Dear Daylight Savings Time,
I WANT MY HOUR BACK!
Also, if you stole an hour from MONDAY, no one would care. Also, why do ALL my kitchen appliances have clocks?
Sincerely,
Just another person struggling to re-set that weird clock in the den….
The Coronavirus
In the US
Positivity…. Optimism…. Trends in a good direction…. It took a full year, but things are looking up, according to most experts. A year ago, Dr. Anthony Fauci said that “things will get worse before they get better.” Looks like we are finally at the “getting better” part.
New cases are still falling—slower than desired, but definitely not surging. Right now, we are just below last summer’s awful peak, so we really need that number to keep dropping. Importantly, hospitalizations continue to plummet. Warm weather is here or on the way, encouraging more activity outside where infections happen far less.
Things to worry about include the variants, spring break travel (more people flew on March 12 than on any day in a year), and the several reckless governors opening up states completely and removing mask rules too early. (Gov. Abbott of Texas is a prime offender in that category; his pathetic need to cater to Trump by flipping off the Biden administration could cause a surge in Texas that delays the health and economic recovery we all want.) Also, testing has dropped sharply nationwide; if we are not testing, then our data is unreliable. Finally, Americans continue to die of Covid in droves–12,000 in the last week. Their families certainly are not feeling optimistic now.
The American Rescue Plan (with strong bipartisan support among the public) was passed in the House and Senate thanks to heroic efforts by the Democrats–and despite every single Republican in Congress voting against helping families and the economy recover from Covid. The President immediately signed it into law, and benefits are already rolling out. This bill provides direct payments, extension of unemployment benefits, health insurance subsidies, business aid, school funding, Covid vaccination and testing aid, funding for state and local governments, and MUCH MORE to fight Covid, assist families and build back the economy.
President Biden’s March 11 address acknowledged a full year of hardships and tragedy. As he said: “The past year was filled with the loss of life and the loss of living for all of us. … Over a year ago, no one could have imagined what we were about to go through, but now we’re coming through it.” He went on to explain our current improving situation and offer a plan of action to get the nation in a place to celebrate July 4 safely with family and friends, declaring independence from Covid. But, that goal can only be reached if we all work together. We all need to get vaccinated, wear masks and take other precautions— and encourage everyone we know to do the same. Biden Tells Nation There Is Hope After a Devastating Year 3/11/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/11/us/politics/biden-coronavirus.html
TEXAS continues best efforts to kill residents
As of March 12, Gov. Abbot dropped all Covid restrictions. All businesses are fully open. The mask mandate is rescinded. (Yes, Abbott IS up for re-election in 2022.) Gov. Greg Abbott ends statewide mask mandate, moves to open Texas 100%— actions at odds with health experts, federal officials https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2021/03/02/texas-covid-restrictions-governor-greg-abbott-news-conference-today-lubbock/6885317002/
If he had to jump the gun and open businesses 100%, at least that helps struggling companies and would just be the usual political nonsense. But, opening businesses makes masks MORE Important, to protect workers and to keep from spiking a surge and having to shut down all over again. There is just NO upside to dropping masks, except to allow selfish and ignorant people to crow about their freedom to sicken and kill the rest of us. Especially for essential workers (and everyone who now has to go back to work in suddenly opened up businesses and face an unmasked public), dropping the mask rule is a hazard. We are a couple months away from everyone being vaccinated, so why increase risk now, when we are so close to the finish line? The result could well be a Covid surge that would not only kill people, it would cause businesses to close again and further ravage our economy. Clearly, Abbott is trying to look defiant after having to ask for federal funds to bail Texas out of the February power grid disaster. And, as he struggles to build up GOP support for his 2022 re-election campaign, sabotaging the Biden administration’s request for masks during his first 100 days in office is a cheap way to cater to the Trump crowd. Unfortunately for Texas, saving lives is NOT Abbott’s priority. This image says it all….
