It can seem like the quickening pace of life tends to rob us of what used to be a more civilized morning routine: a leisurely cup of coffee and a perusal of the newspaper before heading out the door. Of the many things that this awful period has taken from us, it may be worth celebrating some of the joys of our new normal, too. As difficult as it is to assemble the Texas Standard while maintaining social distance, I do enjoy getting to recharge with that morning paper (or three) over (home-brewed) coffee; getting the kids up two-and-a-half-hours later than they’re used to; making (burning?) a proper breakfast for the family in-between interviews; and feeling a renewed sense of connection with the things that most matter. Last Friday night, as I tuned in to the Ray Benson Birthday Bash (an online concert to benefit the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians ), I felt the first genuine pangs of longing for to see live music in-person again. But by the time Willie made an appearance, I was nearly overtaken by a sense of joy and bonding with the hundreds joining and celebrating the music virtually: a feeling of connection with fellow audience members that I haven't felt since everyone started watching live music through their iPhone screens at concerts. All of this is to say, that, as far apart as we may feel from each other at this moment, there is much joy to be had. One of them is getting to connect with you each day, and for that I am – and we are – so very grateful. Enjoy our picks of the week below, and until next Wednesday, we'll see you on the radio.

- David Brown

Work safe, Texas. Texas Work Comp Insurance

What The Latest COVID-19 Data Means For Reopening

Deaths are up, infections are on the rise, but hospitalizations are down. And Gov. Greg Abbott expanded Texas' reopening on Monday.

When It Comes To Reopening UT In The Fall, 'Hope' Is The Operative Word

The head of the university’s reopening task force says the plan is to reopen in some capacity – but specific predictions are hard to make during a pandemic.

Is It Safe To Go To The Gym? An Infectious Disease Expert Weighs In.

Gyms in Texas have been allowed to reopen to a limited number of patrons. Owners have been asked to follow guidelines for sanitizing equipment and social distancing.

Graduation At The Last Drive-In Picture Show

Gatesville High School seniors and families celebrate through a socially distanced graduation ceremony at the community’s 70-year-old drive-in theater.

Houston Renters Among First In The Country To Face Evictions After COVID-19 Moratoriums (Houston Public Media)
Dallas Pulls Off One Of The Nation's First In-Person Graduations, Despite COVID-19 (KERA News)
So You Want To Go A Bar In Texas. Here's What You'll Need To Know. (KUT Austin)
As Gyms Reopen In Texas, Many Details Are Left To The Owners (KUT Austin)

I lead the web team at Texas Standard, writing and editing online versions of the stories you hear each day. I work with producers to make our web stories as informative and useful as possible. And that’s never been more important, as we focus on covering the impacts of COVID-19. We’ve added resources to our site to answer your health questions, and information about how the virus is affecting Texas and the world. I also produce stories for the show, including our weekly technology segment with Omar Gallaga . Working from home has been like going back in time – before I joined the Standard, I wrote full-time about technology from this very desk. Back then, I had the luxury of heading out to a coffeeshop for a change of scene. Now, it’s the backyard table and a homemade espresso. In my off-hours, I’ve been podcasting. It’s something I’ve worked at for a long time, but lately I’ve made and participated in more shows than ever. As a web editor, author and podcaster, I think a lot about accessibility: how people with disabilities, like myself, use technology. A recent episode of my show Parallel focused on how creators use video to tell stories about tech. Blind filmmaker James Rath talked about his project for Global Accessibility Awareness Day, or #GAAD . He wanted to show how people with blindness travel independently. So earlier this year he went to Turkey. When I do manage to leave tech behind, you can find me hosting Lions, Towers & Shields where I talk about movies from classic Hollywood with smart people. Not long ago, we made an episode suggesting some classics you might enjoy while you’re stuck at home.

- Shelly Brisbin
@shelly

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