … Stratus.  Hmmm—coincidence? 

Council also got a summary of work done by a sub-committee that has reviewed the Rough Hollow PUD Agreement, signed in 1997 and amended 8 times since then.  The stated goal is to reach a new and simplified agreement as the project reaches completion in the next 4 years, and they have been negotiating with developer Legends for months now.  While details were not given, some current ordinances will come into play instead of 1997 ordinances, which has long been seen as ridiculously advantageous for Legends these decades later; however, the developer will get numerous concessions on this point in the form of variances (again—no details given).  Water quality protections are supposedly increased, along with preservation of more trees.  A sore point has been Legends failing to build the water access park and sports field the original agreement required; it sounds like those will never happen, but concessions include a scenic overlook, common areas, trails, open space and parking.  Very lucrative goodies that Legends gets in the new agreement include 3 more years to complete the build-out, an additional section for development with large lots (and big sales prices), 40 additional condos, and ability to build a climate-controlled storage unit (for luxury cars and wine storage).  The mayor indicated that Council would review the draft agreement, which will be discussed in detail at a future meeting; the agreement itself should be included in the Meeting Packet for that future meeting, and made available to the public that way.

In addition, Council canvassed the election results, with Propositions A, B, C, F and G passing as Charter revisions.  It also decided to create a subcommittee to review police department policies, supposedly as required periodically by the Charter.  Finally, Council approved sale of 7 acres of city land (located across from the Swim Center, off Trophy Drive) to Lakeway MUD, for $476,375 (as appraised).  The land will be used for reclaimed water storage, with a tank and elevated tower.

Go here to watch this Council meeting online—https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/107195

Back to me….

Who remembers G&G?  Followers of figure skating will never forget Sergei Grinkov and Ekaterina Gordeeva.  Decades after winning 2 Olympic gold medals, they are legendary, for their breath-taking pairs skating and for their tragic love story.

Skating colleagues remember Sergei Grinkov, 25 years after his death https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2020/11/20/sergei-grinkov-death-ekaterina-gordeeva/ Watch their 1994 Olympic gold-medal routine in Lillehammer (plus their exhibition performance) here– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmvGHYdCxTM

Today is the 1-year anniversary of my falling on a walk and breaking my wrist.  After a series of casts and splints, plus some physical therapy, it is back to about 75%, and I think that is as good as it will get.

At least 2 deer were fatally impaled on metal fences in Lakeway recently, as reported on social media.  Sadly, this happens frequently, as deer try to leap the spiked and open picket metal fences that are so popular in this area.  Right now, the deer are in rut, with the does running and the bucks chasing….  CAFA worked hard to get City of Lakeway to ban dangerous fences, and this was accomplished in 2018.  But, that only covered NEW fencing, and there are countless dangerous fences in place—in private yards, on business lots, enclosing The Hills, etc.  Here are examples of dangerous metal fences—

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There are several ways to make these fences safe.  I had Sierra Fence Company weld a rail across the top, making my open picket fence safe, back in 2018.  But, it is fairly easy to remove the protruding pickets or spikes yourself.  My fence page has a video of Lakeway resident Hamil Cooper doing exactly that. There are lots of before & after photos.  https://ninawriteorwronginlakeway.com/dangerous-fences/

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It is important to know that a toddler in nearby Georgetown was strangled to death on a 4′ tall open picket fence in 2018. https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/georgetown-mother-fights-for-safe-fences-after-sons-tragic-death

A teenager died after impaling his neck on a spiked fence around a Dallas pool in 2019.  Recently ,in San Antonio, a roof worker fell off the house and was impaled on the home-owner’s metal fence and very seriously injured. These fences are dangerous to people, as well as to wildlife.  If you have one of these on your property, please make it safe.

No one wants precious deer like these to die impaled on a fence.

Panda cub updates:

–Cubbie: When one door opens, another closes. 11/9/20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IymKJIZTio

–Cubbie: 3 Months Old!  11/21/20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naV1iON_WSo

Perspective is key….. 

Worldwide, 2 weeks ago, there were just over 50 million cases. The total will exceed 60 million in the next day or so.  Daily death counts now usually exceed 10,000.

In the US, cumulative cases passed 12 million on Nov. 19, after hitting 11 million just 6 days prior.  Daily new cases have been well over 100,000 the entire month of November; last week, daily new cases neared the 200,000 mark, which experts predict will be exceeded regularly after Thanksgiving.  Hospitalizations hit an all-time high of 61,964 people on Nov. 10; as of today, that has jumped to 83,870 Americans currently hospitalized for Covid.  Our death toll passed the quarter million mark on Nov. 13, with 1,000-2,000 more now dying daily.  Experts say roughly 1 in 100 Americans are now contagious.

In Texas, we have more confirmed cases than any other state, passing the 1 million mark for cumulative cases on Nov. 13.  Lately, new cases exceed 10,000 per day, often setting new records.  Loving County, Texas (population 169, near Odessa) was the last county in the entire country to register a Covid case, doing so on Nov. 17.  Hospitalizations are rising statewide; today the total is 8,245, up from 6,080 just 2 weeks ago.  The statewide positivity rate has increased from 10% to 12% in the last 2 weeks.   Coronavirus patients now make up more than 15% of the total hospital bed capacity in six regions of Texas (El Paso, Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland-Odessa, San Angelo and Laredo); this threshold triggers tighter restrictions. Regions including Dallas-Fort Worth, Tyler and Paris are expected to exceed the threshold next week.  Deaths are rising, as well.  Daily death counts have exceeded 100 since Nov. 10; totals have been as high as 230 (on Nov. 19). El Paso remains the area hardest hit, with hospitals overflowing and patients being air-lifted all over the state.  Morgues in El Paso are overwhelmed, even with a dozen refrigerator trucks temporarily housing excess bodies.  They lack personnel to handle the bodies, as well; area prisoners have been pressed to do the work, and the National Guard is helping out.

Travis County reported 306 new cases on Nov. 18 and 368 new cases on Nov. 20, the highest numbers of daily cases since the July surge.  Active cases were estimated at 2,216 for Travis County on Nov. 20. 

Recent articles I recommend….

Dr. Fauci has a lot to say, and we need to hear it all.  ‘A whole lot of hurt’: Fauci warns of covid-19 surge, offers blunt assessment of Trump’s response   11/1/20 https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fauci-covid-winter-forecast/2020/10/31/e3970eb0-1b8b-11eb-bb35-2dcfdab0a345_story.html

Don’t worry, Dr. Fauci is safe from Trump’s petty wrath.  As a career federal employee and esteemed director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984, he is protected by federal civil service regulations from being fired or demoted for political reasons.  Trump says he might fire Fauci. Technically, he can’t  11/2/20 https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/11/02/can-trump-fire-fauci/

A recent CDC study of 101 households with a confirmed COVID patient isolating at home showed that over half of the  people living with those patients went on to test positive within 5 days.  This short video has tips on reducing this risk.  What you can do to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to the people you live with 11/2/20 https://www.clickondetroit.com/health/good-health/2020/11/02/what-you-can-do-to-reduce-the-risk-of-spreading-covid-19-to-the-people-you-live-with/

Don’t be put off by the headline; this article is a fascinating examination of how the coronavirus shaped BOTH sides of the presidential campaign.  ‘This f—ing virus’: Inside Donald Trump’s 2020 undoing   11/7/20 https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/07/this-f-ing-virus-inside-donald-trumps-2020-undoing-434716

In the World

Last week was the 20th anniversary of the first expedition to the International Space Station, as a joint Russian/American team docked with the new station and brought it to life.  https://www.nasa.gov/feature/space-station-20th-expedition-1-arrives-at-the-international-space-station

Created, maintained and expanded by funding from many countries and the hard work of countless experts, this enduring monument to peaceful scientific excellence is a plus on humanity’s balance sheet.  On a clear night, look up and watch the ISS glide by; 250 miles above, it orbits every 90 minutes.  https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/home.cfm

In the US

Again, we have twin crises demanding attention: the election and the pandemic. 

ELECTION–Success!

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As for the election, Joe Biden won the presidency.  And, Kamala Harris will be the FIRST ever female vice-president.  What an enormous RELIEF.  Hearing the Saturday morning announcement  made it totally worth having been glued to MSNBC and Steve Kornacki’s awesome Big Board for all the days AND nights since Nov. 3. 

Biden-Harris overwhelmingly won the popular vote AND the electoral college vote to end the horror show we endured for 4 years.  Trump hasn’t conceded, but common decency is not in his nature; happily, there is no need, as a legal matter, for the loser to do anything.  If necessary, he will be forcibly removed in January, and (after extensive White House decontamination), the Biden family will move in, and the new administration will take charge.  The damage done in crucial areas like COVID mitigation, orderly staff hand-overs, seamless military policy, etc.–not to mention America’s world standing–will be considerable, but obviously Trump has no regard for such things.

