What Happens Next Is Up To US

Weekly Update

Monday, May 18 – Friday, May 22

Memorial Day weekend is here and we remember the reason for this holiday; to honor our heroes who gave their all for you and me. The sacrifices made during the Revolutionary War, to present day operations, are worthy of our gratitude and eternal respect. Some common ways to honor the fallen may include: displaying the American flag, placing a flag on the grave of a veteran, teaching a child about our history, or saying a silent prayer for the families and friends who lost a loved one. Our veterans put their lives on the line so we can remain the land of the free.

As we gather this weekend for Memorial Day, make safe health practices a priority. Texans have a proven reputation of being strong and resilient, which is why we are taking the necessary steps to reopen businesses and get back to a life we knew, prior to this pandemic.

We are each called upon to act responsibly as we re-engage in the economy, to continue following all health precautions and sanitizing guidelines. COVID-19 is still circulating silently in our communities; which makes those persons older than 65 with pre-existing health conditions vulnerable to becoming sick if they contract the virus.

Because of the hidden nature of this threat, every Texan should continue to rigorously follow the health practices recommended by the CDC and our own Department of State Health Services:Wash or disinfect your hands after touching any surfaces.Consider wearing a mask of some type when entering a business, or when within 6 feet of another person who is not a member of your household. One benefit of wearing a mask is to remind you not to touch your face.Self-screen before going into a business for new or worsening signs of possible COVID-19: Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0℉, and known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19.Call your healthcare provider if you develop signs of COVID-19 and self-quarantine.Every Texan is part of the solution. I am proud of the phrase, “Texans helping Texans” because it’s in our nature to band together and lift up our communities during difficult times. I believe in the freedom of personal responsibility, so it is incumbent upon us, as individuals, to do what is necessary to protect ourselves, our families, and our community. What happens next is up to all of us.

This weekend shop local, help a senior citizen, help a veteran, and as we memorialize veterans that are no longer with us, stay safe! Doctor’s orders

Up Comming Events to Mark your Calendar

Featured Small Business

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 Gardens1632 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.com https://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 UPDATE TEXAS

COVID-19 Texas Statistics

According to DSHS our total confirmed cases in Texas is 53,449 with 1,480 deaths, and 32,277 recoveries. They have completed 834,437 tests and 60,252 antibody tests.

1,578 lab confirmed COVID-19 patients are hospitalized in Texas.
226 of 254 counties have at least one confirmed case.

Cases in SD 25:· Bexar County now has 2,392 confirmed cases, 66 deaths, and 1,200 recoveries.· Travis County now has 2,761 confirmed cases, with 83 deaths, and 948 recoveries.· Comal County has 82 confirmed cases, 6 deaths, and 56 recoveries.· Hays County is reporting 266 confirmed cases, 3 deaths, with 158 recoveries· Kendall County is reporting 24 confirmed cases, 19 recoveries.· Guadalupe County is reporting 121 confirmed cases with 92 recoveries.· Totals: 5,646 confirmed cases, 158 deaths, and 2,473 recoveries.
Texas News Governor Abbott’s Press Conference (May 18^th):

Texans, except where necessary to provide or obtain “Covered Services”, should continue to minimize social gatherings and in person contact with those who are not in the same household.
People over the age of 65 are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible. Individuals are encouraged to maintain at least 6 feet of separation from those 65 and older.
Those who do leave the home, whether young or old, should implement social distancing and good hygiene.

Starting Immediately except for Deaf Smith, El Paso, Moore, Potter and Randall Counties:

Massage establishments and others licensed under Chapter 455 of the Texas Occupations Code may operate but must maintain at least six feet of social distancing.
Personal-care and beauty services not already open may operate but must maintain at least six feet of social distancing between work stations. These include:
Tattoo studios, piercing studios, hair removal services and hair loss treatment and growth services
Child-care services other than youth camps

Starting Friday May 22, 2020, except for Deaf Smith, El Paso, Moore, Potter and Randall Counties:

Dine-in restaurants at 50% occupancy (50% does not include outdoor seating, where 6 feet of separation must be maintained, or employees)
Bars and similar establishments, such as wineries and breweries, may operate at 25% capacity
Aquariums, natural caverns and similar facilities may operate at 25% occupancy
Bowling alleys, bingo halls, simulcast racing to the extent allowed by law, and skating rinks may operate at 25% capacity
Rodeos and equestrian at 25% occupancy (this does not allow for county fairs or large social gatherings)
Drive-in concerts provided that participants remain in their own vehicles
Amateur sporting events which provide no access to the general public and all participants have tested negative for COVID-19 prior to the event

Starting Friday, May 29, 2020 for all Texas Counties:

Outdoor areas of zoos may operate up to 25% capacity. All indoor areas of the zoo, except for restrooms, are to remain closed.

