Today we honor our fallen peace officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our communities. Let us never forget those who fell on the Thin Blue Line. My thoughts and prayers remain with the families of the men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Click on the maps below to see where your service industries are located in town! Want your local business to be featured in my next newsletter? Send an email to carrie.smith@senate.texas.gov with information about your business and I will make sure that it is in the next newsletter!
Featured Small Businesses:
Day 1 Bags
Did you know that we have over 2,500 children in foster care just in our region of Texas? Unfortunately, our region ranks #2 in foster children in Texas, right behind the Dallas Fort Worth region. Every 2 minutes, a new child enters the foster care system in the United States. The sad fact is these numbers are on the rise with COVID-19 pandemic with many families under significant stress.
We cannot prevent child abuse from happening, but we can provide a sense of dignity to children entering the foster system during this traumatic and isolated time. Day 1 Bags has provided over 30,000 brand new duffel bags or backpacks to foster children in the past 3 years. My mission is to ensure no child receives a trash bag to carry their belongings from home to home. No one deserves their treasures in a garbage bag. I saw this with my own siblings when they entered our home. It is not acceptable! May is Foster Care Awareness Month and you can help. Donate a tax-deductible gift to Day 1 Bags emergency fund now until the end of May and we will make sure every child does not get a trash bag as luggage. Rest assured – 100% of your financial donation goes to the child. Donation Link – https://www.thebiggivesa.org/organizations/one-simple-wish-day-1-bags Email: day1bags@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/day1bags Please help Carmelo’s in Dripping Springs! Thank you!
“Off The Clock” in New Braunfels is open for business! (Drive-thru only)
Dr. John Bec – Solo private practice owner at Alamo Dental Health, San Antonio, TX.
Curley Chiropractic, LLC. 1312 E. Common St ste 407 New Braunfels. 830-620-0959. www.curleychiro.com. Open for business. Accepting New Patients. We accept most major medical ins including Medicare.
Wimberley Pet Sitting is available to watch your pets as we all get ready to get out of the house again. Visit wimberleypetsitting.com to set up an appointment, we would love to meet your fur family!
Dr. Cassandra Elkins DDS-Pediatric Dentist in SA for over 25 years.
A Texas Monthly selected Super Dentist for the last 10 years.
Offices in the Medical Center on Huebner Road and in NW San Antonio on Culebra Road. Contact information – www.whereisdrcasey.com 210-268-0414
Alina Acebo Kulczycki PT, DPT. Owner Therapist – Boutique Bodyworks – Please click on this link: www.boutiquebodyworks.com to learn about my small private practice for physical therapy, pilates, fitness, and nutrition. I see only one person at a time and practice infection and droplet control precautions and I accept Medicare otherwise I’m a cash-based only practice. Thank you! 210.816.1414 tel
Elizabeth Marsh OTR, MS, MOT, Owner — Pediatric Therapy Specialists, LLC, offers a wide variety of therapy services for children of all ages. Our adept therapists engage children in a playful atmosphere promoting improvements in strength and coordination, communication, mobility, social-emotional development, and sensory processing. We are locally owned and therapists operated and are located in NW San Antonio and Schertz. We are open and accepting new patients for occupational, speech, feeding, and physical therapies. We also offer telehealth services for pediatric therapy. • 4600 Lockhill Selma Road, Suite 101 | San Antonio, Texas 78249 p (210) 408-7300 | f (210) 408-7303 • 5700 Schertz Parkway Schertz, Texas 78154 p (210) 233-1790 | f (210) 233-1738 http://www.pedts.com
Catrina’s Interior – WE ARE OPEN FOR SHOPPING BY APPOINTMENT!
In line with recommendations from public health professionals as well as local, state and federal officials, we want to keep our communities safe and healthy. Our Custom Furniture Store and Interior Design Center is now open for shopping by appointment. Call us today to schedule your private in-store visit. We provide free masks and hand sanitizer at the entrance. In-home design consultations can also be reserved and our furniture delivery services continue to operate safely.
