May Ukraine Have Peaceful Skies Again.
This blog STARTS with a special section dedicated to the upcoming Lakeway Local Election. This is critical to our city, so it gets top billing. I wish it were more upbeat, but all the pleasant Lakeway doings are covered here, as usual, just under the Election section.
May 4 LOCAL ELECTION
Well, it is that time. Lakeway’s LOCAL ELECTION is looming, so for the next few blogs it gets a section of its own.
Early voting starts April 22, with Election Day on Saturday, May 4.
There are 3 things going on during this election—3 Council seats get filled, a $22MIL Parks bond gets voted up or down, and 2 Lake Travis ISD Board seats get filled.
COUNCIL
Three Council seats are open. Four candidates are running. The 3 getting the most votes will win. WATCH FUTURE BLOGS for updates on the candidates, info on forums, links to media Q&As, etc.
In past election cycles, this blog featured candidate bios and questionnaires, and my comments remained objective until just prior to voting when I added my own opinions. That isn’t possible this time, when we have fewer decent candidates than seats that will be filled regardless. Worse—one of the candidates would be a disastrous choice..
I am not the only resident who watches city government like a hawk, but we are a small group. Believe me when I say that Council meetings since the last 2 elections have been painful to watch; due to the inexperience, lack of decorum, and obvious fealty to special interests displayed by certain members, Council barely functions at this time.
Of the 4 candidates running, Matt Sherman is far and away the best choice. Matt is a bright and driven advocate for Lakeway, plus he already has experience in high-level city matters (see below). Kelly Brynteson and Jennifer Szimanski being re-elected is all but a given, since no one ran to replace them. Electing Chris Levy would be catastrophic, tipping Council over to complete mayhem and a body that serves developers, special interests and Lakeway’s elite, at the cost of the rest of us—the home owners and businesses that fund the city and do our best to practice decency, fairness and transparency, along with the volunteers who have served Lakeway for decades. (Much more on Mr. Levy follows, below.)
Matt Sherman is a 5-year Lakeway resident living in The Preserve. He now serves as Chair of the Comprehensive Plan Committee, as well as a Commissioner on the Zoning and Planning Commission. (Image credit: Matt Sherman for Council.) His campaign website and Facebook page have considerable informative content and are here: https://www.mattshermanforlakeway.com/ https://www.facebook.com/mattshermanforlakeway
Kelly Brynteson is a 16-year Lakeway resident living in Flintrock, currently seeking a second term. (Image credit: City of Lakeway.) Her Facebook page and official bio are here: https://www.facebook.com/kellyforlakeway https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2007/Councilmember-Kelly-Brynteson
Jennifer Szimanski is a 12-year Lakeway resident living in Rough Hollow, currently seeking a second term. (Image credit: City of Lakeway.) Her Facebook page and official bio are here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077428167465 https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2006/Councilmember-Jennifer-Szimanski
Chris Levy is a 16-year Lakeway resident living in Old Lakeway. This candidate has ZERO experience serving the city in any capacity. He has a campaign website and a campaign Facebook page but makes them accessible only to his friends–everyone else is blocked. So, he isn’t interested in informing voters or attracting new supporters. Imagine how that attitude would translate to City Hall were he to win.… With that kind of opaque and insulated campaign, we could forget about transparency in government, right?
So, now I’m going to tell you a story. It is so weird, you’ll know it is true.
Back in 2017, a group of Lakeway residents living in the oldest part of town, near the Inn and Airpark where Lakeway’s residences were first built, decided to ask the city to officially designate the area as “Old Lakeway.” They wanted to recognize the historical significance of the First 300—those homes built back in the 1960s, as well as the other lovely older homes in that area–and honor their historical significance and charm. The result is seen today in the “Old Lakeway” plaques (shown above) attached to street signs in the heart to Lakeway.
But, someone really HATED this idea. He lived within the designated area and went to an early resident meeting discussing the project. Things got ugly, confrontational even, when the good folks there didn’t agree with him. He stomped out and continued arguing with someone in the parking lot, then got in his car and muttered invectives to himself before (still recording) calling a pal to vent, in a most unneighborly fashion. (He mentioned to his pal that he had recorded everything.)
