New face mask order coming today
Austin Mayor Steve Adler is expected to release a new face mask order today. The mayor says one of the biggest questions is what the fine will be if businesses violate the new order for employees and customers to wear face masks. That should be released today. Adler says fines weren’t handed out during the first mask order because people worked together and followed that mandate. He says businesses support this new order because they know it’ll keep the economy open.
New coronavirus cases rising rapidly
The impact the weeks of protest have had on new coronavirus numbers is now very apparent within Travis County. As of this morning, 506 new cases are confirmed bringing the total up to 6,210 confirmations since March. However, with those numbers climbing, the number of people dying from the disease may not be climbing as fast as a lot of people think. 110 people have died. It’s only about four more deaths than one full week ago. In terms of recoveries, 4,140 people are now free and clear of that disease.
Mayor Steve Adler, says the coronavirus pandemic is only getting worse. Looking at the last few weeks of COVID hospitalizations the trends are following UT predictions that have us running out of hospital beds.
“Our new cases are going up more rapidly than our testing numbers were going up. The expert scientists tell me that you are three times as likely to catch the virus going out then two weeks ago,” says Adler.
Local elected leaders are sounding the alarm. Meanwhile, across social media, rumors are flying that area hospitals are nearing capacity. Looking at the numbers across just Hays, Travis and Williamson counties, which have the most hospitalizations across the five county area, the total is still relatively small in all health departments. Those three counties are reporting a total of 241 hospitalized patients, 174 of those are in Travis County. There are 52 hospitalized patients in Hays County. Williamson County only has 15 hospitalized and in fact, about 53% of its hospital beds are still available, 625 cases are active right now in Williamson County. That marks a fairly significant rise compared to last week, but 672 people have made full recoveries there.
Several Austin bars receive license suspensions
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has been warning bars for weeks to enforce social distancing rules or suffer the consequences. Now three Austin bars have been slapped with 30-day license suspensions. They include UnBARlievable, Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden and the Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot Icehouse. A dozen bars across Texas have had their licenses suspended so far.
In-person graduation for Austin canceled
Plans for an in-person graduation in the Austin school district have been scrapped. AISD has been planning to hold the ceremonies over a few days in August at Frank Erwin Center. Now, it cannot guarantee that it will be able to comply with health restrictions involved with those indoor ceremonies.
Flag burning in front of APD
A man has been arrested for allegedly ripping down the US and Texas flags in front of the Austin Police Headquarters and setting them on fire. It took several tries, but Gawel did celebrate once the flags finally ignited.
“This isn’t America, people are dying!” shouted Gawel.
One officer, who is also a military veteran, reportedly stepped in to rescue the burning flags. 20 year old Julian Gawel, has been arrested for the alleged incident.
Safe Horns fight for bigger police presence at UT
For years, the group Safe Horns has fought for more police officers around UT. Now that Austin’s reallocating millions of police dollars elsewhere, Safe Horn says students are going to be paying the price.
“Students are fearful to walk through this area and we’ve been advocating with the city for years to see improvements. We want halo cameras, we want lighting. Lighting doesn’t meet standard in this area.” says Joell McNew with Safe Horns.
McNew tells KVUE the only way she thinks safety will increase is if a new police substation is added to the drag, including 11 more police officers in that area.
This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-6-22-20