Call today for special deals: 830-331-9010
Email: Info@CatrinasInteriors.com
Huth Avian Services– Bird Surveys and Poultry Consultations. (Jesse Huth) I ama Central Texas avian consultant who covers all of the Hill Country; I have an M.S. in Poultry Science and over 20 years of experience as a local birdwatcher. I am currently scheduling spring bird surveys for folks with Wildlife Management Tax Exemptions or anyone who needs to know what birds are on their property. If you recently got some new chickens, or just have questions about raising your flock and keeping them healthy, I am here to help. I can do phone/video consultations, or coop visits while practicing proper biosecurity against both human and poultry diseases. Contact www.HuthAvian.com or call Jesse Huth at (979) 422-7061 Dancing Bear and Gruene Gardens
1632 Hunter Road New Braunfels, Texas 78130 We will open Friday at 11:00 – With the 25% capacity limits: Please be patient, respectful of others, don’t come in if your sick, and don’t come in if your not “shopping”! Please continue to call our cell phones if you prefer a curbside pick up! We understand everyone is not ready to be social yet so do what makes you comfortable! Beth 830-570-0054 Oscar 210-324-9149 Leave a message ~ We will get back to you ASAP!
*Our shops at Resolute Health Hospital at 555 Creekside Way, Will remain closed a bit longer! We are happy to assist with purchases through our Gruene shops! Don’t forget Gifts for: Teachers Appreciation, Graduates, Nurses Day May 5th, Mothers Day is May 10th
Mind Works — At Mind Works, we know that you want to be an informed and equipped parent. In order to do that, you need help with your children. The problem is that parents can find it difficult to understand or know how to resolve certain behavioral issues, which makes you ask, “Where did I go wrong”? We believe our children deserve a reprieve from frustration, disappointment, and the freedom to live a happy and healthy life. As behavioral and physical health providers, Mind Works understands the stigma that keeps the majority of our Texas children from getting the help they need, which is why we have helped thousands of Texas children and families. So, schedule now: Step 1 — Call (210) 366-3700, Step 2 – Complete the Intake paperwork, Step 3 – Meet your child’s provider. Call today — (210) 366-3700
5700 Schertz Parkway Ste. 150 | Schertz, TX 78154 (210) 366-3700 | Fax: 210-265-1442 info@mindworkstx.comhttps://mindworkstx.com/
SYNERGY HomeCare of Central Austin
7500 Rialto Blvd, Bldg 1, STE 250 Austin, TX 78735 512.318.2348
We provide care for those who need assistance – through most of the Austin area. We provide services in-home and in rehabilitation, long term care, skilled nursing, and independent living communities. This includes high-risk pregnancy, post-surgery, daily living tasks, oncology care, dialysis care, dementia, respite for family caregivers, hospice and more. Our services include companionship, transportation, errands, cooking, light housekeeping, and personal care. We are open for business and up to date on the CDC and WHO recommendations to keep everyone safe through these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please give us a call if there is something we can help you with. https://www.synergyhomecare.com/
Please help Assemblage Contemporary Craftsman Gallery in downtown Buda at the Buda Mill & Grain!
COVID-19 Weekly Update
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Texas
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COVID-19 Texas Statistics
According to DSHS our total confirmed cases in Texas is 43,851 with 1,216 deaths, and 24,487 recoveries. They have completed 623,284 tests so far 19,759 (Public) and 603,525 (Private).
Johns Hopkins has Texas confirmed cases at 44,419 with 1,233 deaths.
1,648 lab confirmed COVID-19 patients are hospitalized in Texas.
219 of 254 counties have at least one confirmed case.
Cases in SD 25:
Bexar County now has 2,041 confirmed cases, 59 deaths, and 1,051 recoveries.
Travis County now has 2,345 confirmed cases, with 74 deaths, and 826 recoveries.