At some point, he uploaded the ENTIRE recording (over an hour) to YouTube. Much later, he removed it, but it had already been downloaded by 1 or more Lakeway residents. Now, the full recording and a transcript of the most shocking segment are circulating.
I pulled out some of his comments to his pal on the phone. They are full of hate toward his neighbors, making fun of them for being older folks and denigrating their homes as %$@#holes. It is all below, directly from the recording he made and uploaded, for whatever bizarre reason…. I have heard all the recordings. I decided not to upload them here, because they feature and identify other people, who didn’t know they were being recorded. It will all be widely available, soon enough.
Unfortunately, I happen to know this individual and recognize his voice as well as his deplorable attitude. I already knew that Chris Levy is not someone I want at City Hall making decisions for Lakeway. Soon, all residents need to make a decision on that, and vote accordingly. Consider how he treated his close neighbors and decide whether you want someone with his attitude on Council, controlling your city.
One last thing. Levy is already playing the victim here, whining that he has changed since 2017. Don’t buy it. The guy on the recordings is the same guy who for many years and TO THIS DAY causes trouble wherever he can–on social media, in the polling place parking lot, in court suing the city, on and on. In my experience, he is mean, he is a bully, he oozes grievance and entitlement, and there is nothing that he won’t do to get his way. All that makes Chris Levy Lakeway’s worst nightmare.
In his own words:
CHRIS LEVY: “I went to this meeting, what they did was they took this first development neighborhood in Lakeway, right? And this group of people who own these 1971, pre-71 homes, you know, like the least valuable homes in Lakeway. And they created this thing called Old Lakeway. They got the city to let them put signs up in our neighborhood that now declare our neighborhood as Old Lakeway. And so they have also come up with this concept called the Lakeway 300, which are basically the first 300 homes built in Lakeway, pre-April 71. They’re the least valuable homes in Lakeway, these 300 homes.”
CHRIS LEVY: “And dude, I got to tell you, a lot of my rich neighbors, we’re thinking about getting a lawyer and suing this guy.”
CHRIS LEVY: “And I have it all recorded. I’ll let you listen to it. I’ll send you the file because, dude, they jumped on me with knives when I started to point out what they were doing was going to be… They basically hate rich people and they hate our generation and they hate Rough Hollow. They hate The Hills and they hate new homes. And basically, because they all own these $300,000 shithole homes that are 46 years old, they don’t want people building new homes around them. But what they don’t realize is the new homes are what make their homes valuable.”
CHRIS LEVY: “Yeah. There were 22 people there. Half of them were senior citizens.”
PARKS BOND
Lakeway Council voted unanimously at its Feb. 5 meeting to put a $22MIL parks bond on the May ballot.
In summary, the funds would be used on 5 of our parks. Our long-time favorite recreational areas, City Park and the Swim Center, would get much-needed renovations and upgrades, so they can serve the city’s growing population well into the future. The Activity Center would get minor updates. The Live Oak Tennis Courts would be expanded. Finally, brand new Butler Park in Rough Hollow would be built from the ground up, providing families on that side of town with a wide variety of conveniently located recreational opportunities. See the chart above for a breakdown per park.
The $22MIL bond will add about $100 to the annual property tax bill on a home valued around $750K (the average here).
I see this as a legacy—what current residents will leave for our kids, grandkids, and all future residents of Lakeway. I moved here in 2009, but I have read and heard about all the kerfuffle that accompanied creation of City Park, Hamilton Greenbelt, the Activity Center, the Swim Center, etc. People ranted that each of those was TOO MUCH MONEY, NOT NEEDED, CRAZY OVERREACH, blah, blah, blah. And yet, now that we have these amazing amenities, they are used and beloved by an enormous number of residents. They play a large part in making Lakeway a wonderful place to live. Can anyone really imagine Lakeway WITHOUT the Greenbelts? WITHOUT the Activity Center? WITHOUT City Park? For me, that would be a sadly depleted Lakeway. I’m willing to pay a little more in property taxes, to refresh and expand our parkland legacy and enrich Lakeway’s future.
