Have a proud and happy Juneteenth! This has long been celebrated in Texas, and it is wonderful to see it honored as a federal holiday.
The Coronavirus
Worldwide, more people have already died of Covid-19 in 2021 than died in all of 2020. The actual death count is between 7 and 13 million, so far. The pandemic is worsening in Latin America and Asia. Russia is also surging, thanks to the virulent Delta variant and widespread distrust of the state-sponsored vaccine. In Africa, new cases increased by 45% last week.
While most wealthy nations are doing better, largely thanks to widespread vaccination, the UK is experiencing a surge from the Delta variant. As a result, a planned re-opening was delayed 4 weeks.
Japan says the Olympics, due to start in just a month, will happen. With new cases dropping 70% from last month’s peak, the country is planning to drop emergency restrictions soon. But, Japan is only 15% vaccinated, and a recent poll shows 83% of the populace wants the event cancelled.
Canada is still struggling with high Covid cases and slow vaccinations. It is extending the bar on nonessential travel across the U.S. border by another month, until at least July 21.
In the US, both New York and California re-opened on June 15.
Travel nationwide has rebounded big-time; TSA is processing over 2 million air travelers per day on weekends now, for the first time since March of 2020. (Air travelers shrank to less 100,000 per day in April of 2020.)
Deaths from Covid have dropped 90% to an average of 375 people lost daily, since peaking in January at over 3,000 per day.
However, our new case numbers are no longer dropping. The plateau is due the Delta variant, which is the most contagious form of the virus AND tends to cause a more severe illness, very quickly. (It doubles the risk of hospitalization, compared to the Alpha variant.) Basically, Delta is the worst variant, so far. Spreading fast through America, Delta is causing over 10% of our new infections; that percentage is expected to double every 2 weeks. Experts warn Delta will pass the Alpha variant to become dominant here by fall, resulting in a spike of hospitalizations and deaths in areas with large pools of unvaccinated people. Happily, our vaccines seem to protect against the Delta variant, but the unvaccinated are at high risk.
The US government is investing over $3 billion in developing an antiviral pill to cure Covid-19 when taken at the start of an infection. The program was created by the Biden administration in January. Now, Merck and 2 other companies have products in clinical trials, and it is possible that FDA-approved pills will be available by the end of 2021. Since America’s herd stupidity is preventing our achieving herd immunity, an antiviral pill may be the next best thing. A Pill to Treat Covid-19? The U.S. Is Betting on It. 6/17/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/17/health/covid-pill-antiviral.html
Vaccinations–the safe path to herd immunity
Worldwide, roughly 20 percent of the population has received at least one shot of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Pakistan has a vaccine hesitancy problem and isn’t screwing around. Officials are blocking cellphone service for those not yet vaccinated and suspending the salaries of government employees who have not been vaccinated.
The Biden administration announced America will buy and donate 500 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to 92 low/middle income countries. The vaccines will be administered by Covax, the WHO-backed initiative working to expand global access to vaccines.
In the US, about 45 percent of the entire U.S. population is fully vaccinated. That’s roughly 150 million people.
Vermont became the first state to vaccinate over 80% of adults, just last week. Both New York and California have now vaccinated over 70% of adults.
Other states continue lotteries and freebies for the vaccinated. Washington state is going its own way, with Joints for Jabs–a free marijuana joint from a participating marijuana retailer for adults getting a shot.
Vaccination is being required for all sorts of activities, including getting tickets for Broadway shows opening soon.
Another powerful impetus for getting vaccinated is keeping your job. Businesses (including hospitals and senior living facilities, for obvious reasons) are requiring employees to get vaccinated, or be fired. Of course, the most obstinate anti-vaxxers are suing, but courts are siding with employers trying to safeguard customers and employees–and remain open as the country recovers.
During the first 150 days of the Biden administration, over 300 million shots were given. However, lately the vaccination rate has dropped to well under 1 million shots per day. This is jeopardizing reaching President Biden’s goal of 70% of adults at least partly vaccinated by July 4. Fourteen states plus Washington, DC, have met the 70% goal. As a nation, to date, we are at 65%. Biden is on track to fall short of vaccinating 70% of American adults by the Fourth of July 6/17/21 https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/17/president-bidens-fourth-of-july-covid-vaccination-goals-are-in-jeopardy.html
In Texas, less than 40% of the population is vaccinated. However, Travis County reports 47% vaccinated.
As always with the pandemic, Gov. Abbott did the wrong thing regarding businesses trying to protect their employees and customers so they can reopen safely. Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill to punish businesses that require proof of COVID-19 vaccination 6/7/21 https://www.texastribune.org/2021/06/07/texas-vaccine-passports-covid-19/
Recent Covid articles I recommend….