The German magazine Der Spiegel captured the essence of America’s sea change, contrasting a past cover showing Trump beheading Lady Liberty with a 11/7/20 cover showing Biden replacing the head of Lady Liberty.  Der Spiegel Reprises Famous Trump Cover After Biden Win https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/der-spiegel-reprises-famous-trump-cover-after-biden-victory-1.9296379

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But, this COVID election highlighted the vastly differing voting laws across our 50 states.  Since the right to vote is basic to our democracy, voting standards and protections should be balanced across the country, not subject to inroads by state legislatures or governors, of either party.  ALL Americans should be able to:

— register to vote easily;

— vote by mail if desired;

–deliver ballots to secure and accessible drop-off boxes, as an option to mailing; and

–vote early in person if desired.

Not only would these options protect voting rights and promote participation in elections, they would result in TIMELY and accurate election results—which the 2020 election proved is NOT currently the case in many states. 

The states that struggled with delayed results did so because their legislatures failed to offer voting options.  Those states lacked early in-person voting, so voters had to choose between voting by mail or risking COVID infection at over-crowded voting locations on Election Day—resulting in an enormous number of mail-in ballots.  Texas, on the other hand EXTENDED its usual in-person early voting period from 12 days to 18 days; the result was people safely voting in record numbers AND officials being able to tabulate totals, including hefty but not overwhelming mail-in ballots, by midnight on Election Day.  Critically, the late-result states also refused to allow mail-in ballots to be processed before Nov. 3, even though officials knew early on that an avalanche of mail-in ballots was coming and begged their legislatures and governors for leeway to handle it.

Obviously, steps need to be taken to facilitate fast and reliable ballot handling by USPS, as opposed to the strategic disabling of the mail system than happened in 2020.  

CORONAVIRUS–continued grim failure….

Last week, America reported new cases in record numbers—well over half a million cases in less than a calendar week—surpassing peaks from last spring and summer.  Over 57,000 Americans are now hospitalized with COVID, very close to record highs in the past.  The death toll is also near record levels, with well over 1,000 Americans now dying every day. 

Also last week, Trump‘s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and several other West Wing staffers were newly diagnosed with COVID, in the fourth (disclosed) White House outbreak since last summer.

President-Elect Biden has already declared COVID mitigation to be a priority.  Details on his plans are to be announced as early as Nov. 9.

In Texas

We had HUGE voter participation for this election.  And, over half of the registered voters in Texas voted early.  (735,000 more Texans voted EARLY this year than voted in the ENTIRE 2016 presidential election, including on Election Day.)  In the end, 66% of the 17 million registered Texas voters cast ballots in the 2020 general election.  Texas failed to turn blue this year, but maybe next time….

In Lakeway

We only had propositions on the ballot this time, no elections.  Of the 7 proposed Charter changes, 5 passed and 2 failed (D and E). 

The FAILED proposals concern the City Manager and volunteer treasurer.  Our City Manager will continue to be required to live in Lakeway (which reduces the candidate pool and increases the salary to be paid).  There will continue to be a volunteer treasurer listed in the Charter; since this function has long been performed by paid Finance Dept. staff, I doubt anything will change as a practical matter. 

The PASSED proposals were:

–A: Our annexation process will follow state law.

–B: Our mayor and council members will serve 2 year terms.

–C: Successive terms of our officials will be limited to 3 terms (6 years straight, and up to 7 years straight in the case of a partial 1 year term).

–F: How we handle ballots when a candidate dies or withdraws will follow state law.

–G: How we issue bonds will follow state law.

Council, at its Nov. 2 online meeting, among other things, ­­:

–Hired an Assistant City Manager, Joseph Molis;

–Created a standing Economic Development Committee (9-15 members to be appointed by Mayor Cox), its meetings to be PRIVATE and NOT subject to the Open Meetings Act; and

–Instructed staff to investigate an annual “High Quality Event” for Lakeway to sponsor (to further the work of the Economic Development Committee and preparatory to hiring an Event Coordinator).

Go here to watch this Council meeting online—https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/89648

The next Council meeting is Nov. 16.  I’m guessing it will be in-person, but who knows….

Finally, I am told the 2020 deer count is underway.  This is a full month ahead of the timeline used for the last 3 annual counts, so comparisons will be problematic.  These previous counts indicated a slightly decreasing deer population in Lakeway, which was supported by the city’s own statistics on things like collisions, carcass pick-ups and resident complaints—all dwindling as well.  Hopefully, the results of the 2020 count will be released to the public before any Council action is taken.  Not only was Lakeway’s decades-long culling barbaric and inhumane, it was also unnecessary and failed to reduce the deer population long-term since Hill Country deer simply wandered inside city limits to take advantage of available resources and territory.  As a practical matter, past culling cost the city hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars; now, with the COVID economy reducing tax revenue, Lakeway has no funds to waste.  By the way, the Wildlife Advisory Committee last met in February and seems to have been disbanded, although it is still listed on the city site.  While other committees have met sporadically or not at all during the pandemic, their monthly meetings are still listed on the city calendar, then cancelled if nothing urgent comes up; WAC has not appeared on calendars since June.

Back to me….

Great quote: “What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.”  It is from a poem by the late Charles Bukowski, whose work seems unpalatable overall.  But, it feels like there is a lot of fire lately….

I recently fell in love with the old TV series Justified  (2010-2015), escaping ugly reality with something very different, watching all 6 seasons of stellar entertainment in record time.  Yet, that show’s distinctive theme song perfectly captures 2020 – “Long Hard Times to Come.”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9BEoG0e-L8  But, I’m hoping the recent election signifies a turn-around on that theme.

Otherwise, marathon election-watching was punctuated with fall cleaning and coping with some changes on my online job.

The deer are less visible, as they always are this time of year.  But, here are a few recent photos. Also, a cheeky squirrel….

Update on The National Zoo’s panda cub (he squeaks a lot in this one)–PandaStory: Nine Weeks Old https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/pandastory-nine-weeks-old?fbclid=IwAR0xqhpmqvm-Yj2HbEi_ylHlqg-H6I7CnXUrK1Nry4_FlgxdmPFtmwz1YFU

In this video, cubbie is sleepy and naps though his exam–PandaStory: 11 Weeks Old https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/pandastory-11-weeks-old

Perspective is key….. 

Worldwide, we passed 50 million Covid cases on November 7.

In the US, we passed 10 million Covid cases on November 6.

In Texas, there are now over 6,000 people hospitalized (with this number climbing steadily), the daily death rate recently has been well over 100 people, and the positivity rate now exceeds 10% (and is also climbing steadily).  El Paso remains the hardest-hit area, with makeshift hospitals and morgues, as well as military medical assistance; the city is also under a judicial shutdown order that has so far survived legal challenge by restaurant owners and by AG Paxton, acting on behalf of Gov. Abbott.  But, many other areas across the state are surging.

Recent articles I recommend….

–Helpful tips: 7 ways to stay healthy (and sane) during the fall coronavirus surge 10/17/20 https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/17/health/covid-fall-surge-ways-to-stay-healthy-wellness/index.html

–“Death certificates may record the coronavirus as the cause of death, but in a larger sense vast numbers of Americans died because their government was incompetent.”  America and the Virus: ‘A Colossal Failure of Leadership’ 10/22/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/opinion/sunday/coronavirus-united-states.html

–This article demonstrates that it isn’t lockdowns ruining the economy–it is the pandemic.  Failing to control COVID dooms our economy, as well as killing us in droves.  Iowa Never Locked Down. Its Economy Is Struggling Anyway. 10/22/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/business/economy/economy-coronavirus-lockdown-iowa.html

In the US

The news remains dominated by the election and the coronavirus.  At this point, the two incendiary issues are impossible to separate.

Regarding COVID, the nasty concept of herd immunity KEEPS popping up.  That is due to the White House not only advocating it now as an option but leaking clues this is nothing new.  For months, I have suspected this was the Trump administration default strategy.  It explains their do-nothing approach, as well as their interference with any state or local official who DOES try to stop COVID.  That is why they ignored medical experts and politicized masks/social distancing, and why Trump and others have insisted for MONTHS that it is going away, we are turning the corner, and there is no reason to be afraid. This, despite America having lost over 230,000 people–more deaths than any other country in the entire world.  Now, the White House is finally to the point of admitting this is policy.  No lockdowns, no closures, no testing, no contact tracing, no masks, no social distancing—just pretend all is well. 

