A recent article resonated with me. Here is how it starts:
“It is still hard to absorb that a virus has reshaped world behavior, halted or altered travel, strained the economy and completely reshaped the nature of public spaces and human interaction.
It is also hard to absorb that this may not be a quickly passing phase, an inconvenience for a season, but something that the world is forced to live with for years, even assuming that a vaccine is soon found.
The idea that years of planning for graduations and weddings, home purchases and retirement, might all come to a screeching halt is humbling and disorienting. The confusion over how and when children can safely return to school and adults can safely return to work is frustrating because it leaves people’s lives in the lurch.
The idea that face coverings and elbow bumps may be the new normal is a shock to the system.
It seems that on multiple levels, society is being tested, and often failing.
People are rebelling against isolation, and against science and public health. They want the old world back, the pre-Covid-19 world back, but it cannot be had. The virus doesn’t feel frustration or react to it. It’s not aware of your children or your job or your vacation plans. It’s not aware of our politics.
The virus is a virus, mindless, and in this case, incredibly efficient and effective. It will pass from person to person for as long as that is possible. The political debate over mask wearing is a human concern, one that works to the virus’s benefit.”
For more, read this article by NY Times columnist Charles M. Blow. American Horror, Starring Donald Trump 7/12/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/12/opinion/coronavirus-donald-trump.html
As always, my Covid-19 page has links to articles added daily, on all aspects of the pandemic.
In the US
Remember back in early spring, when some people assumed COVID-19 would just naturally fade away in summer? THAT didn’t happen–just another way this is NOT the flu.
Even in the many states where coronavirus is completely out of control, re-opening of schools for in-person classes is being debated. This is largely due to immediate and full opening being demanded by the White House, which stated “Science should not stand in the way of school openings.” Actually, the opposite is true–scientifically proven methods and clear standards crafted by medical experts should be followed to open schools only as much and when it is safe to do so, in order to safeguard the health of kids, teachers, support staff, their family members, and the entire community. Nothing has the capacity to be a super-spreader more than our schools. Obviously, opening depends on infection rates in the area. (So, the teen parties, crowded beaches, packed bars, and other reckless behavior that resulted in surging infection rates will cause delayed school openings and, by extension, slower economic recovery. There are always consequences to stupidity….) Also, student age and grade levels are relevant, since student behavior, attention span, subject matter, necessary teacher intervention, etc. vary widely; elementary schools will need to be handled differently from high schools. Nothing should be based on political tantrums, and the convenience of parents really isn’t a priority, either. Pandemics aren’t fair, and they don’t care what any of us want. Texas and other states are learning that the hard way right now.
This editorial in today’s Statesman got it right– Texas needs to set COVID metrics for school reopening https://www.statesman.com/opinion/20200717/editorial-texas-needs-to-set-covid-metrics-for-school-reopenings
In Texas
Gov. Abbott still refuses to take the action needed to control coronavirus, after his earlier mistakes sent it on the current rampage. Turns out even his Republican party is angry with him, for failing to mandate their in-person convention could take place in severely Covid-ravaged Houston and for belatedly requiring masks. Well, no one likes a coward…
Hospitals across the state are in trouble, many low on ICU beds and others completely full generally and sending patients to distant facilities. Austin is turning the convention center into surge space. Many cities have ordered refrigerated trucks, as local morgues are full.
Until a state is handling COVID-19 responsibly with curbed infection rates, well-functioning hospitals, adequate testing, and prompt tracing, the economy won’t recover and businesses will continue to suffer. That is what makes the abbreviated shutdown Texas did in the spring so infuriating. We were part-way there, but Abbott chickened out and pulled the plug, opening up the state with abandon and in complete disregard for expert guidance and HIS OWN previously itemized standards. All our efforts back then were wasted, and we are currently in a far worse situation as far as infection rate, hospitalizations and deaths. At this point, thanks to so many egregious mistakes and the resultant rebellious public opinion in many parts of the state (extending even to law enforcement), we are so deep into this mess that Abbott’s recent mask requirement and closing of bars is not nearly enough. Only a full shutdown can stop COVID-19 in Texas now, and that would likely need to be enforced via the National Guard.
The Texas Medical Society provided this chart, for those trying to gauge the risk of various activities.
In Lakeway
At the July 6 Council meeting, they voted for November ballot proposals to revise the Lakeway Charter on 2 key election-related points (as well as several minor issues). First, a proposal will change the term of service for officials from the current 3 years (which violates the Texas Constitution) back to 2 years; maximum of 6 consecutive years of service is also up approval. Second, voters will get to decide if city elections should move from May (when very low voter turnout allows the old guard to control the results) to November (when people expect to vote, and state and national elections bring up to 75% of registered voters to the polls). The election will be formally called at the next Council meeting, July 20. Council could change its mind or tweak the ballot language at that meeting.
Another interesting topic at the July 6 meeting was possible creation of a Health Unit (possibly in cooperation with Bee Cave and/or The Hills), which would work with Austin Public Health. The hope is that a local office would give access to local data (confirmed cases, hospitalizations, etc.), provide tracing of local outbreaks, and get more and/or free testing set up in our area. Funding could come from Lakeway’s share of the CARES Act funds (still not released by Travis County). Council only agreed to investigate this further.
Also, Police Chief Radford gave an extensive report, including statistics on traffic stops by race, use of force, etc., in Lakeway over the last 3 years.
Council meets Monday, July 20, at 6:30pm. This is another online meeting. Agenda items include finalizing the ballot language and officially calling a Nov. 3 election for Charter changes, plus several other matters.
If you want to make a public comment on these issues, 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 see the Agenda and Meeting Packet for July 20–https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Go here to watch the meeting online, live or after the fact—https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events
Back to me….
The last 2 weeks, I took every precaution against coronavirus infection, in light of the horrific statistics locally. Even more than I have done the last 4 months, I stayed home. When I left the house, it was mostly just for early morning walks, and I wore a mask even then. Otherwise, I only did a curbside DVD and book pick-up at the library and a curbside kitty drop-off at the vet of my precious Tulip for an early depo shot (due to a scary allergy situation).
At least our gorgeous deer are enjoying summer. The new fawns are mature enough to be out and about with the does now. I got some fun photos.
Perspective is key…..
In the US, 2 weeks ago America had just broken the mark of 3 million cases. ALREADY, we are approaching the 4 million case mark. How could that happen? America now routinely reports over 70,000 new cases each day. The US death toll, which had dropped since spring (in large part because experience improved our medical response), is starting to surge.
In Texas, 2 weeks ago (on July 6), confirmed cases had just hit 200,000, having taken 17 days to rise to that level from the 100,000 mark that we took several months to reach. The state took only 11 days to exceed 300,000 cases on July 17. The number of Texans hospitalized is well over 10,000, and the daily death toll has been in the triple digits most of the past week. The statewide positivity rate is 16-17% in recent days, and it is as high as 25-30% in specific areas.
Locally, cases are spiking with the rest of the state. 2 weeks ago, there were 159 cases in Lakeway’s zip codes of 78734/78738. Now, we have 264 cases.
No end in sight….