Happily, local officials in Austin and Travis County are continuing their own mask mandate, despite the inevitable lawsuit by the state. The case won’t be heard for 2 weeks, and the district court ruled masks required in the interim. Delay lets Austin, Travis County enforce mask mandates for now 3/12/21https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/03/12/austin-mask-mandate-travis-county-judge-lora-livingston-texas-ken-paxton/4663189001/
Vaccinations–the safe path to herd immunity
As of March 13, 14% of American adults have been fully vaccinated (up from 6% as of Feb. 28.)
The Biden administration originally set a goal of 100 million shots in its first 100 days in office. Projections have that goal being met on March 19–well over a month EARLY. The pace of shots administered continues to ramp up, averaging well over 2 million per day. The goal is to reach 3 million shots per day by the end of March.
Among the recent glut of good news was President Biden’s announcement that America will have enough vaccine stock on hand to vaccinate ALL adults, as of the end of May. Accordingly, states have been instructed to make all adults eligible for shots by May 1, so everyone can get scheduled. To assist in administering shots, the federal government will be recruiting medical personnel out of retirement, training volunteers, and sending FEMA staffers to the states, as needed. Also, a federal database is being created, to ease registration and scheduling.
In addition, the U.S. has contracted to purchase an additional 100 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the summer. That stock will be available to inoculate children, once the FDA approves it. In Texas, vaccination performance continues to underwhelm, ranking bottom of the barrel among the 50 states. So far, just 5 million Texans have gotten a shot, with just over half that amount fully vaccinated. Great–only 25 million Texans to go…. With countless people in the 1A and 1B groups still unable to get appointments, Texas opened availability to those 50 and older starting March 15. (That’s me—yippee!) Yet, Texas refuses to help essential workers get vaccinated. (I’m sure Gov. Abbott has more campaign donors in their 50s than working in essential jobs, so the policy makes sense for him.) Why does Texas rank near last in percentage of residents vaccinated against COVID-19? 3/14/21 https://www.statesman.com/story/news/coronavirus/2021/03/14/covid-vaccine-why-does-texas-rank-low-vaccination-rates/6943753002/
In Travis County, just under 100,000 people are fully vaccinated. City of Lakeway has a survey running, to see how many people in the Lake Travis area need a shot, in order to gauge demand for a local mass vaccination event. That would likely be held at BSW Medical Center here in Lakeway. Stay tuned…. Go here to take the quick survey—https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/laketravisvaccinationsurvey
Need help getting a vaccination appointment? Check out this article–Flustered vaccine seekers in Central Texas turn to Kendra’s Covid Coaches to navigate appointment process 3/4/21https://www.statesman.com/story/lifestyle/2021/03/04/vaccine-seekers-turn-kendras-covid-coaches-navigate-appointment-process/6904656002/
Recent Covid articles I recommend….
—How America’s Covid Nightmare Ends 1 hour podcast. Dr. Ashish Jha joins Ezra Klein for an upbeat and informative discussion of our immediate future 3/12/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/12/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-ashish-jha.html
—One in three Americans has lost someone to Covid 3/6/21 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/obituaries/people-died-coronavirus-obituaries.html
—The short-term, middle-term, and long-term future of the coronavirus 3/4/21 https://www.statnews.com/2021/03/04/the-short-term-middle-term-and-long-term-future-of-the-coronavirus/
—How Close is the Pandemic’s End? The Daily’s 30 minute podcast discusses reasons why the US has seen the 3rd surge stall right now, detailing each of the variants, comparing Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine to the other 2 vaccines now in use, and prospects for actually taming Covid. 3/4/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/04/podcasts/the-daily/coronavirus-vaccines-variants.html?rref=vanity
—One and Done: Why People Are Eager for Johnson & Johnson’s Vaccine 3/4/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/04/health/covid-vaccine-johnson-and-johnson-rollout.html
—How to Protect Yourself Against Coronavirus Variants 3/3/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/03/opinion/contributors/protect-against-coronavirus-variants.html
—Here is how Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine differs from Pfizer’s and Moderna’s 2/28/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/28/us/jj-vaccine-pfizer-moderna-differences.html
On the national stage
Dare mighty things–update
Perseverance on Mars—testing the robot is going well.