For example, just today, several members of the vice-president’s immediate staff tested positive, but Pence will continue campaigning throughout the nation this coming week, rather than isolate per CDC guidelines for those exposed.  Truly, with all the rallies (with no masks or social distancing) in the very states currently surging with new cases and full hospitals, the Trump campaign is actively spreading COVID-19.  Cheap, easy, deeply stupid, with zero regard for human life—herd immunity has Trump written all over it.

This article sets out the White House endorsement of herd immunity, which seems to rest largely on the advice of Dr. Scott Atlas, the radiologist who Trump discovered on Fox News and ensconced on the Coronavrus Task Force in place of actual epidemiology experts Drs. Fauci and Birx.  White House embraces a declaration from scientists that opposes lockdowns and relies on ‘herd immunity.’ 10/13/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/13/world/white-house-embraces-a-declaration-from-scientists-that-opposes-lockdowns-and-relies-on-herd-immunity.html

Of course, medical experts worldwide—epidemiologists, immunologists, infectious disease specialists, virologists, and physicians in the trenches treating COVID patients—vociferously condemn herd immunity as reckless, futile, inhumane, based on a fallacy, and likely to result in MILLIONS of needlessly dead Americans. Why is that?

–Even people in low-risk groups can suffer serious damage to heart, lungs, or other organs.  Children are not invulnerable; some develop an inflammatory syndrome that can be fatal.  A growing group of survivors remain ill to some extent for many months.   We don’t begin to understand the long-term effects of even mild cases of this new disease.

–HOW are we supposed to protect the old and the vulnerable, with society fully open and no precautions taken generally?

–Herd immunity, in the history of the world and its myriad diseases, has NEVER been achieved without the benefit of a vaccine.  So, assuming how it would work with COVID-19 is just guesswork. 

–One ugly guess is how many people would need to get (and survive) COVID, before we approach herd immunity.  The usual estimate is 60-80% of the population.  To date, about 8% of Americans have been infected.  So, the goal is to do the last few months again and again—9 more times—and see what happens then?

–Another ugly guess is the death toll.  Most experts say millions of Americans would die, if this experiment proceeds.  Of course, minorities have been disproportionately hard-hit so far, and that would continue.

–The horrific process of trying to achieve herd immunity would max out our medical system–over-flowing hospitals, exhausting supplies of everything from PPE to steroids and other palliative drugs, and compromising medical personnel.  The result of that havoc would be excess deaths.  Remember when a stated goal of bending the curve was to avoid overwhelming hospitals, to minimize deaths?

–Herd immunity requires that those who recover get long-term immunity.  That is NOT the case with many viruses, such as regular flu and the common cold.  Although rare so far, re-infection IS being seen with COVID-19, even at this early stage.

But, don’t believe me.  Here are several articles, from a variety of respected sources, detailing the horrors of herd immunity.  Take your pick.

—Herd Immunity? Or ‘Mass Murder’? 10/19/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/19/opinion/coronavirus-herd-immunity.html

—We cannot rely on magical thinking: Herd immunity is not a plan 10/16/20 https://www.statnews.com/2020/10/16/we-cannot-rely-on-magical-thinking-herd-immunity-is-not-a-plan/?utm_content=buffer06023&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=facebook_organic&fbclid=IwAR31l3xA5N-OoU6ecnolpCvuNvY9WJo4Noo_WgmIoqJDFJdKj_PMSN90c58

—Fauci Attacks Herd Immunity Declaration Embraced By White House As ‘Total Nonsense’ 10/15/20 https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2020/10/15/fauci-attacks-herd-immunity-declaration-embraced-by-white-house-as-total-nonsense/#17d4791e458d

—THE JOHN SNOW MEMORANDUM: ongoing project originally published in The Lancet 10-14-22.  This is the rebuttal to The Great Barrington Declaration.  Here, in an ongoing collaboration, medical experts condemn the herd immunity strategy. https://www.johnsnowmemo.com/

—Scientific consensus on the COVID-19 pandemic: we need to act now: Any pandemic management strategy relying upon immunity from natural infections for COVID-19 is flawed 10/15/20 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32153-X/fulltext

—A Viral Theory Cited by Health Officials Draws Fire From Scientist 10/19/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/19/health/coronavirus-great-barrington.html

—Atlas, Paul Mislead on Preexisting COVID-19 ‘Immunity’ 10/13/20 https://www.factcheck.org/2020/10/atlas-paul-mislead-on-preexisting-covid-19-immunity/?fbclid=IwAR32inN1AdSL3M5x57ZCyUFPfUKY9JBe3WwKT_6HnlzGWZW_HZqNiXKaWU0

—Letting COVID-19 spread to achieve herd immunity is “unethical,” WHO chief says 10/13/20 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-19-herd-immunity-unethical-world-health-organization/

The ELECTION—coming soon….

The election is just over a week away.  Finally! The second and last debate curbed the worst impulses of our combative president (though he still lied like a rug), allowing Biden to set out clear policy on things like COVID response, foreign interference in our elections, immigration reform, and climate change.  Plans, goals, policy—sounds like someone knows how to govern.  Refreshing!

On a lighter note, here are 2 politically inspired but super-fun musical numbers.

Beauty and the Beast tunes up for the pandemic.  “Try not to be so grouchy, have some faith in Fauci, wear a mask, wear a mask, wear a mask!”  https://twitter.com/drericding/status/1317690911174905857?s=21&fbclid=IwAR3-ZxzgRmDMiszy1VosvoE_FC2K2V-WfIXFqTGFCHu_A8IdeKMT3tAHKMs

This lyrical take on Evita may be the BEST ad yet from The Lincoln Project.  Covita–“I broke my promise, won’t keep my distance…. Don’t cry for me, Secret Service….” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tZVnbDq9B4

In Texas

78% of eligible voters statewide are registered for the current election.  Amazingly, of the 850,000 eligible voters in Travis County, 97% are registered (breaking all records). 

A record turnout for voting is expected in Texas, possibly as high as 75-80% of eligible voters; 65% voted in 2016.

Already, over 7 million votes have been cast in Texas—more than in any other state.  With another week of early voting still to go, that amounts to 80% of the TOTAL votes cast in 2016 (including election day).  Whether standing in line to vote early or mailing in ballots, Texans are making a political statement.

In Lakeway

Early voting ends Oct. 30.  Our location is Lakeway Activity Center, next to City Hall on Cross Creek.  This site shows you the current wait time for any Travis County polling place.  https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/elections/wait-time-map.html

If you requested and received a mail-in ballot but prefer to vote in person, be sure to take your mail-in ballot.  A special clerk at the start of the voting process will have you sign a paper to cancel the mail-in ballot, and then you proceed to vote normally.

The election includes SEVEN propositions for Lakeway voters.  See my previous blog for details on these propositions.  (I voted YES on all of them, except for Proposition C.  That one would extend successive terms of service by local officials from the current 2 terms to 3 terms.  That is a change from 4 years to 6 years straight, and up to 7 years if someone served a partial term; that seems excessive.  I voted NO on Prop C.)

If you are still looking to receive your mail-in ballot OR want to track the status of a ballot you already mailed back, go here— https://votetravis.com/vexpress/submit.do Scroll down to Voter LookUp near the bottom.  Add name and birth date (you can skip the unique identifier).  Select BBM Status (Ballot By Mail).  It will tell you the status of your ballot.  For info or help–Travis County Tax Office Voter Registration Division 512-854-9473.

Ballots can be mailed in (with voters urged to do so as early as possible) or dropped off at approved sites; there is ONLY 1 approved site per county.  The Travis County site is out by the airport.  (Voters must drop off completed ballots IN PERSON and show ID.  Voters in Texas CANNOT drop off mail-in ballots at polling places.) 

Council, at its Oct. 19 in-person meeting, accepted the initial report from its Economic Advisory Committee.  Suggestions included making Lakeway friendlier to business, creating an annual signature event, and taking advantage of the coming 620 reno to “reshape the corridor.”  All this is to be managed by a new standing Economic Development Committee.  Details were sparse.  Among other things, Council also 1) adopted the Thoroughfare Plan discussed previously;  2) awarded $50,000 in HOT funds to the second annual Lake Travis Film Festival; and 3) directed the City Manager to create Lakeway’s Coronovirus Relief Program and sign the Interlocal Agreement to accept CARES Act funds for it from Travis County.  Go here to watch this Council meeting online— https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/87344

The next Council meeting is billed as a Work Session, on Nov. 2.  Online only or in-person?  Who knows….

Finally, Mayor Cox, in her Oct. 22 Facebook Live talk, stated the western segment of the Main Street extension will break ground in 2021.  This is the Legends segment branching off Lohmans opposite The Hills entrance.  Unfortunately, the missing center segment (behind HEB and on land still owned by Stratus) is very problematic.  It was announced at a recent Council meeting that Stratus never signed the agreement to build this segment of road, so all the city can do is try to leverage cooperation via the PUD, which has not worked so far.  Likely, a lawsuit will be required.  As the mayor mentioned, it would be disastrous if Main Street is not completed by the time 620 is shut down for widening and long-term restructuring, which could happen as early as 2022.  In addition, she teased a coming re-statement of the Rough Hollow development agreement.

