The "ripple effect." Those unsure of the definition of that phrase will find a telling example now used by the Merriam-Webster dictionary : "Americans in every state, city and town have felt the personal impact and ripple effect of the virus." As the omicron variant surges, at least 11,000 COVID patients are in Texas hospitals. It's a three-month high, but we keep hearing it's not as much "bed count" but "head count" causing concern among health experts. Staffing shortages are being felt at almost every level: from the health care industry, to schools, to the restaurant and hospitality industry. Early in the pandemic, there were concerns that many restaurants might have to shutter due to lockdowns and restrictions, but the head of the Texas Restaurant Association fears that current staffing shortages combined with the downturn in business during the latest COVID spike may lead to the closure of hundreds, if not thousands, of establishments statewide within months. Now those restaurant owners are putting pressure on the state for millions of dollars to help them survive. Meanwhile, a COVID-related drop in blood donations has led the Red Cross to declare an unprecedented blood shortage crisis, and Texans are being asked to donate at a time of critical need. Add to this an expected decision as early as tomorrow from the U.S. Supreme Court over vaccine mandates (you know we're on it!) and it's clear that it's not just a pandemic we're fighting but the ripple effects felt statewide. You can check out the latest in this week's newsletter. Until next week, we'll see you on the radio.

- David Brown

Work safe, Texas. Texas Work Comp Insurance

Conservative Supreme Court majority seems reluctant to allow COVID-19 vaccine mandate for large employers

But the court sounded less likely to overrule a vaccine mandate on health care workers in facilities that benefit from federal funding.

Gov. Greg Abbott faces criticism over handling of Texas National Guard troops at the southern border

Low morale, suicide among guard members raises concerns about Operation Lone Star.

As COVID cases spike again, restaurants fight to hold on

Texas Restaurant Association CEO says billions of federal dollars are needed to keep small businesses afloat amid labor shortages, rising wages, inflation and more.

Houston, Austin and Dallas could be a biotech triangle

The three Texas cities hope to leverage work already underway in biotechnology, while also attracting new players to the region.

Texans looking for COVID tests after the holidays find long lines, delayed results (via Houston Public Media)
School districts ask parents to fill in as substitute teachers as COVID cases rise in Central Texas (KUT Austin)
Texans have a few days left to buy ACA health insurance plans as signups hit record high (Texas Newsroom)
Comal County Democratic Party headquarters vandalized (Texas Public Radio)

Hey there! My name is Lucio Vasquez and I’m a reporter and photographer at Houston Public Media. I joined the station in May 2019 as the newsroom’s photographer, and transitioned to reporting in November 2020. Soon after, I quickly learned that Houston has an uncanny ability to create a wide-variety of stories on an almost daily basis. Over the past year, I’ve covered Texas’ role in the U.S. Capitol insurrection, the debate over a controversial highway expansion project, and demonstrations against Texas’ new restrictive abortion law , among other stories. Recently, I reported on a gunshot detection technology that Houston officials plan to implement in the city — a decision that local advocates say would waste city funds while further disenfranchising underserved communities. It’s an honor to cover the stories that matter to our community here in Houston and across the state of Texas. You can reach me at [email protected] or on Twitter below.

- Lucio Vasquez
@luciov120

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