The city has gathered info on the bond here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2162/2024-Parks-Bond
LTISD School Board Election
There are 2 contested seats this year. Incumbents Lauren White https://www.facebook.com/laurenwhiteforlaketravis and Phillip Davis https://www.facebook.com/Vote4PhillipDavis are seeking another term. Both are supported by Lake Travis Voices for Progress, in order to block the far-right Lake Travis Families PAC from controlling all 7 seats on the Board.
Phillip Davis and Lauren White both OPPOSE book banning; they are the ONLY Board members who voted AGAINST banning books in actions taken by LTISD to date. They OPPOSE school vouchers. They are fighting for literacy, instead of wasting money on political stunts, and they are working to keep our tax dollars in Lake Travis ISD.
If you agree these things are vital, VOTE to Re-Elect Lauren White and Phillip Davis. Even better—SUPPORT them so they can continue fighting for our kids. (Their opponents are being showered with money from Lake Travis Families PAC, just like in the last couple elections.) Here is a link with more info, videos AND the fundraiser hosted by Lake Travis Voices for Progress so you can easily make a donation: https://www.betterunite.com/ltv4p-2024ltisdschoolboardelection?fbclid=IwAR1qDom7gIn1a7wuLvBwhNRoNoiCWVCHjEkXdmkMHU7u-e2WQv5-T2VGpDc
Here is what ELSE is happening in Lakeway….
Art at the Library
During March, the meeting room at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing) showcases Women in Photography. Celebrating Women’s History Month with Lakeway Arts District, the exhibit features local photographers whose work speaks to the female experience and explores themes of equality, voting rights, health, beauty, motherhood, and more.
Lake Travis Democrats Club
March 19: Monthly Meeting, 6:30PM. NOTE: To accommodate more people, this meeting has been MOVED TO THE LA QUINTA HOTEL (1943 Medical Drive, near HEB). Speaker is Wendy Davis: the former State Senator and warrior for Texas women’s health and reproductive rights discusses her new role at Planned Parenthood Texas Votes.
Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for details and more activities each month.
Become a Democratic Precinct Chair!
If you can spare a few hours per month, you can really make a difference in 2024—a HUGE election year! The Travis County Democratic Party will train you, and you will have a support system from local precinct chairs in our Super Precinct. There are 6 local precincts that need a chair:
- 293 (Bee Cave).
- 364 (Falconhead West, Majestic Hills, Serene Hills, Fox Creek Estates, La Capana goes over to LTHS).
- 365 (North side of Hwy 71 near Lake Travis Middle School includes Bee creek Vistas, Bowden, Travis Settlement, Crosswind).
- 370 (Buffalo Gap west of 620 and East side of 620 including Cardinal Hills Estates, Apache Shores, Yacht Harbor).
- 371 (North Lakeway 620 near Randall’s The Vistas of Lakeway, Travis Oak Trails, Cardinal Hills, Arbolago. Borders Kollmeyer).
- 374 (North Lakeway, Hurst Creek Road area).
If you live in one of the above areas, contact Carrie Jones at P362@traviscountydemocrats.org to learn more.
Kid Camps—Spring Break AND Summer—at Lakeway Activity Center.
Sign up NOW, as camps fill up fast. Go Here and click on the Youth Camps tab: www.lakeway-tx.gov/catalog
EGGSTRAVAGANZA
On Saturday, March 23, bring the tots to City Park for this FREE annual event featuring egg hunts for every age group, prizes, vendors, petting zoo, bubble station, chalk art, face painting, and more. Starts at 2PM, with age-limited hunts starting every 15 minutes. Be sure to be present and ready to go for your child’s age-matched group. More info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/717/Eggstravaganza
ArtWalk–Artist registration deadline EXTENDED TO March 24.