Back to me….

I voted mid-morning the first Thursday of early voting and only had a short wait.  VERY happy to get that done!

Maxie got a good report on her blood work, so all is well.

My back yard, even though tiny, has vexed me since moving into St. Andrews in 2018, and I finally gave up on handling it myself.  Weeds, dirt, bugs, snakes—ugh, no thanks.  A wonderful yard service spent an afternoon hacking back the overgrowth and then a full day re-doing the tattered ground covering and replacing the variegated mulch and pebbles with lovely slate gravel.  Now, instead of cursing every time I look out there, I grin.

Our deer continue to post for close-ups, but a couple squirrels nearly upstaged them.

Here are a two new baby panda video updates.  What a chunky cutie!

—The Baby Panda Is Now Crawling and Barking and Packing on the Pounds 10/15/20 https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/10/15/the-baby-panda-is-now-crawling-and-barking-and-eating-fruitsicles/?fbclid=IwAR01H_DPBBTzjqJPhr79ugoL-4S29bVnsBcZJth4WSj4MtC4OILz6cnWMFQ

—The National Zoo’s Baby Panda Is Two Months Old and Cuter Than Ever  10/23/20 https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/10/23/baby-panda-national-zoo-is-two-months-old/

Perspective is key….. 

Worldwide, many countries are preoccupied with COVID flare-ups, but at least America provided comic relief with shockingly poor handling of the pandemic while running the least democratic election in the history of our supposed democracy.

In the US, another COVID surge is the worst October surprise of all.  We exceeded 8 million cases on Oct. 12.  The total will go over 9 million any day now.

In October, the rise in cases was steady, and then it spiked last week. The U.S. topped 65,000 new cases on Thursday, Oct. 22.  This was the highest tally since the July peak.   It was immediately followed by over 85,000 new cases on Oct. 23.  In the spring, heavy cases were concentrated in the northeast.  Summer infections raged in the south and west.  Now, the outbreaks are scattered in pockets across the country, often in rural areas with limited medical resources.

Hospitalizations rose 40% in October.  So far, over 500,000 Americans have been hospitalized.  Those who survive face heavy medical bills; even if they have insurance, many are seeing surprise big-ticket billing items.

Death counts are flat so far, but this lagging indicator is sure to rise soon.

In Texas, last week’s new daily cases were nearly as high as back in August.  Hospitalizations continue to climb.  As of Oct. 23, over 5,000 Texans were hospitalized, up from 3,600 on Oct. 11.

Hot spots include Dallas, El Paso, Amarillo and Lubbock.  Austin and Travis County show numbers among the lowest in the state, so far.

Recent articles I recommend….

Need to know the difference between Covid-19, cold and flu symptoms?  Here’s a handy chart.  (Convert the temperature reading to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.)  Coronavirus symptoms: how to tell if you have a common cold, flu or Covid 10/5/20 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/05/coronavirus-symptoms-how-to-tell-if-you-have-a-common-cold-flu-or-covid

Good info on masks: What We Know So Far About Masks and Coronavirus  10/6/20 https://blogs.webmd.com/webmd-doctors/20201006/mask-coronavirus-what-we-know?fbclid=IwAR2_m88y-aRGnMuNGnvGD6v6SfFVBrfwn-oZZ5Wasdz-Hg_NnkvASTStyRI

Dr. Fauci has an update: Fauci: ‘We had a superspreader event in the White House’  10/9/20 https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/520409-fauci-we-had-a-superspreader-event-in-the-white-house

In the US

Crazy times as the election looms….

First, we suffered through a presidential debate with one participant acting like a cross between a spoiled toddler and a rabid hyena.  Debate procedure rules, agreed to by both sides, were ignored by Trump.  Later, it was disclosed that the entire White House contingent arrived at the debate location too late to be tested on-site for COVID-19—as both sides had agreed—yet, the debate proceeded.  And, it surprised no one that the Trump staff and family attending the debate did so WITHOUT MASKS—even though both sides agreed masks would be worn by the audience. 

Then, the First Couple and what seems like most of the government contingent in Washington, DC, contracted COVID-19.  White House staff, Trump campaign staff, even Pentagon officials tested positive and/or had to isolate due to exposure.  Guess America hasn’t turned the corner after all….  And, there is a very obvious reason for that.

If, as many have said, refusing to wear a mask now is like driving while drunk, then the Trump administration amounts to an inbred clan of unapologetic substance abusers who very predictably caused a multi-vehicle pile-up of epic proportions.  Not only were many reckless “drivers” injured, but so were countless others who just happened to be in the vicinity.  But, here is where the drink driving metaphor fails: each of THOSE infected people exposed THEIR contacts to the infection, and on and on.  (This is especially true, since little contact tracing has been attempted; with the White House refusing to release vital info like Trump’s last negative test date, it is impossible to know who is at risk.)  Plus, countless medical personnel attending the ill were put at risk.  All this happened due to the Trump administration’s long-running, blatant, and reckless refusal to follow the simple advice of medical experts—wear masks, social distance, and avoid mass gatherings. 

America has a super-spreader president. He puts us all – and himself – at risk https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/05/trump-republicans-coronavirus-super-spreader-risk?utm_term=e626a9dc20bb4d7b2337f442a9ffa980&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUS&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=GTUS_email

From the pathological to the sublime…. Also in Washington DC , this tribute on The Elipse features 20,000 empty chairs.  As overwhelming as this image is, remember—each chair represents TEN dead Americans.  And counting….

America now has over 219,000 dead.  The pandemic is raging out of control in many states including Wisconsin (where hospitals are overwhelmed), Utah, Montana, Wyoming and other western states. 

I am proud to support Joe Biden and look forward to his capable guidance in defeating COVID-19 and in healing our divided nation.  

In Texas 

Ballots are now in the process of being mailed to Texans who requested to vote by mail.  Here is how to check on your ballot.  Go here—https://votetravis.com/vexpress/submit.do  Scroll down to Voter LookUp near the bottom.  Add name and birth date (you can skip the unique identifier).  Select BBM Status (Ballot By Mail).  It will tell you the status of your ballot.  For info or help–Travis County Tax Office Voter Registration Division 512-854-9473 tax_voters@traviscountytx.gov www.traviscountytax.org

Ballots can be mailed in (with voters urged to do so as early as possible) or dropped off at approved sites.  (Voters must drop off completed ballots IN PERSON and SHOW ID.  Voters in Texas CANNOT drop off mail-in ballots at polling places.) 

Gov. Abbott did his best to limit voting in Texas during a pandemic by reducing ballot drop off locations to 1 per county, with an October 1 order.  While arguably workable for rural counties with small populations, a single drop-off location is ludicrous in urban areas, including Houston’s Harris County which has nearly 5 million people spread across 2000 square miles. Gov. Greg Abbott limits counties to one absentee ballot drop-off location, bolstering GOP efforts to restrict voting https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/01/greg-abbott-texas-vote-mail/

Last week, a federal district court struck down this order, as violating the voting rights of elderly and disabled Texans likely wanting to vote by mail and hand-deliver ballots to be sure they are counted.  Of course, Gov. Abbott and his felonious AG Ken Paxton have appealed.  As of now, an appeals court has placed a hold on multiple ballot drop-offs, pending review.  This will likely go at least to the Texas Supreme Court.  Abbott’s limit on drop-off locations stands, for now  https://www.statesman.com/news/20201009/abbottrsquos-order-limiting-ballot-drop-off-sites-stands-for-now

In a VERY related matter, the Trump campaign is suing to limit ball drop off options nationwide, with some successes and some failures.  Judge throws out Trump campaign’s Pennsylvania lawsuit https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-pennsylvania-lawsuits-15e9dfeede4ddee5086611f0dd7b63a0

Finally, be careful at the polls. Gov. Abbott’s mask order specifies that voters, poll workers and poll watchers are NOT required to wear masks.

In Lakeway

Council, at its Sept. 28 meeting, FINALLY adopted the 2021 budget and set the property tax rate.  After months of threatening a significant tax hike, the final vote was 7-0 for keeping the 2019 and 2020 rate of 16.45 cents per $100 valuation.  That means that, if your home is valued the same as last year, then the Lakeway share of your property tax bill will be the same as it was last year.  (Sorry—your tax bill as a WHOLE will go up, because the other taxing entities—Travis County, LTISD, your MUD, etc.—are increasing their tax rates.  Lakeway gets less than 10% of what we pay in property taxes.)