Comal County has 68 confirmed cases, 6 deaths, and 56 recoveries.
Hays County is reporting 219 confirmed cases, 3 deaths, with 144 recoveries.
Kendall County is reporting 20 confirmed cases, 14 recoveries.
Guadalupe County is reporting 101 confirmed cases with 83 recoveries.
Totals: 4,794 confirmed cases, 142 deaths, and 2,174 recoveries.
Texas News May 11th
Texas Leadership sent a letter to city and county leaders announcing $5.06 billion in funding available to local governments in Texas through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Of this $5.06 billion, the U.S. Department of Treasury has directly sent over $3.2 billion to the 6 cities and 12 counties in Texas with a population greater than 500,000. The remaining $1.85 billion will be available to other cities and counties throughout the state. Funding will go towards reimbursement of direct expenses incurred by cities and counties due to COVID-19.
Texas News May 12th
NAMI Texas, the state affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has seen a 500% increase in calls since the coronavirus pandemic took hold.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said it will begin having prisoners test themselves with a newly-approved test. So far, less than 2% of state prisoners have been tested for the virus. More than 1,700 have been infected, and 30 have died.
The federal government provided Texas with an allotment of Remdesivir drugs. The manufacturer, Gilead, donated the antiviral medication, which has shown promise in early trials in speeding up the recovery time among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and now the federal government is allocating the donated supplies among the states.
Gilead is supplying states with approximately 607,000 vials of Remdesivir to states, territories, the Veterans Health Administration, and the Indian Health Service over the next six weeks. This allotment will result in treatments for approximately 78,000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients under the Emergency Use Agreement.
Texas received 1,200 vials that will be immediately distributed to hospitals. This will allow for the treatment of approximately 120 patients. DSHS consulted with the Governor’s office, Texas Hospital Association, Texas Medical Association, and the Rapid Assessment Subcommittee of the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response to determine the plan. Based on those consultations, DSHS is shipping the limited supply to 15 hospitals in 14 communities.
Texas News May 13th
Deaths in long-term care facilities now account for 49.4% of all known COVID-19 deaths in Texas.
State of Texas plans to spend $45M on 300,000 tests to screen inmates for COVID-19.
Attorney General Paxton has issued a letter to officials in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio warning that their local mask-wearing requirements and other restrictions — all stricter than Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive orders — were unlawful.
COVID-19. These Facilities Disinfection Teams, formed in coordination with Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), provide a major boost to protecting Texans and limiting the spread of COVID-19. Six teams have already been mobilized to facilities across the state with more coming online.
Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) announced that the federal government has extended seven community-based testing sites in Texas through June 30, 2020. These federally-supported, state-managed, and locally-executed sites include El Paso (1), Dallas (2), Houston (2), and Harris County (2).
Texas News May 14th
Numbers out this morning show just over 141,600 Texans filed new unemployment claims last week. That’s about 102,000 fewer claims than the week before. Since mid-March – just over 2,140,000 Texans have applied for unemployment benefits.
As of Wednesday, nearly 1,800 inmates and 700 employees in Texas’ state-run prisons and jails had tested positive for coronavirus. The state has purchased 300,000 oral swab tests, but only highly-infected prisons are using them for mass testing so far.
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United States
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COVID-19 United States Statistics
The CDC reports that there are 1,384,930 confirmed cases (20,869 new cases) and 83,947 deaths (1,701 new deaths). The United States has completed 10,341,775 tests.
Johns Hopkins is tracking that the United States has 1,415,894 cases with 85,807 deaths and 246,414 recoveries.
United States News May 11th
The White House has begun informal talks with Republicans and Democrats in Congress about what to include in another round of coronavirus relief legislation, officials said on Sunday, while predicting further U.S. jobs losses in the coming months.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Monday he sees no need for the country to buy back debt and that he plans to borrow money long-term to lock in low interest rates, as the coronavirus pandemic rocks the economy.