Deadline for local artists to apply has been extended to March 24. Register to participate here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2129/ArtWalk
April 19-21, City of Lakeway and its Arts Committee will bring us the FIRST ANNUAL ARTWALK! The FREE event will showcase art, music, food, community and culture in Lakeway, taking place in the Hamilton Greenbelt, Hurst Creek Sculpture Garden, and various local art studios. It will feature vocal, dance and instrumental performers, along with those in the culinary arts and visual arts and crafts.
Household Hazardous Waste Day
On Wednesday, March 27, from 9:30AM-12:30PM, FREE drop-off for hazardous items is available to residents of Lakeway, Bee Cave and The Hills, plus customers of WCID 17, Hurst Creek MUD, and Lakeway MUD. Bring photo ID or water bill to show eligibility. Location is Lake Travis Regional Reuse & Recycling Center (3207 Neidhardt Dr.). RESERVATIONS are required. Items MUST be in original labeled containers. Paint accepted per household is limited to 30 one-gallon containers. Check here for lists of accepted items and DISALLOWED items AND to make your reservation: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACA728A1F4C07-48253369-household#/
Garage Sale at Lakeway Activity Center
The next community garage sale is Saturday, April 6 from 8AM to noon. Admission is FREE, but in the LAC lobby you can drop off non-perishable/canned food items, as well as pet food, to be donated to local food banks and charities. You can also donate new or gently used children’s books, for the Free Little Books bin at the entrance. Want to sell stuff? Booths are 10’X10’ and include a 6’ x 3’ foot table and 2 chairs. LAC members pay $30 per booth; Non-Members pay $35 per booth (starting March 12). Call 512-261-1010 for info. See booth locations and register online registration here (in the Garage Sale tab): https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog
Solar Eclipse
Lakeway is hosting an outside viewing party, on Monday, April 8, 1PM in the Activity Center parking lot. Go here for info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2081/Solar-Eclipse
Austin is right on the edge, but Lakeway is well inside the totality corridor for the April 8 total solar eclipse. At about 1:30PM on April 8, Lakeway will have over 3 minutes of total darkness, as the moon passes across the sun. (Image credit: GreatAmericanEclipse.com.) Total solar eclipse April 2024: 10 of the biggest cities within in the path of totality 1/2/ 24 https://www.space.com/total-solar-eclipse10-of-biggest-cities-in-path-of-totality-april-8-2024
Beautify Lakeway for EARTH DAY
Volunteer to plant flowers at the Lakeway Swim Center, on Monday, April 22. 11AM. Everything you need will be provided, plus snacks. Go here for full info and to register: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1838/Earth-Day
$1,000 Scholarships for Lakeway Seniors
Waste Connections again offers $1,000 Scholarships to eligible high school seniors whose parent/guardian is a customer in good standing of trash and recycling services with the City of Lakeway. Deadline for essays and applications is April 22. Go here for full info on eligibility and how to apply: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1993/Waste-Connections-Scholarship
Looking for a way to help locally? Consider 12:31.
12:31 is a LOCAL, registered, 501(c)(3), serving students and families within LTISD. (Tax ID number–EIN: 88-2279325.) With over 7,000 members, it was created by Mike Dahlhauser. Mission statement:
We believe that people aren’t meant to go through life alone.
We believe that communities are stronger when they work together for the collective good.
We believe that communities thrive when all the members of the community feel cared for, included, and valued.
By providing tangible opportunities for members of the community to get involved, and connected to those around them, we create an environment that fosters meaningful connections, and genuine relationships.
Through various programs and initiatives, and through general community outreach, we are able to mobilize the community as a whole, to meet the needs of the individual. Go here to join the Facebook group and see what you can do for our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/twelve31
Spirit of Freedom Monument
Lakeway Veterans who served in official periods of armed conflict like the Vietnam War or Gulf War can have their names included on the Spirit of Freedom Monument located in Lakeway Heritage Park. Applications are now being accepted for additions to the monument for recognition on Veterans Day in 2024. Deadline to apply is July 5, 2024. The fee ranges from $325-$425. Call 512-314-7530 or go here for info and a link to the application: https://lakeway-tx.gov/97/Heritage-Center-Park
Council met on March 4.
