COVID-19 update
The number of hospitalized coronavirus patients has now climbed to 181 in Travis County. Austin Public Health says 32 of those require a ventilator and 112 have died. But of the 6,339 total cases that have been confirmed, a growing number continue to make full recoveries. 4,317 people have overcome the virus since March.
New face mask mandate for businesses coming
You may not get a fine in Austin, but if you don’t wear a face mask, it’s very likely now that your business will. Austin Mayor Steve Adler is issuing a new face mask mandate, as allowed by Governor Greg Abbott. It requires businesses and nonprofits alike to require folks to mask up while at work.
“We told people to get ready to launch it. The order today will now say that businesses have to require masks by their vendors, employees, customers, all types of businesses. So it’s just taking it that next step,” says Adler.
The order states city officials can fine an operation up to $1,000 per day if there is a violation.
The number of suspended bar licenses across Texas climbs to 17 including another in Austin. The TABC has been cracking down on bars and restaurants that aren’t enforcing social distancing rules. Meanwhile, the license for SoHo Lounge has now been suspended as of this week for overcapacity. UnBARlievable, Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden and the Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot Icehouse all have their license suspended over the weekend in the Austin area.
The Texas Restaurant Association thinks making masks mandatory is a good idea. Speaking with the Texas Standard, CEO Emily Williams Knight says it would not only help keep people healthy, but would also clear up any confusion people might have.
“Consumers are waking up wondering when they crossed county lines. Do they need a mask or not?” says Knight.
She says it’s not easy asking small businesses to enforce this kind of thing. This is why the restaurant association has been pressing the governor to make masks mandatory all across the state.
Medical facilities partially closed due to COVID-19
Due to a growing concern over new COVID-19 cases, visitors are once again barred from Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White and St. David’s hospitals in the Austin area. Exceptions will be made for things like pregnancies, pediatric and elderly cases, surgical care or end of life care. Anybody visiting for those reasons will still need to pass a health screening first.
New Austin school budget approved
The Austin School Board has put its stamp of approval on a massive new budget. For the upcoming year, AISD will spend $1.65 billion. That will also force the district to dig really deep into its reserves to cover the near $48 million deficit. Superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz says COVID-19 has been very costly.
“We purchased additional Chromebooks, iPads and also hot spots. You know the investments around COVID that are essential,” says Cruz.
$33 million will be spent just on COVID mitigation and remote learning tools. The new tax rate will be decided upon in September.
Police officers push back after weeks of protests
Some police officers in major American cities have begun pushing back against the growing anti-cop sentiment. In Austin, the police association has given the city an ultimatum, provide more protective gear and allow the use of tear gas to control crowds once again, or police may stop patrolling protests altogether.
“They’ve taken our abilities to deal with riots and people that are creating havoc in our city and taking our CS gas away,”
Association President Ken Casaday tells KVUE he has already sent a letter to union members calling on them to stand their ground and refused to work without the proper gear.
Gov. Abbott defends in-person voting
Despite the spike in COVID numbers in Texas, Governor Abbott is defending voting in-person in the upcoming primary runoff election. At a press conference Governor Abbott commented that the coronavirus was again spreading at the rate that was unacceptable. He went on to say that in-person voting in the July 14th primary runoff would be okay.
“We believe that if people take the time to vote early and when they do so, wear a mask, it really shouldn’t pose much of a problem with regard to being exposed to COVID-19,” says Abbott.
Governor Abbott delayed the primary runoff from May 26 to July 14th due to the pandemic. Early voting begins on July 6th.
This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-6-23-20