United States News May 12th
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, on Tuesday said that any new coronavirus-response legislation would have to be “narrowly targeted,” as he criticized a $3 trillion plan unveiled by House of Representatives Democrats.
New York State health officials are investigating about 100 cases of a rare and dangerous inflammatory syndrome that afflicts children and appears to be connected to the coronavirus, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Tuesday.
United States News May 13th
At least 15 states are investigating cases of a rare inflammatory syndrome impacting children that is believed to be linked to the novel coronavirus.
U.S. health officials said on Wednesday they will issue an alert telling doctors to report cases of a rare life-threatening inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19 in children to their state and local health departments.
Fed Chairman Powell said Washington will need to spend more to bolster the economy amid signs recovery will take longer than first thought. U.S. stocks fell after Powell’s remarks.
Canada and the United States appear likely to extend a ban on non-essential travel until June 21 amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, sources in both nations said on Wednesday.
Nearly all 50 U.S. states have begun to allow some businesses to reopen and residents to move more freely, but only 14 states have met the federal government’s guidelines for lifting measures aimed at fighting the pandemic, according to a Reuters analysis.
The Pentagon said on Wednesday it has awarded a $134 million contract to buy protective eyewear, gloves, gowns, and masks for medical personnel at over 15,000 U.S. nursing homes, as it helps gather medical equipment to stop the spread of COVID-19.
United States News May 14th
More than 2.9 million workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the total number of applications in the past two months to 36.5 million.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday issued guidelines to help schools and workplaces determine whether they are ready to open for business.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) said on Thursday it began a study to evaluate the combination of antibiotics azithromycin and malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, which was previously touted by U.S. President Donald Trump as a “game-changer”, for the treatment of COVID-19.
President Donald Trump is open to negotiations on another possible stimulus bill amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, but not the one put forward by House of Representatives Democrats, a White House spokeswoman said on Thursday.
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World
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COVID-19 World Statistics
The total number of confirmed cases around the world is 4,434,590 with 301,937 deaths and 1,583,929 recoveries. 188 countries are now reporting confirmed cases.
Russia is reporting 252,245 confirmed cases with 2,305 deaths and 53,530 recoveries.
Italy is reporting 223,096 confirmed cases with 31,368 deaths and 115,288 recoveries.
Spain is reporting 229,540 cases with 27,321 deaths, and 143,374 recoveries.
The UK is reporting 234,439 confirmed cases with 33,693 deaths.
France is reporting 178,944 confirmed cases with 27,428 deaths and 59,718 recoveries.
Brazil is reporting 201,366 confirmed cases with 13,930 deaths and 78,424 recoveries.
Germany is reporting 174,478 confirmed cases with 7,884 deaths and 150,300 recoveries.
Canada has 73,765 confirmed cases with 5,589 deaths and 35,949 recoveries.
Mexico has 40,186 confirmed cases with 4,220 deaths and 26,990 recoveries.
World News May 11th
Prime Minister Boris Johnson published his plan for exiting the coronavirus lockdown on Monday, allowing some people back to work but cautioning that all should wear face coverings in enclosed spaces as COVID-19 was here to stay.
France could reverse the relaxation of its nationwide lockdown if there was a resurgence of the new coronavirus outbreak, Health Minister Olivier Veran warned on Monday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced a gradual easing of coronavirus lockdown measures despite a new surge in infections which took Russia’s tally past Italy’s, making it the fourth-highest in the world.
The Italian government said on Monday it would give the regions the power to roll back restrictions introduced to halt the new coronavirus in a move that is likely to see most remaining curbs lifted next week.
World News May 12th
The United Kingdom’s COVID-19 death toll now exceeds 40,000, by far the worst yet reported in Europe, raising more questions about Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Mexico’s government said it will on Wednesday set out plans to reboot the economy after weeks of disruption from coronavirus, in a move that is likely to see highly automated industries lead the way in coordination with U.S. business partners.
