Tag Archives: COVID-19
Experience, communication help Margaret Gómez tackle difficult issues
With more time logged in office than the other commissioners on the court, Travis County Precinct 4 Commissioner Margaret Gómez is able to bring a long-term perspective to county government. Gómez took office in 1995, making her the longest-tenured commissioner…
Travis County • By Ken Chambers • Dec 22, 2023
What Austin and Travis County learned about rental assistance during the pandemic
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Austin and Travis County had no overarching infrastructure in place for distributing rental assistance or otherwise supporting low-income families at risk of eviction. Then, millions of people across industries lost their sources of…
Housing • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 22, 2023
What Austinites should know about Covid-19 during this summer’s surge
Austin Public Health officials say they realize many people are tired of talking and hearing about Covid-19. But with “remarkably contagious and infectious” omicron subvariants circulating this summer, they say now is the time to “redouble our efforts” to protect ourselves and…
Public Health • By Jennifer Stayton, KUT • Jul 26, 2022
Here's where to get a Covid-19 vaccine in Austin for the youngest age group eligible
The federal government this month approved Covid-19 vaccinations for the youngest recipients yet: children ages 6 months to 5 years. Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County health authority, says vaccines for this age group are safe and effective. “We also know…
Public Health • By Emma Williams, KUT • Jun 29, 2022
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Texas schools won’t lose funding for attendance drops during the pandemic
Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Education Agency announced Tuesday that public school districts may not lose funding because of low attendance rates caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In Texas, schools are funded based on the number of students enrolled…
Education • By Brian Lopez, The Texas Tribune • Mar 31, 2022
Austin Public Health to use new Covid-19 risk charts to align with CDC
Austin Public Health is updating its Covid-19 risk guidelines to coincide with new metrics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Previously, APH had been using a five-level scale to showcase Covid-19 risk, with Stage 5 being the highest…
Public Health • By Marisa Charpentier, KUT • Mar 30, 2022
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Local health officials lift Covid-19 restrictions as infections hit record low
Lee esta historia en español. Health officials in Austin and Travis County announced Wednesday that they are lifting “all Covid-19 emergency rules and orders, effective immediately.” Masking is now optional in most city facilities, except for the airport, clinical settings…
Public Health • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • Mar 24, 2022
Austin moves to Stage 4 of its risk-based Covid guidelines ahead of SXSW, Austin Rodeo
Austin is no longer at its highest level of Covid risk-based guidelines. Austin Public Health announced Thursday that it’s lowering its guidance to Stage 4. That means fully vaccinated people in the five-county area should wear masks when shopping, dining…
Public Health • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Feb 25, 2022
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Austin ISD adds two Fridays off this semester to provide 'stress relief' to staff amid omicron wave
Lee esta historia en español. The Austin Independent School District is adding two three-day weekends to the spring semester to give teachers a break as the omicron Covid-19 wave has stretched campuses thin. Students will now have two extra Fridays…
AISD • By Marisa Charpentier, KUT • Feb 1, 2022
Council expands virtual participation in city meetings
Due to the omicron variant disrupting in-person city meetings this month, City Council will allow boards and commissions to gather mostly virtually sooner than planned. Council is set to approve an ordinance today requiring that only one board or commission member…
City Hall • By Jonathan Lee • Jan 18, 2022
Austin/Travis County require businesses to post whether they require masks, Covid-19 tests or vaccinations
Starting Monday, businesses in Travis County and the city of Austin will have to post a sign indicating whether employees and customers need to wear a mask, show a negative Covid-19 test or be vaccinated against the virus. City of…
Public Health • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jan 14, 2022
City urges high-risk people to avoid gatherings as Austin moves to Stage 5 Covid precautions
Lee esta historia en español. Austin and Travis County are back at the highest stage of Austin Public Health’s Covid-19 community risk guidance as the omicron variant of the coronavirus has caused a surge of new infections and hospitalizations. The…