Sure, they got to the right result, but why did it take them so long?  Since June, everyone except Smith was totally dismissive about the Lakeway portion of our property tax bills “only” going up $50-$100 bucks to pay for all the shiny things they wanted.  Suddenly, those SAME people found it against their principles for homeowners to pay $1 or EVEN 1 CENT extra in taxes to Lakeway next year. The epiphanies just kept rolling in, from one council member to the next, until every last one of them had a Come to Jesus moment right there on camera.   Again—correct result, but one heck of a weird process.

Council also presented a report on the Planned Unit Development (PUD) for The Oakes (HEB and all the rest) with Stratus Properties.  Several discrepancies were disclosed, but the major one relates to the still-missing road connecting Main Street to Lohmans.  Absent that critical artery, in the FIVE years now gone by since the stores opened, we have gotten used to short-cutting through parking lots to avoid 620, but that isn’t optimal or safe.  Turns out, Stratus NEVER SIGNED THE AGREEMENT requiring them to build that road for the city; Stratus also NEVER POSTED A BOND guaranteeing they do this.  Interestingly, Lakeway Deputy City Manager Chessie Zimmerman was in charge of managing this PUD; she left the city’s employ in 2017, going to work for Stratus.  Conflict of interest, perhaps?  Also, Dave DeOme was Mayor of Lakeway 2009-2015, while the PUD was negotiated and HEB and the other stores were allowed to open without the road being built or the paperwork even being signed; residents unhappy about this may want to complain to him.  And—surprise!—Stratus has not responded to recent requests to remedy these issues.  Council voted Sept. 28 to press Stratus to move forward with the road.  This will end up in court.  Go here to watch this Council meeting online—https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Early voting for the November 3 election starts Oct. 13 and ends Oct. 30.  Our location is Lakeway Activity Center, next to City Hall on Cross Creek.  (You CANNOT early vote at Randalls as in past elections).

This site shows you the current wait time for any Travis County polling place.  https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/elections/wait-time-map.html

The election includes SEVEN propositions for Lakeway voters.  While no local officials are up for election, these are proposed changes to the City Charter, which is basically Lakeway’s Constitution.  Aside from the two items relating to the terms of our elected officials (Prop B and C), these are basically housekeeping measures.

I’m not going to waste time discussing the bizarrely named Save Lakeway campaign, except to say that I won’t be following the advice of five fuddy-duddies, who are backed by the felonious developer they sold Lakeway to decades ago.  I am voting YES for all EXCEPT Prop C, which gets a big NO.

Specifically:

Proposition A—This matches Lakeway’s annexation process to state law. I’m voting YES.

Proposition B–This brings the Charter into compliance with the state Constitution as far as our officials being elected for 2 year terms (as they always have been).  I’m voting YES.

Proposition C—This extends successive terms of service from the current 2 terms to 3 terms (from 4 years to 6 years straight, and up to 7 years if someone served a partial term). That seems excessive.  I’m voting NO.

Proposition D—This would change things, so that our City Manager no longer has to live within the Lakeway city limits.  That requirement limits the candidate pool and means we have to pay more in salary to offset Lakeway’s high home costs.  I’m voting YES.

Proposition E—This deletes the volunteer Treasurer, moving those duties to Finance Department staff (as currently exists).  I’m voting YES.

Proposition F—This defers to state law on how to handle ballots when a candidate dies or withdraws before the election.  I’m voting YES.

Proposition G—This defers to state law on issuing bonds.  Council (by super-majority of 5 out of seven votes) would be able to approve issuance of bonds.  I’m voting YES.

For more info, download a PDF from the City’s site, here– https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/427/Election-Information

Or, check out this recent Statesman article Lakeway looks to polls to resolve its city charter issues https://www.statesman.com/news/20201005/lakeway-looks-to-polls-to-resolve-its-city-charter-issues?fbclid=IwAR1RF1AMy5ejKokpCEqIZWxexvagbB27umfcS0HfUF_ifv6gmmnSjE8FezI

But, do you REALLY want to get the skinny on Charter changes and understand how Council rashly appointed former mayors and ex-council members (plus a couple good guys) to the Review Committee and then failed to rubber-stamp the majority’s self-serving recommendations, resulting in mayhem and all those ugly signs studding certain yards in Old Lakeway?  Then you need to watch the Charter Reviews items in Council meetings held on May 4, June 1, and July 6  Enjoy!  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Back to me….

My mail-in ballot arrived last week.  I will try voting in person at the Activity Center next week.  If it is crowded or doesn’t feel safe, I will mail my ballot from Westlake. (Lakeway’s post office is a black hole in the best of times.)

I got my last overdue medical matter tended to AND picked up my new glasses.  (My eyes felt better immediately!)  Maxie had her annual exam.  In addition to her vaccination, she got poked for a geriatric blood panel.  “Geriatric”–talk about adding insult to injury!  We refer “Senior,” thank you very much.

Lovely weather we had there for a bit, then summer closed back in on us.  Still, our deer are already working on their winter coats.  Here are some of my favorite recent photos.

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Here is a fun panda cub update from The National Zoo.  It’s a boy! Smithsonian National Zoo says giant panda cub is a male  https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/dc/smithsonian-national-zoo-panda-cub-is-a-boy/65-30e941d8-299b-42e6-b86c-b26697c8d73a?fbclid=IwAR3jK0kZB-Gs_DGKdtPJkS7awlE1ualbrlBfQ5hOVAY8M_SKTg3GYcpdXuA

Perspective is key….. 

Worldwide, new cases soared.  Last week, there were over a million new cases in a 3 day period, the sharpest increase ever, due to surges in Europe and the United States and continued outbreaks in India, Brazil and other countries.

In the US, daily new case totals tend to be 50,000 or higher now.  On Oct. 9, we had over 61,000 new cases; only the worst days of the summer surge had higher numbers.  Experts say we need to reduce that to less than 20,000 new daily cases.  Things are going in the wrong direction, as we face election gatherings, cold weather and major holidays.

In Texas, hospitalizations are rising.  Two weeks ago, on Sept. 27, 3217 Texans were hospitalized with COVID.  As of today (Oct. 11), that number is 3622.  Also, the testing positivity rate fluctuates from 6% to 9%, but it never drops close to the safe range of 2%.

Articles I recommend, if you missed them earlier….

Dr. Anthony Fauci provides an update. Fauci at odds with Trump: Downplaying virus threat ‘not a good thing,’ no ‘normal’ until at least mid-2021  9/11/20  https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fauci-odds-trump-downplaying-threat-good-thing-normal/story?id=72952834&cid=social_fb_abcnp&fbclid=IwAR1zm3e7knE6c99Unsc2AyjXXznGESA3m-IOVMhsJ86iGVXigFoKgVG-nEc

Guidance from recognized experts on testing, treatments, vaccines, herd immunity, fall/winter plans and more–definitely worth a close read. What the Fall and Winter of the Pandemic Will Look Like  9/18/20  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/18/opinion/coronavirus-fall-winter.html

More good and practical advice is in this article. Stop Expecting Life to Go Back to Normal Next Year  9/15/20https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/15/opinion/coronavirus-precautions.html

But, THIS is the article everyone needs to read, then read again, forward, and talk about.  Tomás Pueyo wrote the most important analysis of the coronavirus last spring, The Hammer and the Dance.   Now, he shows how America can manage COVID-19 as it inevitably ebbs and flows all over the country, using “fences”—not actual fences, of course, but policies put in place and enforced to keep out infections.  To Beat the Coronavirus, Build a Better Fence.  From the article: No country has been able to control the virus without a fence. Fences are not enough to stop the virus on their own, but they’re a necessary part of the solution. European countries and U.S. states had hoped otherwise. They were deluded. They opened their arms to their neighbors too soon and got infected in the hug.  They need to realize that not every country or state is effectively fighting the virus. Why should their citizens sacrifice so much for so long, with lockdowns and business closures, only to waste their efforts when their neighbors visit? And as long as states fail to control their borders, the coronavirus will come back. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/09/14/opinion/politics/coronavirus-close-borders-travel-quarantine.html

As always, my Covid-19 page has links to articles added daily, on all aspects of the pandemic.

In the US

We suffered yet another loss, in a year that has specialized in sneak attacks, relentless blows, vicious mayhem, and more death than we can contemplate.  Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died of cancer on Sept. 18.  Every American woman owes her a debt, for not only paving our way with her own achievements but for flying into the fray and removing obstacles for us all.  Notorious RBG, indeed.