In Texas
The week that Texas froze solid
Just an update on the Texas power grid disaster that killed over 100 people in February. Adding insult—and fraud—to injury…. It turns out that ERCOT overcharged for energy during the storm, failing to lower rates as the storm abated and use dropped. The result was $16 BILLION in excess charges to consumers. In any other state, those excess charges would be refunded, as a matter of common decency and good business. Not in Texas. Nope—the Public Utility Commission decided that would be too difficult. After all, everything is bigger in Texas—including utility bills during an emergency, and the fraud and corruption.
Regarding the Texas state legislature, the good news is that it is in session only 120 days every TWO years. The bad news is that we are right in the middle of a session. Its hearings on the disaster have accomplished nothing other than public whining about how expensive it would be to harden the grid so that it functioned reliably in winter. Most members of ERCOT and the Public Utilities Commission governing it have resigned, which gives cover to those really to blame. Abbott will replace those people with others of the same ilk, and nothing will change. The next big storm will be even worse, and more Texans will die than in 1989, 2011, and 2021, all because Republicans simply cannot be taught that climate change is real.
Also, of course, Ted Cruz is STILL a walking and smirking abomination.
Finally, Abbott’s pathetic performance as governor means that pretty much anyone (EXCEPT Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick) would be an improvement. Possible challengers include actor Matthew McConaughey (no thank you–governing done well is not a hobby for dilettantes) and former US Representative Beto O’Rourke (yes, please—Texas needs at least ONE senior political leader it can be proud of).
Nothing will change UNTIL Texans vote for decent candidates and turn the state BLUE.
In Lakeway
Nothing is happening yet regarding Lakeway’s May 1 election, other than candidate signs sprouting up along major roads and in yards. A candidate forum or two should be scheduled soon.
Council’s March 1 meeting was a snooze, as predicted. Well, far as the public knows, anyway. The secret executive session (on the police department, per the agenda) lasted 90 minutes–longer than the rest of the meeting combined.
Council meets on Monday, March 15, 6:30pm. Online only. The agenda includes 2 items from the storm-cancelled Feb. 16 meeting. The most notable regards the proposed Cherry Knoll development on Flint Rock Road, item 7 this time. Request is for a zoning change from the current R-1 and C-1 to creation of a Planned Unit Development. Having settled a long-running lawsuit with the city, Developer Legacy DCS wants to build 126 detached single-family homes on 25 acres, with several variances. This development is designed to serve the adjacent hospital complex, and the proposal is more in line with Lakeway’s usual requirements than the recent one for apartments. But, nearby homeowners are objecting over density and traffic. In addition, in item 10, the historic and decrepit Liebelt Cabin is back under consideration. At the Dec. 7, 2020, meeting, Council approved spending $14,000 for repairs. (Note: the request then was for restoration work estimated at a shocking $125,000.) Restoration work now suggested is estimated at $54,000, and it looks like they want to spend up to $17,000 in city funds and apply for local grant funding to cover the rest.
Go here for the Agenda and Meeting Packet— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
To send comments to Council beforehand and/or request to speak in person at the meeting (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….
What a difference a month makes! Mid-February dumped 6” of snow on us, and now the fruit trees are blossoming all over Lakeway.
My mom’s birthday was March 11. She would have been 82. I tell myself she would have hated living through Trump’s mad reign and the pandemic, but still…. Deanna Davis-Turner died July 3, 2016, from lung cancer, even though she stopped smoking cold-turkey back in 1993. I’m sure there are worse ways to go, but struggling for every breath is right up there, especially since deep down she felt she did it to herself. People think they can stop smoking “later” and it will be fine. STOP NOW–and pray it saves your life.
Also, Peanut had her annual vet visit last week. Guess what—even cats gain weight during Covid….
Deer sightings have been few and far between lately, which happens this time of year. Maybe they are off on spring break….. I have been sorting my 2020 photos, so here are a few favorites—wee fawns this time.
Panda cub update on Washington Zoo’s Xiao (AKA Biscuit):
Rolling and playing outside with Mom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNsg9dTsYyc
Romping indoors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2uMMqBkMN4
Having fun in the yard with Mom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nuc4FdlmNdc