Six members attended the meeting, all in person. Councilmember Szimanski was absent. RESULTS:
–ITEM 3: Appointing Kathleen Coble as Associate Municipal Judge. APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
–ITEM 5: Lakeway MUD Update. NO ACTION TAKEN. [But the water situation is dire for this summer and fall; expect ALL Lakeway area MUDs to move to Stage 3 and possibly Stage 4, with LITTLE OR NO OUTSIDE IRRIGATION allowed.]
–ITEM 6: Parks Plan Update, related to the Parks Bond on the May ballot. NO ACTION TAKEN. [See attached image as to features changes in the 5 parks, with current estimated costs at $21,993,427.]
–ITEM 7: License Plate Recognition (LPR) Draft Policy. After a presentation from Police Chief Koen and some discussion, Council APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY an LPR Pilot Program (using existing vehicle cameras plus static cameras to be obtained) to begin as soon as possible, with performance review (as to cost, utility, data privacy, etc.) at the regular meeting in December of 2024.
–ITEM 8: Discussion of Appointment Procedures for Zoning and Planning Commission Members. [Actually, the Agenda’s heading for this item was misleading. Councilmember O’Brien’s report, in the Meeting Packet, never mentioned Zoning and Planning and stated his demand that ALL COMMITTEES, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS be reconstituted as to membership, not just ZAPCO. So, this covers Arts, Heritage, Wildlife, etc., everything that volunteers are now handling for Lakeway.] WITHDRAWN prior to the meeting by Councilmember O’Brien. [Watch for this disingenuous item to show up on the agenda for the next Council meeting.]
–Addendum ITEM A.1: Awarding Contract for Comprehensive Plan. After discussion, Council APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY awarding the contract to Lionheart Places (budgeted amount is $250,000).
ADJOURNED at 8:23PM.
View the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx Go here to watch the Council meeting online: https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/298963
Council next meets on March 18.
About a week prior, the Agenda will be posted here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
State of the City Address
If you missed the City Manager’s March 7 event, go here to watch the recording: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2166/State-of-The-City-Address
Daring Mighty Things
Originally, astronauts “did it in their spacesuits.” Now, bathroom amenities in space are pretty impressive. Everything you want to know—and possibly more—is in this article. (Image credit: Daisy Dobrijevic produced in Canva.) How do astronauts use the bathroom in space? 3/4/24 https://www.space.com/how-do-astronauts-go-to-bathroom-in-space-toilet-guide
NASA wants YOU. Well, it wants you IF you can meet their astronaut qualifications: 1–US citizen; 2– Master’s degree in a STEM field; 3—Minimum of 3 years related professional experience after degree completion; and 4—Able to successfully complete the NASA long-duration flight astronaut physical. This new class of astronauts will fly to the moon and on to Mars. Don’t dawdle; deadline to apply is April 2. (Image credit: NASA TV.) Fly me to the moon: NASA accepting astronaut application 3/6/24 https://www.space.com/nasa-astronaut-recruitment-moon-mars-2024
Last week, off the coast of San Diego, Artemis astronauts practiced splashdown procedures with NASA crew and Navy crew members. (Image credit: U.S. Navy/Petty Officer 2nd Class Connor Burns.) The Underway Recovery Test 11 ran over several days and included helicopters, rescue divers, a military ship and hundreds of people united to practice getting the astronauts safely out of the water upon return to Earth. A crewed Artemis 2 mission is scheduled to lift off for the moon in fall of 2025. Get to the choppa! Artemis 2 moon astronauts practice splashdown with U.S. Navy 2/29/24 https://www.space.com/artemis-2-astronauts-splashdown-us-navy-nasa
IT LIVES! Japan’s lunar lander is resting on its nose after an awkward landfall in February, but it survived the 2-week long lunar night. Jaxa’s handlers report current communications, both back to Earth and with its 2 mini-rovers, which are scurrying around up there. (Image Credit: ZAXA/TOMY Company/Sony Group Corp./Doshisha.) It’s alive! JAXA’s SLIM moon lander sends home new photos after surviving frigid lunar night 2/26/24 https://www.space.com/japan-slim-moon-lander-wakeup-lunar-night
“Good night, Odie.” Odysseus, the Intuitive Machines craft that toppled over after its Feb. 22 soft-landing on the moon, struggled to survive with damaged antennas and a misaligned solar array. (Selfie Image credit: Intuitive Machines via X.) Called “Odie” by its handlers, the robotic lander shut down on Feb. 29 as the dark and frigid lunar night hit its location. They hope Odie is merely napping and will try to wake the robot when lunar noon rolls around mid-March. Goodnight, Odysseus. Intuitive Machines’ private moon lander goes offline — but could it rise again? 2/29/24 https://www.space.com/intuitive-machines-odysseus-moon-lander-shuts-down