This NY Times podcast captures her essence (transcript also available if you prefer to read.)  Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Life and the Battle for Her Seat https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/podcasts/the-daily/ruth-bader-ginsburg-supreme-court.html?rref=vanity

Here is a good article from 2016, in her own words. Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Advice for Living https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/02/opinion/sunday/ruth-bader-ginsburgs-advice-for-living.html

I’ll never forget this image, of hundreds of her former law clerks lining up on the Supreme Court steps to greet her casket.  Then, in pairs, they took shifts standing vigil at her side during 2 days of public viewing.

This video shows the Supreme Court ceremony and vigil, including the clerks’ tribute, the eulogy, official statements, and comments from people who came from across the nation to say goodbye. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e692Lx08RU

This video shows the U.S. Capitol Memorial Service for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqxHqVVhz4M

Panning out from one searing loss to over 200,000 Americans dead from COVID-19, this article pays tribute.  With Flags, Crosses and Photos, Mourning 200,000 Dead  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/20/us/covid-deaths.html

In Texas 

An Austin artist observes the death of each Texan from coronavirus (15,500 as of now).  ‘These Are Real People Dying’: Why an Artist Filled His Yard With Flags   https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/20/insider/front-page-200k-deaths.html

Official COVID reporting in Texas took several serious hits recently.  The result was detailed in a NY Times piece, concluding this: “Inconsistencies and problems with Covid-19 data collection in Texas have clouded the picture of the pandemic’s trajectory in the state, to the point that some residents and officials say they cannot rely on the numbers to tell them what is really going on.” Conflicting Virus Data in Texas Raises Distrust of the Government  9/13/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/13/us/texas-virus-data.html

Then, the state decided to make sweeping changes, so that it now reports 3 DIFFERENT positivity rates (percentage of tests showing infection). Texas officials change how the state reports positivity rate after testing backlogs skewed coronavirus data 9/14/20 https://www.texastribune.org/2020/09/14/texas-coronavirus-positivity-rate/

Soon after, Gov. Abbott declared the positivity rate would no longer be relied on as far as when to re-open.  Instead, he will look at hospitalizations, specifically the percentage of COVID hospitalizations compared to all hospitalizations.  If COVID hospitalizations are over 15% for 7 days, then additional restrictions may be needed. Texas re-openings tied more to COVID-19 severity than to spread 9/18/20 https://www.texastribune.org/2020/09/18/texas-reopening-coronavirus/

And, Gov. Abbott then continued re-opening Texas, allowing elective surgeries again and permitting restaurants, retail, office, etc. to open up to 75% capacity (from 50% previously).  Of course, Texas continues to perform less and less tests, just like the White House prefers.

In Lakeway

The Sept. 21 Council meeting was held IN PERSON at City Hall, after online meetings since February and with only 3 days notice. The somewhat good news is that Council agreed to a nominal increase of the property tax rate.  They will adopt what used to be called the effective rate but is now known as the no new revenue rate (being 16.53 cents per $100 of property valuation, compared to the current rate of 16.45 cents per $100); this rate will bring in the same amount of funds to the city for next year as it got this year, excluding new properties.  Previously, Mayor Cox and Council threatened to assess a 3.5% tax increase, then a 2% increase.  Now, there will technically be a 0% increase, but due to how this is calculated some properties will be charged more.  The frilly new expenditures they wanted (4 new staff positions and various new vehicles) are still in the budget.  But, it turns out that sales tax revenue to date was higher than projected, plus staff was suddenly able to trim planned expenditures here and there.  It is a shame that Mayor Cox and our Council members even considered raising taxes during a pandemic and ended up with this mediocre result, but at least they recognized the folly of doing anything more extreme after many, many residents objected.  And how nice that a path allowing them to have their cake and eat it too appeared out of nowhere….

Unfortunately, our deer remain at risk, with this year’s count still (as far as has been disclosed) set for October instead of the usual December and with roughly $40,000 in the 2021 budget available to partially fund culling the herd.

Going by an Executive Session description for the Sept. 21 meeting, it seems Lakeway is suing a former city attorney for bad legal advice.   However, no public action was taken at the meeting, and no details were released.  Could it be over the city’s long but losing campaign to pay Mayor Cox’s personal legal fees?  Or, possibly related to the city’s election reform that violated the Texas Constitution?  Or, it is regarding the Cherry Knoll fiasco?  Or, pretty much anything involving Legends?  Considering the city’s many legal misadventures in recent years, the possibilities are endless….

There IS a rumor going around that City of Lakeway is trying to annex the Crosswinds/Hornsby area just outside current bounds and abutting Rough Hollow.  And, it sounds like many of those homeowners are fighting mad about the power play.  With decades of abuse from that development, on their properties and on their Lake Travis frontage, it seems to me those folks have suffered enough.

Council will FINALLY adopt the 2021 budget and set the property tax rate (see details above) at the special Sept. 28 Council meeting.  The Agenda has MUCH MORE on tap, as well.  This includes moving ZAPCO monthly meetings from Tuesdays to Mondays and awarding a $163,558 annual landscape contract (for work at “various locations”).  Far more interesting is a review of the Planned Unit Development for The Oakes (HEB and the rest); this could be juicy, or it could be another whitewash.  Also, the city is adopting a Thoroughfare Plan, despite still having way too few actual thoroughfares.  Finally, an Executive Session item reveals a complaint against the police department, with no details given.  

Unfortunately, the Meeting Packet for the meeting has nothing helpful on most of the agenda items (the budget being the exception).  This means that Citizen Participation, while offered, is largely moot on most items; it is hard to submit a written comment BEFORE the meeting, as required, when no info is supplied past a headline-style Agenda.

For whatever reason, this meeting is back to ONLINE only. Go here to see the Agenda and Meeting Packet for Sept. 28– https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

If you want to make a public comment, you must arrange it BEFORE the meeting. To send written comments to Council and/or request to speak at the meeting, go here and create a Public Comment Form—https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

Go here to watch Council meetings online, live or after the fact—https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Finally, Lakeway had a rash of stolen vehicles last week.  The city notice mentioned that most cases involved unlocked cars, many with the keys left in the vehicles.  Seriously?   Lock your vehicles, remove valuables, and secure your keys.  Better yet—clear the junk out of your garage and park your car in there, for maximum security and minimum neighborhood clutter.

Back to me….

I ventured out to The Galleria for an eye exam and then shopped for a much-needed pair of new glasses.  Even THIS is a different experience due to COVID, but Lenscrafters is doing a great job keeping everything clean and safe.  Again, I heartily recommend doing this type thing on a Tuesday morning—I was the only customer.

Also, I gave in to my doctor’s plea and finally got the shingles vaccine.  (Well, the new Shingrix vaccine requires 2 shots, so I’ll get the second round in 2-6 months.)  I also got a tetanus booster that was over-due.  Since I’m not even close to reaching the deductible on my health insurance, I called around and found that HEB Pharmacy charges significantly less for both vaccines than other area options.  The pharmacist warned my arms would be sore, and he was not kidding!   

The rain was welcome, but it did cancel a few morning walks.  However, the deer posed nicely when I did get out, and here are some of my favorite shots.

The National Zoo’s panda cub suddenly LOOKS like a panda—covered in black and white fur, and very chubby. Check out this adorable video as Cubbie squeaks and grunts its way through a quick medical exam (including a DNA swab to ascertain gender)–The Baby Panda Is One Month Old https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/09/21/the-baby-panda-is-one-month-old/?fbclid=IwAR1qVXh8cV_XMnW4PMKb_80l4TyOuN9dc3vd3L4G2F0NYDDq9UCymh-g0IQ

Perspective is key….. 

Worldwide, the total number of COVID-19 deaths passed the 1 million mark today.  What a sea of suffering from something that did not even exist a year ago….

In the US, we hit the 7 million case mark on Sept. 20, just 3 weeks after reaching 6 million cases.  Steady for awhile at a high plateau, the number of new infections is now edging upward, with totals as high as 53,000 new cases per day recently.  Worst of all, 200,000 Americans were dead from COVID-19 as of Sept. 15.  This was less than 4 months since May 26, when what seemed an impossible 100,000 people had died.

In Texas, the daily death counts remain high.  New cases are rising despite inadequate testing, and hospitalizations are creeping upward.  Again.

It is clear who we can and cannot trust, so I recommend these recent articles from Dr. Anthony Fauci:

—Fauci debunks theories of low CDC coronavirus death toll: ‘There are 180,000-plus deaths’ in U.S. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/01/fauci-debunks-theories-of-low-cdc-coronavirus-death-toll-there-are-180000-plus-deaths-in-us.html?fbclid=IwAR2fSXhSbfyxWhdarQ7JPm_0O9iSwS6yMOdh7tw2i2tF2j7Cug78LnQPPwg

—Fauci says U.S. needs to ‘hunker down’ for fall and winter  https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fauci-says-u-s-needs-hunker-down-fall-winter-n1239798?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_ma&fbclid=IwAR02lTJtUFAoW3Q8ShQMp3m1Bp9pjhPV98N5AMz7OjRQiM9391VlGXYiMAc

I also recommend this article–How Did the ‘Best-Prepared Country’ Become a Horror Story? 9/13/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/12/opinion/sunday/donald-trump-coronavirus.html

As always, my Covid-19 page has links to articles added daily, on all aspects of the pandemic.