—A Pill to Treat Covid-19? The U.S. Is Betting on It. 6/17/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/17/health/covid-pill-antiviral.html
—As Pandemic Recedes in U.S., Calls Are Growing for an Investigative Commission 6/16/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/16/us/politics/coronavirus-investigative-commission.html
—What You Need to Know About Your Vaccine Card 6/15/21 https://www.nytimes.com/article/vaccine-covid-card.html
—What Are the Roadblocks to a ‘Vaccine Passport’? 6/15/21 https://www.nytimes.com/article/vaccine-passport.html
—Many Post-Covid Patients Are Experiencing New Medical Problems, Study Finds 6/15/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/15/health/covid-19-patients.html
—A new coronavirus variant is on the rise. Here’s why experts are concerned 6/14/21 https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/14/health/us-coronavirus-monday/index.html
—If you have long Covid, don’t give up hope. Recovery is possible 6/10/21 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/10/long-covid-hope-recovery-symptoms
—Yes, Your Employer Can Require You to Be Vaccinated 6/9/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/09/business/covid-vaccine-employer-rules.html
—Teens Are Rarely Hospitalized With Covid, but Cases Can Be Severe 6/4/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/04/health/coronavirus-teenagers-hospitalizations.html
Daring Mighty Things
It is getting crowded on Mars. China recently landed a rover named Zhurong (translating to God of Fire). The size of a car, Zhurong’s 90 day mission is to investigate ice far underground as well as study the geology, soil, and atmosphere of Mars.
Here is an update on America’s Perseverance rover as it continues to explore Mars–NASA’s Perseverance Rover Begins Its First Science Campaign on Mars 6/9/21 https://mars.nasa.gov/news/8963/nasas-perseverance-rover-begins-its-first-science-campaign-on-mars/
Texas state elections
Texas elects a Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General AND Lakeway will elect a new state senator, in November of 2022–which will be here before we know it. (See my previous blog for background.) Personally, I cannot wait to VOTE OUT our current roster of miscreant office-holders. As the usual Republicans jockey for position in the various races, there is a lot going on now. So far, the likely Democratic challengers are playing it cool.
Lakeway’s Republican State Senator Dawn Buckingham announced she won’t seek a third term because she is instead running for Texas Land Commissioner. Good news for Lakeway…. Republican state Sen. Dawn Buckingham running for Texas land commissioner https://www.dailytrib.com/2021/06/08/buckingham-seeking-gop-nomination-for-texas-land-commissioner/
As for Lakeway’s Senate seat, there’s this–Former Austin council member Ellen Troxclair announces run for Texas Senate https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/06/09/austin-city-council-member-ellen-troxclair-running-texas-senate/7625380002/
Former Texas Supreme Court justice Eva Guzman wants to be Attorney General. She is challenging incumbent Ken Paxton and Current Land Commissioner George P. Bush in the Republican primary next March. Eva Guzman, former Texas Supreme Court justice, joins GOP primary challenge against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton https://www.texastribune.org/2021/06/09/eva-guzman-texas-supreme-court/
Greg Abbott is very, very busy running for a 3rd term as Governor. Sitting next to the disgraced president of the NRA, he recently signed the “everyone gets a gun in Texas” law that he ushered through the state legislature this year. No paperwork, no background check, no waiting period, and no gun safety training–because the GOP doesn’t think Texas has enough gun violence as it is. Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill to allow Texans to carry handguns without a permit https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2021/06/16/permitless-carry-texas-gov-greg-abbott-sign-bill-allow-handguns/7438186002/
Plus, with a straight face, Abbott announced Texas will build a wall on the southern border. Texans can kiss goodbye at least $250K in taxpayer funds, but it is highly doubtful Abbott intends to do any wall-building; he is playing to Trump’s immigrant-fearing base for votes, period. That’s why there are no details available on where the wall will be built, how many miles it will be, materials, total cost, etc. Not to mention the BIG issue—how the $%#@ any state can just decide to build a wall or in any way determine America’s foreign policy—which is a FEDERAL matter, for obvious reasons. Abbott’s public appeal for wall donations was hilarious; donors better read the fine-print to be sure the money can’t be siphoned off to pay Abbott’s campaign expenses. Gov. Greg Abbott announces Texas is providing initial $250 million “down payment” for border wall https://www.texastribune.org/2021/06/16/texas-border-wall-greg-abbott/
In Lakeway
Council next meets on Monday, June 21, 6:30pm.
This is an in-person meeting at City Hall. Comments can be submitted to Council beforehand, but no one can call in to participate. Citizens Participation requires attendance.
Mayor Kilgore immediately made good on his campaign promise to publish meeting info on the city website earlier than the 72 hours prior required by law. So, the Agenda and Meeting Packet went up last week on Tuesday morning, instead of skidding in on Friday night. Very nice!
The Agenda includes 30 items (with 226 pages in the Meeting Packet). Here’s my take on anything mildly interesting:
–Item 7 (part of the Consent Agenda) Making only specified committees subject to Texas Open Meetings Act, as allowed by state law. These would be the action committees (ZAPCO, CBC, BOA and Ethics). The advisory committees (such as Heritage, Arts, Parks and Rec, WAC, etc.) will be run less stringently, saving staff time and effort. I checked and was assured these Meetings will still be on the city calendar, and the public can still attend them.
