COVID-19 vaccine update
While attending the White House summit on the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott addressed the steps Texas has already taken in preparation for the delivery of the vaccine.
“We have already signed up more than 7,200 providers that are awaiting for these vaccines as we speak,” says Abbott.
Governor Abbott went on on a panel with governors from Florida, Louisiana and Tennessee. Abbott spoke of the state’s efforts to prepare for the vaccine dating back to the spring, accelerating over the past month. Abbott was then asked how long it might take to vaccinate the first 100,000 Texans.
“We’re ready to go. All we need are the tests and the vaccines, and once we get them, they should be done within 24 to 48 hours,” says Abbott.
The coronavirus vaccine could be coming this week or next, but there’s a lot of questions about who should be getting it. Baylor infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Hotez says even people who have tested positive and have recovered should still line up for the shots.
“Because we don’t know the durability of protection from previous infection. It may depend on the severity of illness,” he says.
We also don’t know if those who had severe symptoms from COVID have more protection from the virus than those who were asymptomatic. The best plan, he says, is to get everybody vaccinated. Once the shots arrived, he adds, those who had COVID and recovered may even get a booster effect from the vaccine.
Homeless mental health
The City of Austin is putting a new focus on homeless mental health. Tomorrow, a partnership with Travis County Integral Care for the Health Care for the Homeless Program is expected to be fully approved. Bill Brice with the Downtown Austin Alliance says they’re putting up a little more than half the cost.
“The program costs $520,000. First year, Downtown Alliance will encumber $260,000 of that,” says Brice.
The program involves five new behavioral health specialists and a psychiatrist who will provide mental health care to the homeless either on site or at the Terrace Oak Springs Clinic and will prioritize people deemed to be the most in need of care. As many as 175 people a year could be served, and Brice says it will also help guide people into permanent housing.
Public education funding
Public education funding will be tricky in the upcoming legislative session. Cedar Park State Representative John Bucy says House Bill 3, which passed last year and pumps more than $11 billion into public schools, cannot be allowed to falter.
“We did a lot to help our schools last time, and I’d hate to see us go backwards. Another budget is gonna be a real challenge,” says Bucy.
The Senate also will find itself with much less wiggle room than normal because of the massive expense caused by the pandemic. Georgetown State Senator Charles Schwertner says about 80% of the budget is already spoken for.
Texas seceding from the union?
There had been talk for years about Texas seceding from the union. But, one hill country state representative Kyle Beidermann, is poised to be the first to file legislation that would put it up for a vote. Political Analyst Cal Jillson says there’s a problem with that, though. She says it’s just not possible.
“The Supreme Court said that the union is undissolvable and is permanent and so Texas cannot succeed,” says Jillson.
In a post on Facebook, representative Biedermann claims that the federal government is out of control and does not represent the values of Texans. It already has the support of the Texas Nationalist movement, which claims the support for secession has been on the rise.
Fort Hood fires officers
Army leaders are firing or suspending 14 officers and enlisted soldiers at Fort Hood. Two general officers are also among those being removed from their jobs.
“While the independent review focused on the command, climate and culture at Fort Hood, the findings contained in the committee’s report impact the entire Army,” says Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy.
This comes in the aftermath of a year that saw 25 soldiers assigned to Fort Hood died due to suicide homicide or accidents, including the death of specialist Vanessa Guillén.
This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-12-9-20