Starting Sunday, May 31, 2020 for all Texas Counties:

Certain professional sporting events with no spectator’s physical present on the premises and as approved by DSHS
Youth camps and summer camps, including both daytime and overnight
Youth sports programs may begin practices but games and competitions may not begin until June 15, 2020.

Counties with five or fewer active case counts can file proper attestation forms with DSHS to allow for occupancy limits to be 50% instead of the listed 25%.

Texans are asked to avoid interactive amusement venues (including amusement parks and water parks) at this time. Texans are also still asked to not visit nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, and long-term care facilities at this time.

Information about Schools and Education:

All public schools should follow guidance as set forth by TEA and found on the TEA website
Schools may conduct graduation ceremonies as set forth by TEA and found on the TEA website

Starting June 1, 2020 Public School Districts may:

Allow students to access the campus for in person classroom instruction such as summer school, special education, specialized assessments and tutoring services.
Public education teachers are encouraged to continue to work remotely from home if possible
Private schools and institutions of higher education may reopen campuses and are encouraged to establish similar standards to allow students, teachers, and staff to return to campus for limited purpose.

Texas News (May 19^th):

Governor Greg Abbott today responded to a letter from members of the Texas Democratic Congressional Delegation regarding tax burdens on Texans. In his letter, the Governor voices his support of lessening the tax burden on Texans but clarifies that local governments—not the State of Texas—set the property tax rates. The Governor disagreed with the members’ support of raising taxes in times of economic prosperity.
Out of 2,537 COVID-19 cases in Austin/Travis County, 473 of them are among senior living facility staff and residents
More than 700 new coronavirus cases were reported in the Amarillo region over the weekend, as results from targeted testing at meatpacking plants came in. According to the office of the governor, a surge response team was deployed in Amarillo on May 4 to survey high-risk locations and test workers at meatpacking plants. The Texas Panhandle, where a workforce of Hispanics and immigrants power several meatpacking plants, is home to the highest rates of infection in the state.
U.S. District Court Judge Fred Biery on Tuesday granted the Texas Democratic Party’s motion to temporarily allow Texas counties to issue mail-in ballots to voters concerned about the risk of contracting COVID-19 at a polling place in upcoming elections.
Austin airport passenger traffic in March dropped 52.1% amid coronavirus pandemic.

Texas News (May 20^th):

Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott told city council members that 19 coronavirus infection clusters are in the construction industry.
Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and Speaker Dennis Bonnen have sent a letter to state agencies and higher education institutions to cut their budgets by 5%.
Texas AG Ken Paxton filed an appeal with the 5^th Circuit in federal vote by mail lawsuit, one of two brought by Democrats as part of a nationwide litigation strategy, using fear of Coronavirus to eliminate limits on voter fraud prone mail ballot voting set by the state legislature.
- The 5th Circuit has put expansion of voting by mail in Texas on hold for now. A panel of judges issued an administrative stay while it considers whether lower court ruling should be blocked during the appeals process.

DSHS is distributing an additional 217 cases of Remdesivir, enough to treat approximately 868 patients, to 112 Texas hospitals.
UT Austin announces students will return to campus this fall, but return home after Thanksgiving.
Governor Greg Abbott has allowed Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) license and permit renewals to occur after the current 30-day grace period after an expiration date without any late fees. This waiver applies to renewals with an expiration date on or after March 13, 2020

Texas News (May 21^st):

Texas will distribute the vast majority of a $1.29 billion federal stimulus package to school districts this summer, using it to deliver on a promise that schools will remain fully funded this school year despite statewide closures due to the coronavirus pandemic, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told school officials on a call Thursday.
Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to expand COVID-19 testing to all patients, residents, and staff at the 23 state-operated inpatient psychiatric hospitals and living centers throughout Texas.
Governor Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order (GA-24) terminating air travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will begin a phased opening of driver license offices starting May 26th with limited service offerings. As part of this opening plan, DPS will launch a statewide driver license (DL) appointment system that allows customers to book appointments up to six months in advance. The limited services being offered will be by appointment only.
Governor Greg Abbott today announced that CVS Health will open 44 new COVID-19 test sites at select CVS Pharmacy drive-thru locations across Texas. These new sites will utilize self-swab tests and will be available to individuals who meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, in addition to age guidelines. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com beginning Friday, May 22 to schedule an appointment.
The SA City Council has unanimously approved extending the mayor’s Stay Home; Work Safe public health emergency orders until June 4th. The orders still encourage residents to wear face masks and enforce limits on public gatherings in and outside the home

.Texas News (May 22^nd):

The state’s April jobless rate was 12.8% — Texas’ worst monthly tally on record. That number, included in the Labor Department’s monthly report released Friday, is the government’s clearest and most comprehensive look at the economic devastation in Texas since the coronavirus pandemic first swept the state in March. Previously, the state’s worst-ever monthly unemployment rate was 9.2% in November 1986, as Texas reeled from the last big oil bust.
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has extended payment deadlines for designated reimbursing employers that are required to pay a share of unemployment benefits. Designated reimbursing employers include non-profits, local governments, school districts and other qualifying employers who reimburse TWC for the full amount of unemployment benefits to be paid to eligible former employees.
Governor Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order suspending in-person visitations in all county and municipal jails in the state of Texas. This restriction does not apply to visitation by an attorney meeting with a client or a religious leader or member of the clergy.