France’s death toll from the coronavirus rose by 348 to 26,991 on Tuesday, overtaking Spain to become the country with the world’s fourth-highest number of fatalities after the United States, Britain, and Italy.
The European Union executive will recommend on Wednesday that border restrictions are gradually lifted and travel stalled by the coronavirus pandemic allowed to restart in order to revive tourism, a major industry across the 27-country bloc.
World News May 13th
Preliminary results from a nationwide coronavirus antibody study showed on Wednesday that about 5% of the overall Spanish population had contracted the novel virus – about 10 times more than the tally of diagnosed cases suggests.
England tentatively began easing its coronavirus lockdown on Wednesday, with some people who cannot do their jobs at home urged to return to work, as stark economic data showed the disastrous impact of the pandemic.
The European Union on Wednesday pushed to reopen internal borders and restart travel, although the prospects of reviving tourism ahead of the summer season were mixed as public fears over health and safety weigh heavily during the coronavirus pandemic.
World News May 14th
The European Union’s foreign policy chief called on China on Thursday to contribute significantly to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and said there should be an independent scientific investigation into the origins of the pandemic.
As Europe gingerly eases its coronavirus lockdowns, many governments are scrambling to buy antibody tests to find out how many of their citizens were infected, in the hope that will help them craft strategies to avoid a second wave of COVID-19 cases.
Spain’s daily coronavirus death toll rose on Thursday to its highest in a week as authorities warned that a second wave of the outbreak was possible after a nationwide antibody survey showed about 5% of the population had contracted the virus.
France said on Thursday that the world’s nations would have equal access to any novel coronavirus vaccine developed by pharmaceuticals giant Sanofi, a day after the CEO suggested that Americans would likely be the first in line.
South Austin Drive-Thru Testing:
Austin Emergency Center South Lamar: 4014 South Lamar Blvd.
Remedy: 3200 Jones Road.
Comal County Testing:
Clinical Pathology Laboratories has partnered with the county to do their testing.
San Antonio Drive-Thru Testing Sites:
Geneus: 5726 West Hausman Road, Suite 112
Gustafson Stadium: 7001 Culebra Road
Freeman Coliseum: 3201 E Houston St.
Many hospitals are now capable of administering COVID-19 tests as well; however, each hospital and doctor’s office has its own specific policy on testing.
Governor Abbott COVID-19 Updates
Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to test 100% of residents and staff in Texas nursing homes.
Governor Greg Abbott announced the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has received more than $3 million in federal funding to provide shelter and services to survivors of family and domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. This federal funding will support the 78 HHSC-funded local family violence centers that provide survivors with immediate shelter, supportive services, and access to community-based programs.
Governor Abbott today announced that the Texas National Guard has activated Facilities Disinfection Teams to support Texans in nursing homes and to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
Governor Abbott has waived license renewal late fees that accrued between March 13 and June 15, 2020 for occupational licenses issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). This waiver applies to licenses associated with a variety of occupations such as barbers, cosmetologists, electricians, speech-language pathologists, and dyslexia therapists.
Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation extending his Disaster Declaration for all Texas counties in response to COVID-19. Originally issued on March 13 and extended on April 12, the Disaster Declaration provides the state a number of resources to effectively serve Texans as the Lone Star State continues to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide more than $1 billion in food benefits through the federal Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program to families with children who have temporarily lost access to free or discounted school meals.
Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen today sent a letter to Congressional leaders asking them to support liability protections for Texas employers. In the letter, the three-state leaders urge Congress to support the inclusion of legal protections in the next phase of federal coronavirus relief legislation that would protect business owners, healthcare facilities and employees, and first responders from being held liable for COVID-19 exposure claims when they adhere to relevant public health guidelines and make good faith efforts to limit the risk of exposure and infection.
Quick Resources
More Covid-19 Resources
I have included a list of helpful resources below:
For questions about COVID-19, dial 211, then choose Option 6.
Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., 7 days per week
