Banning mask mandates
A new executive order signed by Governor Greg Abbott takes effect on Friday banning governments and public schools from mandating masks. Once again, it’s running counter to Austin’s latest directive from health authority Mark Escott, who says unvaccinated people are still required to cover their face.
“So when they’re in a public place, when they’re visiting others, when they’re at private gatherings, any of those circumstances, they should be wearing a mask,” says Escott.
Austin Public Health says it’s currently reviewing Abbot’s order. Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Austin Mayor Steve Adler accused Abbott of putting politics over public health. Abbott says public schools can still require masks through June 4.
Teachers against Abbott’s policies
The Texas State Teachers Association remains highly critical of the way Governor Abbott has handled the pandemic. Spokesman Clay Robinson says the Governor should not be barring public schools from forcing students to wear masks.
“Masking and social distances should still be required and practiced in public schools for the main reason that a lot of school students have not been vaccinated,” says Robinson.
And he says most students won’t be vaccinated until the next school year begins. He wants Abbott to instead wait for the CDC To issue guidelines for public schools and then follow that direction.
Cap Metro at 100%
Beginning today, Capital Metro has resumed operations at 100% capacity. All buses, trains and other transit vehicles will be open for full occupancy. With the exception of Metro Access, which is a ride sharing service designed for people with disabilities. Cap Metro will continue requiring masks for riders and staff.
COVID-19 update
Just a day after dropping into Stage 2 COVID restrictions, Austin has seen another pretty good decline in numbers almost across the board. active cases down by about 40 from a day ago to 543. Total hospitalizations are down to only 81 and recoveries are now at 82,000. Since the pandemic began, 83,400 cases have been reported.
Driskill Hotel fire
An arrest has been made in connection to a fire monday at the Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin. Austin Fire says William Nichols allegedly set fire to the 10th floor room after spending 16 days there. Nichols had already caught a flight to Houston by the time he was identified, but he was arrested when he landed at Hobby Airport. Nichols is 77 years old and could face 5 to 99 years in prison.
Designated Campsites
City staffers share with the Austin City Council 45 locations that may be used as designated campsites. That’s down from 70 possible locations. City Manager Spencer Cronk says the next steps will involve sites being taken off the list and council adding more back on for consideration.
“And we’re going to be following up with each of you individually to look at other potential sites in your district. Those may not be city owned properties, but maybe you have a relationship with a private landowner,” says Cronk.
Already some on council have a problem with using certain parts for encampments while others don’t think rec centers are a good idea either. City staff will again update the council on the designation effort early next month.
Local nonprofits Save Austin Now is quite unhappy with the proposed campsite locations. The group was pivotal in getting the camping ban on the ballot for voters. Co founder Matt Mackowiak says the city manager’s proposals will make matters worse for every city council district and will deprive children of safety and local parks. He says the city has deliberately failed to follow the will of the voters.
Austin home prices
The City of Austin’s home prices continue their upward trend in April, with the median home price growing by more than 30% surpassing $550,500. Susan Horton with the Austin Board of realtors, pens that price jump on low housing stock, she says more homeowners are looking to sell and asking themselves one question:
“What do I do if I sell my home and I can’t find a place to move into? And that is a real fear for homeowners right now,” says Horton.
She says that’s further clogging up the housing inventory pipeline.
Senate bill on weatherization
A Texas House committee is expected to advance Senate Bill 3 to the full house for a vote on a bill that would require all electric generators and providers to weatherize their facilities. If signed into law, the pipeline operators would also be included here and penalties for not doing so could be as high as $1 million per day.
This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-5-19-21