United States

COVID-19 United States Statistics

The CDC reports that there are 1,571,617 confirmed cases (20,522 new cases) and 94,150 deaths (1,089 new deaths). The United States has completed 13,056,206 tests.

Johns Hopkins is tracking that the United States has 1,596,633 cases with 95,823 deaths and 298,418 recoveries.

United States News (May 18^th):

The phased reopening of U.S. business and social life gained traction on Monday with more Americans emerging from coronavirus lockdowns and stock markets rising on early test results of a potential vaccine.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans a nationwide study of up to 325,000 people to track how the new coronavirus is spreading across the country into next year and beyond.
U.S. Health Secretary Alex Azar said on Monday he was hopeful American schools would reopen in the fall, despite reports of a rare inflammatory syndrome in children that is believed to be linked to the coronavirus.
The Trump administration is prepared to take further steps if needed to shore up the nation’s economy during the novel coronavirus outbreak, but any final action will not look like House Democrats’ proposed legislation, White House adviser Kevin Hassett said on Monday.
Moderna Inc. said human subjects in a Phase 1 trial of a candidate Covid-19 vaccine produced immune responses that were a positive sign of the vaccine’s potential to prevent infection with the new coronavirus.

United States News (May 19^th):

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday extended non-essential travel restrictions at U.S. land borders with Mexico and Canada through June 22 that were set to expire on Wednesday.
Data from a small, early-stage safety trial testing Moderna Inc’s experimental COVID-19 vaccine does not provide the critical data needed to assess its effectiveness, health-focused Stat News reported on Tuesday, citing experts.
Republican leaders in the U.S. Congress said on Tuesday they were in no hurry to work on another coronavirus relief package, despite the House of Representatives’ passage last week of a $3 trillion measure.

United States News (May 20^th):

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives plan to vote again next week on giving small businesses more time to utilize their coronavirus aid under the Paycheck Protection Program, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday.
U.S. carriers JetBlue Airways Corp and United Airlines Holdings Inc announced fresh safety measures on Wednesday aimed at restoring confidence in travel as several executives pointed to signs domestic demand is improving.
The three major averages on Wall St. notched their fourth gain in five sessions on Wednesday as investors again bet on a swift economic recovery from coronavirus-driven lockdowns and the potential for more stimulus measures from the Federal Reserve.
Thirty-seven Planned Parenthood affiliates applied for and received a total of $80 million in loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP),
Federal Reserve policymakers, still working to fully roll out a multi-trillion-dollar effort to shore up financial markets and an economy cratered by the coronavirus pandemic, last month dove into a new debate: how best to support the economy during a recovery they now agree could be slower and more fraught than initially thought.

United States News (May 21^st):

Another 2.4 million Americans file for unemployment, bringing 9-week total to 38.6 million. Unemployment payments jumped to at least $16.2 billion in April, up more than five-fold from February, as layoffs attributed to the coronavirus pandemic swept through the economy.
The United States has secured almost a third of the first one billion doses planned for AstraZeneca’s experimental COVID-19 vaccine by pledging up to $1.2 billion, as world powers scramble for medicines to get their economies back to work.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday he may support another fiscal stimulus bill to help prop up the economy during the coronavirus outbreak, though he did not provide any details on what he would like to see in such legislation.
U.S. frozen pork inventories fell in April, when they typically rise, and beef inventories dropped more than normal as the coronavirus pandemic shut slaughterhouses and prompted grocers to limit customers’ buying, government data showed on Thursday.

United States News (May 22^nd):

Unemployment rates rose and total employment fell in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia in April as efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic forced businesses to close across the country, the Labor Department said on Friday.
The United States called on the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday to begin work immediately on investigating the source of the novel coronavirus, as well as its handling of the response to the pandemic.
A study of hospitalized Covid-19 patients provided a sign that blood-plasma transfusions from recovered patients improve survival rates, the largest research effort to date to shed light on the therapy’s efficacy.

CDC Update:

Recent guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sheds new light on how coronavirus spreads through surfaces. Though there is the possibility that coronavirus could be transmitted by touching a surface — and then your nose, mouth or eyes — the likelihood of that is lower than person-to-person contact, which is believed to be the primary way coronavirus is transmitted.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledged Thursday that it is combining the results from viral and antibody COVID-19 tests when reporting the country’s testing totals, despite marked differences between the tests.
Asymptomatic COVID-19 patients are of great concern to public health officials and lawmakers due to their ability to spread the virus without knowing they’re sick themselves. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than a third of COVID-19 patients could be asymptomatic.