In the US

SO MANY political tell-all books came out the last 2 weeks, the western edge of the country caught fire, and we observed both Labor Day and the 19^th anniversary of 9/11.  Of course, 197,000 Americans missed that milestone, having died in the current tragedy of COVID.  I wonder how many more of us will die before the 20^th anniversary?  Another 200,000?  More?  Will there be a safe and effective vaccine a year from now?  Or is that just another lie?

It is natural to compare 9/11 and the pandemic, despite their fundamental differences.  What I heard repeatedly last week was a sense of nostalgia, a feeling we were better off back then, as bad as it was at the time. It seemed to boil down to feeling that in 2001 we were at least united.  Now, our division along every axis—party and race just being the start of it—seems insurmountable.  With all the anger and hate, and the screaming matches online amongst ourselves and also in the media, being united isn’t even palatable.  Maybe in 2020, thanks to all the over-sharing in recent years, we just know each other far too well.

As for the books, I highly recommend soothing eye drops and:

–Peter Strzok’s Compromised: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump

–Michael S. Schmidt’s Donald Trump v. The United States: Inside the Struggle to Stop a President

–Bob Woodward’s Rage.

But, the several trashier books published recently are also fun reads and VERY illuminating.

As for the fires, I recommend prayer.  Also, if you can do it, donations.  The Red Cross is always a good choice  https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief/wildfire-relief.html

Another option is Greater Good, which sends teams and funds local groups assisting people, pets and other animals in harm’s way.  https://store.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/93573-2020-disaster-response

For 9/11, I recommend this article: ‘We’re the Only Plane in the Sky’  https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/09/were-the-only-plane-in-the-sky-214230

Without politicizing the tragedy, it tells the story of the moments and hours after it happened, from the viewpoint of staff and media who had traveled with President Bush to a school event in Florida.  It shows how they made their way home during an unprecedented threat. They were scared, too.

This last recommendation is also non-partisan.  Bruce Springsteen wrote us all a song.  It is quintessential Bruce & E Street Band, only missing Clarence ….  Listen to “A Letter to You“ here.    You’ll feel better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQyLEz0qy-g

In Texas 

Schools and universities started up, some in person.  Football games were played, with people in the stands.  We’ll soon see the results of all that.

Gov. Abbott started signaling that he is going to ease restrictions on bars.  The way he and TABC caved to bars already, letting them operate as restaurants without having kitchens by selling pre-packaged food, makes this nearly a non-issue. Surely the point has been made, over and over, in state after state–bars spread COVID.

In Lakeway

Mayor Cox mentioned in her Facebook talk last week that early voting is no longer allowed at schools or grocery stores.  So, starting Oct. 13, Lakeway’s early voting will be held at the Activity Center.  (Thanks to Gov. Abbott’s idiocy, masks are NOT required at the polls.)

People are still complaining about the raised medians on 620.  Personally, I plan my trips to eliminate left-hand turns and prefer anything that minimizes collisions on this hazardous and unavoidable roadway. 

Council again discussed the budget and raising our property tax rate as high as 3.5% (the max they can go with triggering an election for approval), at its Sept. 8 special meeting.  Yet again, no final decision was made.  However:

1. They are still planning action against our deer.  Mayor Cox stated that the annual deer count would be done 2 months early this year (in October), so that, depending on the results, Council would have time to take action against the deer.  (Whether this would be TTT or TTP was not specified, but both include inhumane trapping.)  For that purpose, roughly $40,000 was set aside in the budget; the latest estimate for culling was $120,000-$170,000, so apparently the rest will come out of the Capital Fund cookie jar.  However, they fudge it, this money comes from our taxes.  Funding and killing aside, changing the timing of the deer count is unfortunate, since the trend data gleaned won’t match up with that from the last 3 years, when the count was done in early December.  Deer counts are all about trends; a single count is considered worthless.
2. Mayor Cox yet again stressed she wants to give city staff an across-the-board raise.  This is in addition to the 4 new positions and 2 vehicles that would require a property tax increase.  She insists she wants to “take care of our people.”  Surely, the RESIDENTS of Lakeway are the people she should be taking care of by NOT raising taxes at this difficult time.  If they can manage to avoid furloughs of staff, that would be lovely, but anyone who expects a RAISE during a pandemic is way too entitled—even by Lakeway’s standards.
3. The online meeting was the usual technical nightmare.  City staff had repeated problems getting connected.  Sound quality was laughable, and the extended time lag between Council and others was tedious.  The sole resident who signed up for Citizen Participation was able to connect, but his comments were garbled by the system and unintelligible.  Lakeway has had the same amount of time as the rest of America to figure out remote meetings and adopt Zoom instead of this decrepit system.  If only the city had a Communications Director to handle these things….  Oh, wait, we do. 

Council will consider budget issues one last time at its Sept. 21 meeting.  It will adopt a budget and set the tax rate at the special Sept. 28 meeting.  All meetings will limp along online in non-Zoom fashion. Go here to see the Agendas and Meeting Packets (posted 3 days prior)–https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

If you want to make a public comment, you must arrange it BEFORE a meeting. To send written comments to Council and/or request to speak at the meeting, go here and create a Public Comment Form—https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

Go here to watch Council meetings online, live or after the fact—https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Back to me….

I took advantage of the current COVID lull by catching up on medical appointments cancelled in the spring and early summer.  Both my primary and dermatologist are very worried about another surge in Texas this fall.

We not only got needed rain but glorious jacket weather…in September!  Cuddling with cats and a blanket is my idea of paradise.  It only lasted 24 hours, but it was terrific.

My favorite living author, Louise Penny, has her latest book, All the Devils Are Here, sitting at #1 on the NY Times Bestseller List today.  Well deserved!  This is the 16th book in the author’s amazing Gamach series.  I just finished it and think it, after a couple uneven recent books, may be her very best.  Instead of her usual Canadian setting, this book is set in Paris; it lets readers travel abroad safely, and it also highlights characters who were previously under-used.  Amazon will send you one.  Also, the Lake Travis Community Library has it. 

The book uses a quote from Thomas Hobbes that struck me. “Hell is the truth seen too late.”  Think about that.  Seems to me it applies universally– to politics, the pandemic, even that unfortunate relationship, Facebook post, or failed recipe….

The deer continue to amaze.  Fawns born in spring are now nearly as tall as their moms with rapidly fading spots.  Enjoy a few of my favorite photos!

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Panda cub updates:

–The National Zoo’s PandaCam updates show Mei Xiang caring for her thriving baby panda. https://www.fox5dc.com/news/national-zoos-latest-pandacam-shows-mei-xiang-care-for-baby-panda-in-reminder-there-is-joy-in-this-world?fbclid=IwAR3FHzDZ7QQsLBC7RWzIZG78oJ5tv01QB2nV3jmygwjUTRzEbSL5RCiCsZ4

–Mom grabs a snack and wee cub complains very cutely.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqbtS_kkYyU&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2C-1ciQLJXGeL9MgT_fFHMDTFzuuKPFV68rVg5NB1ECgt1xaECXG2fQXg

Perspective is key….. 

Worldwide, we are closing in on 30 million cases and 1 million deaths.  I’m feeling numb to numbers, which may be for the best.  India has lurched into second place, behind America, for confirmed cases.  Considering India has 4 times the number of people that America does, it will likely at some point take over our sad #1 spot.  However, India’s death rate is relatively low, in part because its obesity rate is very low (while America tends toward obesity, a serious complicating factor for surviving COVID).

In the US, this past week we averaged 38,000 new COVID infections per day.  We averaged 748 COVID deaths per day.  And this is the plateau, down from the horror show of July but still far worse than May-June.  Experts warn that when this lull ends (and it will end), the surge will be FAR worse that July was, due to the high plateau. 

In Texas, deaths were reported in the last week at an average of 103 per day.  (Yes, that means that of the 748 Americans who died per day last week, 103 were Texans.)  Right now, the state site is again strewn with multiple warnings of data discrepancies.  While the positivity rate (8.11 today) and hospitalizations (3,319 today) are reported as dropping, is that data accurate?