Musk gets spanked—again—by the FAA. SpaceX’s Starship and Super Heavy booster are designed to be the world’s most powerful rocket, capable of hauling up to 165 tons (150 metric tons) into orbit. NASA has picked Starship to land its next astronauts on the moon in the Artemis 3 mission in 2026. But, first, SpaceX must successfully launch an uncrewed Starship on at least a near-orbital flight, something its first two test flights in 2023 spectacularly failed to do. As a result of the second explosive failure, the FAA’s mishap investigation required Space-X to make 17 corrective actions for before its next launch; those actions include 10 fixes on the 165-foot-tall starship vehicle and seven on the Super Heavy booster. To date, those have not been completed. Last week, the gleaming, stainless-steel Starship rocket and its Super Heavy booster were filled with more than 10 million pounds of liquid methane and liquid oxygen propellant during the recent launch dress rehearsal, performed at SpaceX’s Starbase facility near Boca Chica Beach in southern Texas. But, actual flight awaits FAA approval. Musk says he will have a Go For Launch by March 14. We’ll see. (Image credit: SpaceX) SpaceX fuels up massive Starship megarocket in test for 3rd launch 3/4/24 https://www.space.com/spacex-fuels-starship-megarocket-ahead–of-3rd-test-launch
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
Ooh-la-la! Want to be guaranteed the right to make your own decisions about reproductive health? Move to France. Last week, France became the first nation in the world to include a guaranteed right to abortion access in its Constitution. As stated by the Prime Minister: “Your body belongs to you and no one has the right to control it in your stead.” Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly for the amendment, 780-72, in response to concerns about the bizarre loss of rights in America. So, no French equivalent of Justices Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Roberts and Barrett can persecute women. (Image Credit: Reuters.) French lawmakers make abortion a constitutional right 3/4/24 https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-lawmakers-hold-vote-make-abortion-constitutional-right-2024-03-04/
Oklahoma legislators are threatening to pass a bill establishing a database of all residents getting abortions. Doctors would be required to supply the information to the state, in violation of the usual medical confidentiality, or face fines and loss of license. In addition, the bill would ban contraceptive options including IUDs and Plan B. The state already outlaws all abortions except when necessary to save the life of the mother, without exceptions for rape or incest. Oklahoma Pols Want a Database of Everyone Who Has an Abortion 2/20/24 https://www.thedailybeast.com/oklahoma-pols-want-a-database-of-everyone-who-has-an-abortion
We know the horrors women now face when trying to obtain an abortion for medical reasons. After nearly 2 years without Constitutional protection for women to make decisions regarding their own bodies, their doctors are in an impossible situation. State laws often give fetuses—even those with no chance of survival—priority over their at-risk mothers. Women diagnosed with aggressive cancer while pregnant cannot receive life-saving chemotherapy. Doctors and hospital who intervene risk dire legal consequences. Their States Banned Abortion. Doctors Now Say They Can’t Give Women Potentially Lifesaving Care 2/26/24 https://www.propublica.org/article/abortion-doctor-decisions-hospital-committee
NOT IN TEXAS, of course. But, the 2 largest pharmacy chains in the US will start dispensing the abortion pill mifepristone in March. CVS and Walgreens make the medication available in stores in a handful of states at first (New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California and Illinois), gradually expanding to other states where abortion remains legal. They will NOT be providing the medication by mail. CVS and Walgreens will start selling the abortion pill mifepristone 3/1/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/03/health/abortion-pill-cvs-walgreens-pharmacies.html
UPDATE on Alabama’s Supreme Court declaration in February that fertilized eggs are children, for legal purposes, fulfilling fears that the Dobbs abortion decision doomed in vitro fertilization. The last blog noted the above decision, which caused fertility clinics in Alabama to shut down immediately. Last week, the Alabama legislature hastily passed a bill aimed at protecting in vitro fertilization patients and providers from legal liability. However, the new law does not address the issue of personhood that is at the heart of the court decision, causing the effort to fall short of providing the legal protection needed to resume care. Plus, REPUBLICANS IN THE US CONGRESS HAVE A PENDING BILL THAT WOULD ESTABLISH PERSONHOOD AT CONCEPTION, NATIONWIDE, AS WELL AS BANNING ALL METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION. So, don’t believe a word they say. Alabama governor signs IVF protection bill into law, but experts say it will take more work to protect fertility services 3/7/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/06/us/alabama-ivf-fertility-protection/index.html
Back to me….
