Crime spike could be statistical anomaly
Governor Greg Abbott is again heaping criticism on the Austin City Council, this time for the spike in murders the city’s experiencing this year, calling it absurd that the city is cutting police funding at the same time. Austin Police Lieutenant Jeff Greenwalt says only time will tell if it’s a trend that will continue.
“This could be just a statistical anomaly in 2020. In 2021 we could see that number drops significantly,” says Greenwalt.
Even if this year is a statistical anomaly, the numbers are still concerning for a lot of people. 44 murders have been reported. At the same time last year, there were 31.
Restaurants could scale back more
A lot of restaurant owners say they’re just barely hanging on due to the capacity limitations imposed upon them this year. Now, Austin Public Health says it thinks it’s time for restaurants to scale back even more. Right now, they can operate at 75% but the Travis County health authorities are recommending 50% as a safer option. The Texas Restaurant Association is strongly opposed to that recommendation.
COVID vaccine update
Local health officials don’t expect a COVID vaccine to be widely available for all of us until sometime next year, but preparations are being made nevertheless. Stephanie Hayden with Austin Public Health says Austin’s taking part in President Trump’s Operation Warp Speed . Flu vaccinations are actually helping iron out a distribution plan.
“Looking in ZIP codes where we may be potentially providing testing right now and transitioning those locations to provide the vaccine,” says Hayden.
Once a COVID vaccine is available, frontline workers and first responders would get first priority.
There is a lot of buzz over Pfizer’s announcement this week that it’s COVID vaccine trials have shown 90% efficacy so far. Dr. John Carlo with Governor Abbott’s COVID-19 Task Force says 50% was the expectation so Pfizer is pushing really hard for emergency approval.
“What we’re hearing now is that the manufacturer could send the application to seek approval for emergency use authorization by the FDA, sometimes a third week in November,” says Carlo.
If approved, Carlo thinks widespread distribution will be ready by summer.
Austin schools COVID risk
Austin area health leaders are keeping an eye on schools as the Austin school district is welcoming more kids back to campus. Area Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott says they’ve learned that around 50% of area students are looking to get back on campus. With the current COVID risk level, schools should still be safe, but the increase could change that
“As we increase numbers of individuals in schools beyond that, it’s going to be difficult for our schools to maintain the social distancing practices that are currently in place and able to be achieved in a lower number of students,” Escott says.
Under normal circumstances, several area schools are crowded right now. He adds, they need to stay away from that.
GOP not accepting election
Texas Republicans are not accepting the results of the election, and they continue voicing their displeasure with them. At a rally this week, Troy Jackson with the Republican Party of Texas, tells a crowd the “party of law and order has to continue to demand accountability. We have a constitution, we have a bill of rights. We have a declaration of independence. That’s what we conservative Americans believe in,” he shouted.
A suit filed by Travis County Republicans has been rejected this week by the state Supreme Court. It argues that poll watchers have been denied access. A similar suit has also been filed this week in Dallas County.
Joe Biden for undocumented immigrants
Some undocumented immigrants say they’re feeling more confident now that Joe Biden has been declared the winner of the presidential race. Austin Councilman Greg Casar, whose district has more immigrants than any other in the city, tells CBS Austin he’s happy to see President Trump ousted.
“People who are undocumented can rest a little bit easier that we can actually move forward with better protections for immigrant families,” Escott says.
President Trump has been blamed for separating families of the border. Biden says he’ll protect those families as well as immigrant students known as DREAMERS.
Tesla job postings
And after months of speculation over whether Tesla may manufacture battery cells here in Austin, new job postings by the company appear to be confirmation of that. Tesla’s posted several positions online, seeking people who work in the cell manufacturing lines. Those batteries will be used in Tesla’s automobiles. At least 5,000 jobs are being created at the upcoming Tesla Gigafactory.
This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-11-10-20
