Loved this article, that asks Dr. Anthony Fauci and other experts how they manage real life during a pandemic (buying groceries, haircuts, mail, masks, plane trips, etc.). How Fauci, 5 other health specialists deal with COVID-19 risks in their everyday lives 7/3/20 https://www.boston.com/news/coronavirus/2020/07/03/how-fauci-5-other-health-specialists-deal-with-covid-19-risks-in-their-everyday-lives
If you aren’t concerned about the current COVID surge in Texas, check out these articles from inside our hospitals.
Houston https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=639&v=LkyXhPYbX0c&feature=emb_title
Rio Grande Valley https://www.texastribune.org/2020/07/04/texas-coronavirus-rio-grande-valley-hospitals/
As always, my Covid-19 page has links to articles added daily, on all aspects of the pandemic.
In the US
The US continues to fail spectacularly, amassing more cases and deaths than any other country. European countries that have controlled the virus now ban entry of Americans.
In Texas
In the last 2 weeks, the spike in COVID cases and hospitalizations has worsened. Every record—most daily new cases, most hospitalizations, most deaths—was shattered again and again. The positivity testing rate in major cities (Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio) is 20-25%–the highest in the country. Last week, Gov. Abbott (finally and far too late) issued a state-wide mask order and limited gatherings to 10 people, as well as closing bars and scaling restaurants back to 50% capacity. Officials throughout Texas begged residents to stay home and forego 4th of July gatherings, as hospitals are in surge capacity and predicting even that will be exhausted by mid-July. Somehow, the Texas Republican convention is still planned to take place IN PERSON in downtown Houston July 16-18.
In Lakeway
A June 20 party was held in Spicewood, with up to 300 local teens (including high school juniors and seniors from Lakeway). The annual tradition known as “Pongfest” not only featured underage drinking but had several kids in attendance who were exposed to COVID-19, had been tested, and found out soon after the party they were positive for the disease. Austin Public Health tried to investigate, but known attendees refused to rat out friends at this illicit event. Even the location and the parents facilitating the event have been kept secret.
As of June 20, Travis County stats showed 83 positive cases in the 78734 and 78738 zip codes; as of today, in just 2 weeks, that total has doubled, to 167.
The city’s fireworks event was cancelled, and all parks were closed over the long holiday weekend.
Council meets online 6:30pm on Monday, July 6. The agenda includes another round of discussion on Charter changes to go on the November ballot. This may well be the final vote on a proposal to fix that pesky problem of Lakeway’s current election protocol violating the Texas Constitution; this has to do with 2 or 3 year terms for Council and the mayor. Just as important is whether to move city elections 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). November elections would mean fewer elections and save us money, plus result in officials representing the entire community, but Council Members Kumar and Howell prefer May when just the right people vote; Council Member Smith and Mayor Cox have declared themselves undecided.
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 6–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….
Last week, I reluctantly kept a doctor’s appointment for annual thyroid cancer follow up; many things can be done online, but a doc cannot palpate a neck on Zoom. Also, I have gotten my grocery run to HEB stretched out to once a month, and last week it was time for that (at least, everyone wore a mask). Tulip’s annual vet visit was also due; I opted to stay in the car and talk to Dr. Terrell on the phone as he did the exam and vaccinated her; happily, my precious girl got a good report.
July 3 was the 4th anniversary of my mom’s death. I still see or hear something and think, just for a second, “Gotta tell Mom….” But, she would have hated each and every aspect of what we are living through now.
Lately, I have seen several new fawns on my morning walks.
Also, a black and white puddle rolling through my yard today turned out to be 3 baby skunks. Cute!
Perspective is key
Worldwide, confirmed cases went from 9 million to over 11 million in just 2 weeks. And there is no end in sight.
Texas cases stood at 114,881 on 6/22; in the last 2 weeks, they shot up to 195,239. On 6/22, there were 3,711Texans hospitalized; today, 8,181 Texans are in hospitals.
Travis County had 6,339 cases on 6/22; there are 11,679 cases today.
Is there any question that we are in crisis?