I’ve been sick, apparently catching poll plague while working Early Voting at LAC in the Primary Election. One day I feel pretty good, then the next day I crash. I’ve tested negative for Covid multiple times so I guess it is just a nasty cold. FYI—check your medicine chest. I haven’t been sick in ages, since before Covid times, so all my cold meds were expired—and not by months, by YEARS.
The cats are all on nursing duty. Tulip is Chief Care Provider, of course, running the show. Senior Cat Maxie is Supervisor, and Junior Cat Peanut is Candystriper.
I haven’t felt up to long walks lately, but here are a few new deer photos. In most of the shots, you can really see the roughed-up coats they sport this time of year.
Coronavirus Update
The winter surge (WHAT winter???) continues to recede. As of Feb. 17, the New York Times correlated the CDC’s statistics for the US. Across the country, a daily average of 4,774 people were being hospitalized for lab-confirmed Covid-19, which is a 7% DROP from 2 weeks ago. Total hospitalizations for lab-confirmed Covid-19 sank by 14% over that time to 19,456 Americans. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/us/covid-cases.html
The CDC recently relaxed its Covid-19 guidelines, removing the instruction about isolating for 5 days after a positive test. Instead, you can return to daily activities as long as you have gone 24 hours without a fever (and without taking anti-fever meds) and your symptoms are improving. This also applies to flu and RSV, and the CDC hopes the simplification will further overall compliance. Because you may well be contagious, you are urged to minimize risk to others by limiting close contact, wearing well-fitted masks, improving indoor air quality, and practicing good hygiene (washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes)—all for the 5 days you would have been in isolation under the old guidelines. (See the article listed below for more info.)
Americans age 65 and older should get ANOTHER dose of the updated vaccination this spring. This is the case EVEN if you got the shot last fall when it came out (if 4 or more months have gone by). The recommendation is based on the fact that most—by far—serious hospitalizations and deaths from Covid these days are seen in those age 65 and up. Another dose will help protect those at high risk. (See the article listed below for more info.)
REMINDER—ANYONE who never got the updated Covid booster should get it now. Shots are available at local pharmacies. But, if you do catch Covid, consider taking Paxlovid. It prevents severe illness and death in people at high risk; studies show it is effective in nearly 75% of cases. And “high risk” covers most American adults, including those with depression, obesity, asthma or a history of smoking. Anyone age 50 or older should take Paxlovid, regardless of health status. Lots more good info in this article: I Have Covid. Should I Take Paxlovid? 1/11/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/well/covid-paxlovid-treatment.html
Recent Covid-19 Articles
—CDC shortens 5-day COVID isolation, updates guidance on masks and testing in new 2024 recommendations 3/1/24 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-covid-recommendations-isolation-masks-tests/
—Older U.S. adults should get another COVID-19 shot, health officials recommend 2/28/24 https://www.npr.org/2024/02/28/1234749300/older-us-adults-covid-vaccine
—Your 2024 Guide to Covid Symptoms and Treatment 2/26/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/26/well/covid-symptoms-treatment.html