Throughout this pandemic, I've been drawn to maps and charts. I've been watching the so-called "waves" of bar and line charts going up and down and now predicted to go higher than ever. And all the while I've been trying to remind myself that these data points aren't just numbers, but people. Lately, the Texas Department of State Health Services' COVID dashboard tab on hospital capacity has especially drawn my attention. Intensive care unit bed capacity is slim to none in most parts of the state. The challenge is not just space but staff and it's got me thinking we need new words for describing the efforts of healthcare providers. For over a year we’ve been calling them heroes. That’s still true, of course, but it doesn’t even seem like enough. I just keep thinking that if I feel anxious, exhausted or worn down by this pandemic, what can it be like to see the worst of its effects every single day without relief for a year and a half? In parts of the state where there are ICU beds available, in some cases it’s just one or two beds to serve a population of hundreds of thousands, or even millions. Those frightening numbers are part of the reason cities and school districts are staging a rebellion of sorts against Gov. Greg Abbott and his ban on mask mandates. It’s a developing story and one we’re watching closely here at the Standard. As always, thanks for reading and stay safe.

- Laura Rice
@LauraRiceKUT

Work safe, Texas. Texas Work Comp Insurance

‘It’s About Doing Right:’ Why Austin ISD Is Defying The Governor’s Mask Order

Austin ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde says she "cannot just stand by" as COVID-19 cases surge throughout Central Texas. The district is requiring masks instead.

Energy Companies Want Texas Taxpayers To Cover $6.5 Billion In Freeze Debts

February's blackout left hundreds dead and millions without power. But the state wants to borrow billions to settle power generators’ bills – and make ratepayers pay for it.

What Happens If Paychecks Stop At The Capitol?

Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed funding the pay of legislators, staff and other Capitol employees. The checks are set to end on Sept. 1. What are the legal ramifications of this move?

Bitcoin Mining Is Coming To Dickens County. The County Judge Thinks It’s A Good Fit.

This rural stretch of Texas will be home to a 125,000-square-foot facility. Its residents are still learning about the cryptocurrency. “When you talk about bitcoin mining, a lot of people start looking for mining equipment."

Last Year Austin Cut Its Police Budget By Millions. A New State Law Means It'll Likely Reverse That Move This Week. (KUT Austin)
John Cornyn, Ted Cruz Vote Against Infrastructure Bill That Could Give Texas More Than $30 Billion (Texas Tribune)
2 New Harris County Safety Programs Would Limit Police Interactions In Certain Cases (Houston Public Media)
San Antonio Virtual Reality Nonprofit Brings Relaxation And Wellness To Its Users (Texas Public Radio)

Earlier this week, we heard from three moms who told us about how hard it’s been deciding whether to send their kids back to school. One of them was Christine DeVries, a mother of two from Austin. “I have two daughters and the youngest is not yet eligible for the vaccine,” she said. “I have not yet made a decision about school for her. I think about it constantly.” We know that many of you are in a similar position. Parents and teachers across Texas are in the thick of back-to-school prep (if they haven’t started back already), which, once again, doesn’t just mean picking up pencils and notebooks. It’s also another year of weighing the pros and cons of sending a kid into school during a pandemic. We want to know what this is like for you. If you have thoughts or a story you’d like to tell us about the upcoming school year, go to texasstandard.org/backtoschool to record a message we may play on the air. Have any questions? Email me. And whatever you decide to do, stay safe out there.

- Michael Marks
@michaelpmarks

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