Photo by Roschetzky Photograph
At noon Governor Greg Abbott will lay out his long awaited plan to reopen the state economy. He is facing increased pressure this week from lawmakers and protesters. The governor says it will happen, but it will be slow.
“We have to understand that we must reopen in a way in which we are able to simulate the economy while at the very same time ensuring that we contain the spread of COVID-19,” says Abbot.
This week, nine Republicans from the House Freedom Caucus called to loosen statewide executive orders and give local jurisdictions more flexibility.
Some Austin businesses are preparing for the day they can reopen their doors. For instance, Birds Barbershop co-founder Jayson Rapaport tells CBS Austin safety is their prime concern.
“It’s about making sure that our barber chairs are properly distanced,” Rapaport says, “that there is enough space between people. It’s making sure everyone is wearing a mask.”
Philip Brown of Vince Young Steakhouse says their plans are not so concrete. Though they have been buying up masks to start them off.
Austin Public Health says Travis County has now eclipsed the 1,000 mark for the total number of coronavirus cases. 1 new death has also been reported raising the total to 18 while 201 people have made recoveries in Travis County.
12 new cases have popped up in Williamson County totaling 140 cases there. 78 of those cases are now classified as recoveries. The last death due to COVID-19 in the county was April 7th. That total still stands at four. Round Rock currently has the most confirmed cases. Hays County still has one COVID-19 death and two of the 117 confirmed cases are still hospitalized. In fact, only 10 cases ever warranted hospitalization as 48 have recovered. In Bastrop County, six of its 41 cases are now classified as recoveries. Its first death was also reported back on April 7th, and no new deaths have occurred since.
The distribution of all meals, computers and physical class packets is being suspended in the Manor School district. Officials say two curbside food workers have tested positive for COVID-19 and the third test is pending. That suspension will remain until further notice. The employees last worked on April 9th at Manor New Tech High School.
Austin home sales were steady in March, despite a lot of concern that the shelter orders would begin to show an impact. The Austin Board of Realtors says the impact has been minimal. There was still a 2% increase in sales from a year earlier. The median home prices up to $335,000. That’s an 11% increase
Two downtown Austin construction workers have tested positive for COVID-19. There’s been a lot of debate over whether job sites should be allowed to continue to operate. Governor Abbot says that is an essential service. Tim Wright oversees a project at Bowie High School. He tells KVUE they’re following a lot of protocol.
“We’re making sure we’re not using communal tools; tools that are shared are cleaned before the next person uses them,” Wright says.
Austin I.S.D. says each worker has their temperature checked daily, answers a series of questions, and is given a wristband to show that they’ve passed that evaluation.
Another longtime staple of Austin’s dining scene is having to close its doors for good. Magnolia Cafe says It’s Lake Austin Boulevard location will be closed after 41 years in operation. After taking such a big hit from COVID-19, the owners say they had to accept that location could not survive.
Democrats and Republicans are still at a standstill in Washington over the payroll protection program. Nearly $350 billion were approved for small business loans to keep employees on the payroll, but this week that fund tapped out. Senator John Cornyn of Texas says Republicans want a narrow expansion, but Democrats are in disagreement.
“Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer want to add other unrelated money to this bill right after we spent $2.2 trillion and most of that money is not even out the door yet,” says Cornyn.
Democrats want to ensure that some of the money is being prioritized for companies run by minorities and women.
A.P.D. says one of its officers, who recently contracted COVID-19 has made a full recovery and is returning to duty. Later today, that officer’s expected to share a story with the public at a barbecue hosted by the Austin Police Association and the group Cops for Charities.
This news and more on New Radio KLBJ:
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-4-17-20