This article helped me re-think some things–When It Comes to Covid-19, Most of Us Have Risk Exactly Backward.  It is clear that COVID-19 will be around for the foreseeable future, to a greater or lesser extent as things ebb and flow.  Unless and until a safe and effective vaccine becomes available, we have to decide how best to live with it.  The author’s suggestion of balance—if I decide to do this somewhat risky activity, then I need to counter that with extra precautions in another area—works for me.  It is certainly better than the wild abandon that in many cases greeted relaxing of official restrictions this summer and resulted in surges in cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Texas and many other states. The idea of trade off—do this but compensate for it by NOT doing that—might work for parents with the unenviable task of wrestling kids through the pandemic lifestyle.  As the article concludes: “Instead of asking why we can’t do certain activities, we might consider what we’re willing to give up to do them more safely. Even better, we might consider what we’re willing to give up so others can do them, too.”  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/28/opinion/coronavirus-schools-tradeoffs.html

As always, my Covid-19 page has links to articles added daily, on all aspects of the pandemic.

In the US

The last 2 weeks of political conventions showcased the best and worst of the nation.  In case anyone needs to know my take on which was which, I’ll just include a shot of a spectacular yard sign that I spotted recently in Old Lakeway.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which until recently was among the most respected medical authorities in the world, abruptly announced that asymptomatic people do not need to be tested for Covid-19, even if they’ve been in close contact with an infected person.  Medical experts on every level (including the American Medical Association, past CDC officials, and several state health agencies) protested that testing was the only way to control COVID-19, with several refusing to abide by this rash and unsupported pronouncement.  This was Dr. Anthony Fauci’s reaction: “I was under general anesthesia in the operating room [for removal of a vocal cord polyp] and was not part of any discussion or deliberation regarding the new testing recommendations … I am concerned about the interpretation of these recommendations and worried it will give people the incorrect assumption that asymptomatic spread is not of great concern. In fact it is,” said Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/politics/fauci-coronavirus-cdc-testing/index.html

Given the Trump administration’s repeated nonsensical statements that America should TEST LESS, in order to minimize the number of cases, this headline says it all: CDC was pressured ‘from the top down’ to change coronavirus testing guidance, official says  https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/politics/cdc-coronavirus-testing-guidance/index.html

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also crumbled against governmental pressure, granting emergency use approval to the unproven treatment known as convalescent plasma.  (Similar rash approval by the FDA of hydroxychloroquine had to be withdrawn when that malaria drug proved unhelpful against coronavirus and caused potentially lethal side-effects.)  Statements were made at a White House press conference that preliminary data showed 35% positive results, which turned out to be UNTRUE :  F.D.A. ‘Grossly Misrepresented’ Blood Plasma Data, Scientists Say https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/24/health/fda-blood-plasma.html

FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn soon apologized for his “over-statement.” https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/fda-chief-apologizes-for-overstating-plasma-effect-on-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR11sMvUXBriFDZOHFDuRXTVx7Xln78IZ_7Nelql3p0OQ8MzxTIxmCYQSVw

The final act of this fiasco came with the FDA’s firing of public relations employees.  Two P.R. Experts at F.D.A. Have Been Ousted After Blood Plasma Fiasco https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/28/health/blood-plasma-fda.html  As Rachel Maddow concisely noted on her MSNBC show, “This was not a PR problem.”   

Both these developments were orchestrated at the start of the Republican National Convention, seemingly to provide cover for months-long negligence.  The GOP proceeded to re-write America’s pandemic history by referring to it in the PAST TENSE.  Yet, 4,200 Americans died of COVID-19 during the convention’s 4 day run.

Schools and colleges are re-opening in some fashion across the country.  Here are 2 ways to keep an eye on COVID-19 cases at these institutions:

K-12 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/08/28/906263926/how-many-coronavirus-cases-are-happening-in-schools-this-tracker-keeps-count

Colleges  https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/covid-college-cases-tracker.html

In Texas 

The COVID situation in Texas appears to be improving.  Unfortunately, the state’s handling of data just gets worse and worse.  The official website habitually has one or more notes as to a discrepancy, caveat, data dump, backlog, inconsistency, or other glitch indicating that the numbers reported are NOT accurate or current.  This article covered the problem: Turns out, Texas Gov. Abbott’s key metric in fight against COVID is unreliable https://www.expressnews.com/news/politics/texas_legislature/article/Turns-out-Texas-Gov-Abbott-s-key-metric-in-15498291.php?fbclid=IwAR3vE1E-G3R5uPV-xaSLkf6QxQgB5TK10so-XxKrf3sKGDzJW-677GepbNE

One result of the data errors is chronic miscalculation of the “positivity rate”—the percentage of positive tests.  The goal is 2%, while experts say 5% or higher is dangerous; Gov. Abbott  repeatedly says up to 10% is tolerable.  The reported Texas positivity rate has fluctuated from 25% to 12% in August.  (The positivity rate reported today is 12.24%.)  A Texas health department official summed things up this way: “I don’t know what we truly know right now.”  https://www.statesman.com/news/20200818/virus-positivity-rate-dips-to-112-officials-say-fluctuation-due-to-backlogged-test-results

Also, testing in Texas has decreased sharply.  Right when data is needed to assess safety to re-open schools, the state is testing less–far less–instead of more.  As of today, Texas is only testing 28% of the amount needed to mitigate spread of the virus.  https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-testing.html

Just a reminder—state law continues to require masks in public and to prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people.

In Lakeway

Lake Travis Community Library is back!  Curbside pick-up of materials reserved online re-started last week.

TXDOT is re-working 620 from Lohmans Crossing to Lakeway Boulevard, replacing the chicken lane though our business district with barrier medians.  The goal is to reduce accidents from left-hand turns in this busy and high-speed corridor.  As always, change is hard….  Residents will need to plan their trips to make right-hand turns or use intersections to access businesses on the far side of 620. 

Council at its Aug. 17 meeting voted 6/1 to increase our property taxes up to the 3.5% maximum that is allowed by law, without forcing a vote by residents.  Mayor Cox, in particular, insisted the city needs the extra funds to create 4 new city positions and purchase new vehicles. 

Whether Lakeway will return to culling our deer remains unclear.  Council voted to do so back in January, pending receipt of cost data from the Wildlife Advisory Committee (WAC).  At WAC’s February meeting (the last before Council suspended non-essential committees due to the pandemic), a written cost estimate was passed around on the dais, with members careful not to state the figures out loud for the record.  If this estimate was passed along to Council, it was never discussed at a public meeting.  Yet, at the Aug. 3 budget session, Mayor Cox mentioned the 2021 budget included $8,500 for an annual deer census, plus $36,500 for WAC as part of contingency committee funding.  To my knowledge, WAC never spent the $45,000 city funding it got in 2020.  It is unclear if the $81,500 combined amount or a higher amount for deer culling is included in the proposed budget, in part due to the fact that budget spreadsheets have not been included in meeting packets available to the public during online Council meetings.  Raising our property taxes for new city hires, vehicles, etc.—that is bad enough during a pandemic that has hurt everyone financially.  Raising our taxes to return to Lakeway’s decades-old, controversial and barbaric destruction of our deer is outrageous.

Council may consider budget issues again at its Sept. 8 meeting (held on a Tuesday due to Labor Day) and its Sept. 21 meeting.  It will adopt a budget and set the final tax rate at the special Sept. 28 meeting.  All meetings will be online.

Go here to see the Agendas and Meeting Packets (posted 3 days prior)–https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

If you want to make a public comment, you must arrange it BEFORE a meeting. To send written comments to Council and/or request to speak at the meeting, go here and create a Public Comment Form—https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

Go here to watch Council meetings online, live or after the fact—https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Back to me….

I lucked out last week with a skilled Spectrum technician who fixed more than he broke. Internet, cable, DVR and phone all working properly–how refreshing!

This killer heat has one advantage—it is too much for the weeds in my yard.  I know they will return, but for now my back and I are enjoying the reprieve.

I took another pass at trimming my hair.  It is definitely not at the “perfect” stage, but practice does make better.

Lakeway’s deer continue to enchant on my early morning walks.  Enjoy a few of my favorite photos!

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Pandas are irresistible, so I have been following the newborn addition at the National Zoo.  The cub was caught on camera recently, just a week old and SO tiny but strong (and very LOUD), as attentive mom Mei Xiang rolled away for a quick drink of water.  https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/national-zoo-panda-cub-seems-strong-as-markings-start-to-appear/2404954/

Perspective is key….. 

Worldwide, there have been over 25 million COVID-19 cases and 850,000 deaths.

In the US, there have been over 6 million cases and 187,000 deaths.  If those numbers seem out of proportion to the world figures just above—they are, and not in a good way.  America has 4% of the world’s population, but to date we have suffered 25% of all COVID cases and 22% of all COVID deaths.

In Texas, over 12,500 residents have died of COVID-19, more than any other state except NY, NJ and CA.  Per capita, Texas has had 42 deaths per 100,000 people.  While declining from July highs, 100-300 Texans are still reported dying each day.