Face masks are returning to Austin businesses.
Mayor Steve Adler has issued a supplemental order requiring businesses to come up with a plan for all employees and customers to wear face coverings.
“I know it’s a pain but we do this to help more people stay healthy, help fewer people die,” Adler says.
This is also an effort to keep the economy open. He says businesses who don’t comply are hurting businesses that do. The face coverings mandate in Bexar County, which could be similar to one coming to Austin soon, is drawing criticism from one of the largest small business advocacy groups in Texas. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Annie Spilman released a statement saying small businesses shouldn’t have to police customers when it comes to masks.
“If a business owner allows somebody into their place of business without a mask on, they’re open to $1,000 fines.” Spilman says a majority of small business owners already have fears of reopening during the pandemic, “71% of our members said that they were concerned about liability and not having any liability protections in place in the state.”
COVID-19 cases skyrocket
Travis County sets another single day record with 220 new coronavirus cases, which has the interim Austin Travis County Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott, concerned. He says we have plenty of hospital beds and equipment available now, but that could change.
“Our concern is three or four or five weeks from now if this skyrocketing trend continues. At that stage, our hospital capacity could be overwhelmed” Escott says.
The same could be true for ICUs and the amount of personal protective equipment that is available.
We Are Blood seeing increased demand for COVID antibody infused blood
With the recent spike of COVID-19 infections in the Austin area, local blood bank, We Are Blood, is seeing demand for COVID antibody infused blood double. We Are Blood’s Nick Canedo says this has them renewing their call for anyone who’s recovered from confirmed cases of COVID-19.
“In the prior week, we’ve seen a demand for around 40 to 60 units of convalescent plasma per week. In the last seven days, we have seen a request for over 120 units” Canedo says.
When the blood bank made the initial call for help, they found 150 confirmed donors more are now needed.
Office of Police Oversight demand better training for Austin police
Austin’s Office of Police Oversight is recommending some changes for the Austin Police Department. A new report that shows APD is responsible for a dozen officer-involved shootings in 2018. The OPO’s Farah Muscadin says typical patrol cops need more training.
“An investment in or direct and ongoing training as it relates to de-escalation and as it relates to tactics involved in an emergency situation,” says Muscadin.
For an example of what they’re asking for, SWAT teams undergo constant training. When they’re on the scene, there is significant planning to end the situation as peacefully as possible.
Austin to lose 100 police officers with upcoming budget
Austin’s Police Department could lose about 100 police officer positions in the upcoming budget. That’s the new plan outlined by the city manager as directed by counsel. It does not sit well with the Greater Austin Crime Commission’s Cary Roberts.
“Are we saying that growth doesn’t count for anything? You can’t keep the current level of officers and maintain the services over time in a community that is growing this fast,” Robert says.
He says cutting police staff is not police reform, adding reforms can still be and should be done but without endangering public safety.
This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-6-18-20
