Austin’s Top News – July 8, 2020

Austin's Top News from News Radio KLBJ

Governor Abbott and Mayor Adler debate COVID codes

Governor Greg Abbott is doubling down once again, saying he will not be giving Austin anymore enforcement powers. Austin Mayor Steve Adler is looking at shutting down the city again but needs Governor Greg Abbott’s permission to enforce it. The Governor told FOX 7 that Austin has yet to enforce any of the current COVID-19 codes as is. 

“Whether it be requiring people to wear a mask, whether it be not allowing bars to serve alcohol, whether it be making sure that there are limitations enforced with regard to certain capacity at different types of locations, not once,” Governor Abbott says.

Abbott believes it makes no sense for Mayor Adler to ask for more power without properly enforcing the current corona rules. Not unexpectedly, Mayor Steve Adler is not in agreement with the governor here. Adler says the governor’s most recent mask order is actually contradictory. 

“The president of the Police Officer Association suggests that the governor’s wording in his order that said police could give a ticket to somebody who wasn’t wearing a mask, but also said, you couldn’t detain somebody,” Adler says

City legals are working with Austin police to send a legal message to officers letting them know how exactly to enforce that masking policy. 

New cases have slowed down

For a couple of weeks, Travis County officials have warned that a rolling seven day average of more than 70 new hospital admissions could be the trigger for a shutdown. Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott says we have hit that point, but new cases have actually slowed down, which means we may be able to stave off any more closures. 

“If that trend continues today and tomorrow then, you know, the answer may be not yet,” Escott says. 

Governor Abbott’s statewide mask order just before the Fourth of July may have been enough to start reversing this trend significantly.

Austin venues predicted to close

Austin is known as the live music capital of the world, right now. There’s a new survey casting a dim light on the future of that title. That survey, out of the University of Houston and commissioned by the Austin Chamber of Commerce, predicts that 90% of Austin music venues will be permanently closed by this October. More than half of the city’s venues have already remained closed since mid-March. 

COVID-19 update

Williamson County has administered more than 20,000 COVID-19 tests, and as of this morning, there’s a 31.6% positivity rate. 112 patients are currently hospitalized. That’s a slight uptick from yesterday, 27% of its beds are free. 46 people have died in Williamson County, but 957 have recovered. 

Travis County has reported only three additional hospitalized COVID-19 patients over the past day. A total of 469 coronavirus patients are now hospitalized. There have been more than 12,000 cases confirmed, 151 of which have resulted in death. However, 9,348 have recovered from the virus.

Texas educators respond to the new COVID-19 guidelines

The Texas Education Agency’s guidelines for students to return to school is not sitting well with a lot of educators. The TEA’s nine page guide prioritizes health and safety on campuses, while offering parents the option of remote learning. Mark Wiggins from the Association of Texas Professional Educators doesn’t think it goes far enough there.

“ATPE is frustrated that TEA has not heeded our call to provide more explicit guidance,” says Wiggins.

Texas teachers are hoping the school districts keep the doors locked until the pandemic subsides. Rob D’Amico is with the Texas American Federation of Teachers.

“Start perhaps with remote instruction and see what we’re facing later in August, instead of earlier in August,” says D’Amico.

Leander Independent School District students get to pick between two choices for the next school year. 100% online, or 100% in-person. Teachers will host both live and recorded courses if students choose the online option. The district says it had to drop any plan for an online/in-person hybrid because it’s not feasible under the TEA’s new guidelines. 

St. Edwards COVID-19 tests

If you’re a student returning to campus at St. Edwards, expect to receive a COVID-19 test kit in the mail shortly before classes resume. The school is sending them out about a week ahead of the first day. Staff and faculty will get them as well. Anyone testing positive will be asked to quarantine and see a doctor before any consideration is given to allowing them to return to campus. 

This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:

https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-7-8-20

 

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