–Item 11 Citizen’s Participation FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA. You know who you are…. This segment will be limited to 30 minutes total, with any additional people wanting to vent for 3 minutes on non-Agenda topics needing to wait until the end of the meeting. (This is still a kindness, as other administrations made EVERYONE wait until the bitter end.)
–Item 13 Disclosure of surveillance system–4 “safety cameras” operating in Rough Hollow. (Locations are shown on page 33 of the meeting packet.)
–Item 14 That 5.5 acre tract on Rupen is being looked at for development yet again, this time for 12 single family homes, R-1 zoning.
–Item 18 Special Use Permit for Village Square for a bakery known as Love and Cookies (It’s pretty much always a yes from me, when it comes to bakeries….)
–Item 19 Special Use Permit for Lohmans Crossing Shopping Center for a tea/baked goods/ice cream shop known as Pearl’s Tea Café (Yes again, from me….)
–Item 23 Adoption of First Amended and Restated Development Agreement for Rough Hollow Lakeway Highlands (page 114 of the Meeting Packet). Finally, something juicy. Legends wants a variance for all 68 homes in its Highlands Phase 3, Section 6B to allow front-facing garages so they can have 3-car garage auto-courts and still have large backyards. Problem is, these are R-1 homes, and they don’t qualify for a variance under the city’s rules. Plus, the city just spent over a year ironing out and supposedly settling everything so Legends could finally finish Rough Hollow (started in 1997) under a brand new agreement. Now, just a couple months later, Legends demands more concessions (and tried to sneak it through CBC). I don’t think so. Legends got VERY favorable treatment in the new agreement—more condos, and even a storage facility, both being BIG money-makers for them. Enough! Legends should be subject to the same rules applied to everyone else, and I strongly suspect all the folks who have been denied a front-facing garage variance agree with that.
–Item 24 Adoption of Development Agreement for 314 Clubhouse (page 177 of the Meeting Packet). Now in the ETJ, at Longwood, the 6.3 acre tract would be annexed to the city with 17 single-family homes built. Zoning would be R-2, they want front facing garages with no turnaround, 15’ set-back, building materials specified, zoning fees waived, developer has 5 years to begin construction.
–Item 25 Adoption of Development Agreement for East Side Landing by Legacy DCS (page 208 of the Meeting Packet). Now in the ETJ, near the western end of Flint Rock Road, the 43.88 acres would be annexed to the city. During the platting phase of development, a 100-foot right-of-way for the extension of Flint Rock Road would be dedicated to the City, allowing the proposed extension of Flint Rock Road to Bee Creek Road in accordance with the Thoroughfare Plan. The number of single-family homes is not specified. A portion would be R-1 zoning; another portion would be R-3 zoning (with front-facing garages). Building materials are specified; developer has 5 years to start and 10 years to complete.
–Item 26 Reviewing traffic rules for golf carts. (Meeting packet has the city’s current rules on page 233.) To summarize, as of NOW: driver must be licensed; allowed on roads posted at 30mph or less; only allowed during daylight hours; only allowed for transportation to/from a golf course; must use recreation lane or path when provided; and violations are subject to fines up to $500. There’s no indication as to whether current rules are being tightened or loosened.
–Item 27 Police chief advisory committee to be formed, being a search team composed of Mayor Kilgore and 2 council members to assist the City Manager in identifying and interviewing candidates to fill the vacancy.
–Executive Sessions: Item 28—ETJ; Item 29—police department; and Item 30–601 Dragon.
Go here for the Agenda and Meeting Packet— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
To send comments to Council beforehand (there is a 3pm deadline on the meeting date) about any agenda item, 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….
Back to normal due to being vaccinated isn’t all kittens, sunshine, and fresh-baked pie. No, there are also long-postponed dental appointments, home service calls, and other not very fun stuff.
I’m doing a lot of reading lately. Gotta recommend this one—Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service (2021), by Carol Leonnig. Everything I thought I knew about the Secret Service—how it began, what it does, training, standards, and the way it protects Presidents—was totally wrong. This book is scrupulously researched, but a lot of fascinating and frankly juicy details make it a good read. In the end, though, it exposes chasms of mismanagement, human foibles and cover-ups at the very top of our government, making the book terrifying in the way only factual accounts can be.
Completely different but also excellent was Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary (2021). Instead of being stranded on Mars, this time Weir’s science expert/hapless hero ends up in another solar system searching for a way to save Earth from a dying sun and bumping into intelligent alien life along the way. This book balances dire action with loads of humor and endless unexpected twists; it is the kind of read you happily lose sleep over. I wonder who will star in the movie version—maybe Nathan Fillian….
Lake Travis Community Library has both books.
This is such a lovely time to watch our precious deer! I see sweet does with new fawns on most morning walks, sometimes even twins (no more triplets, but see my last blog for photos of that encounter). Here are some recent photos.
Panda cub video update on Washington Zoo’s Xiao (AKA Biscuit):
–Xiao Qi Ji & Momma Togetherness 6/14/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROkQJipGSmk
–Giant panda cub, Xiao Qi Ji and his mother, Mei Xiang, playing 6/12/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ50i51bJ3c