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(Austonia staff)
The University of Texas-Austin continued its march toward a new normal on Friday, as university President Gregory Fenves marked his last day of leadership after five years in office—the final two months of it dominated by sweeping pandemic-era changes on campus.
<p>As he heads to Atlanta to lead Emory University, Fenves passes the torch on Monday to Interim President Jay Hartzell, dean of the McCombs School of Business, who takes the helm just three months before classes start on Aug. 26. </p><p><br/></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzM2MDU3NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYwMjgwMjE1OX0.37NWyGwBALb8QfnngsZu7Lob8IBsI3K7753O9Q5aIq8/img.jpg?width=980" id="4db6d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1535b7e15a20335e921ec7846d78d076" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Greg Fenves</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">(Marsha Miller/University of Texas)</small>
</p><p><br/></p><p>Hartzell faces a term marked by new protocols aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 among students, faculty and staff on campus. University officials said that the transition, even in such uncertain times, is expected to be smooth. </p><p>"Even though this is a challenging time for higher education nationally, UT-Austin has prepared well for the transition in leadership to President <em>ad interim</em> Hartzell," Kevin P. Eltife, chairman of the UT System Board of Regents, told Austonia on Thursday, saying he has "full support" of the university leadership.</p><p>Depending on his own plans and how long it takes university officials to name a permanent replacement, Hartzell will almost certainly also be called upon to play the roles of politician and advocate in the Texas Capitol, just two miles away, when UT faces budget cuts during the Legislature next year.</p><p>But officials say Hartzell's immediate mission is to ensure the campus is ready for its approximately 40,000 students to return to a safe, productive learning environment that is as valuable as it was before the pandemic caused so many changes. </p><p><br/></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
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<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Jay Hartzell</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">(University of Texas)</small></p><p><br/></p><p>"Our number-one goal at this time is to ensure that UT institutions are prepared to educate students, serve patients and conduct critical research in environments safe for students, faculty and staff," UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken told Austonia on Thursday. "[Hartzell] has very successfully led one of the largest colleges on campus, and for the last couple of months, he has been involved in all major decisions as the institution navigates the challenges of the pandemic and budget reductions. We need this kind of experienced leadership in the months ahead." </p><p>Neither Fenves nor Hartzell were available to comment this week. </p><p>The news that Fenves was leaving came less than two weeks after the university officially closed to contain the spread of coronavirus. It capped a term marked by success in financial aid and graduation rates, and no headline-grabbing scandals or damaging public infighting.</p><p>His announcement was a surprise to many because Fenves' candidacy at Emory, whose president vacated the role late last year, was not made public until both universities made official announcements on April 7. </p><p>It was not long after Maurie McInnis, then the provost, <a href="https://thedailytexan.com/2020/03/26/executive-vice-president-and-provost-maurie-mcinnis-leaving-ut-austin" target="_blank">said she would leave </a>at the end of the semester to become president of Stony Brook University.</p><p>Even Hartzell expressed surprise at his new role, joking last month that he was hurrying to organize his office so the new dean of McCombs, Lillian Mills, could easily take over when he moves to the tower leadership offices.</p><p>Fenves wasn't specific about his reasons for the move, but given the nature of the two vastly different jobs, Fenves likely heads to higher pay, better decision-making control, more privacy, less meddling by politicians and an overall less-public role at the prominent private research university in Georgia. </p><p>Former UT Chancellor Mark Yudof describes the post as "a great job," but one that is highly accountable to taxpayers, lawmakers, and the media in several ways—particularly as it comes to campus policies and budgeting. </p><p>Testifying before the state Legislature and fighting for funding, for example, is a vital part of the role—one Yudof relished, as a lawyer who spent his career at public institutions. By contrast, the focus of private school leadership tends to more "inward" on education and internal campus issues, he said. </p><p>"It's very different," said Yudof, who served as president of the University of California after UT. "I've never held a high post in a private school, but I did for a time think about whether I should make the move."</p>
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Over the weekend, Austonia polled our readers: 85% say all Texans should be able to vote by mail in 2020.
State Democrats and civic organizations are pushing to expand mail-in voting amid the COVID-19 pandemic at the state's highest court—and against the backdrop of a national, decades-long partisan fight over voting rights.
<p>Texas voters are eligible for a mail-in ballot if they are 65 years or older, disabled, out of the country during the voting period or in jail, and Travis County election officials say fear of contracting COVID-19 should be similarly qualifying.</p><p> But the Texas Supreme Court issued a stay on Friday blocking them from accepting mail-in voting applications from residents because of the pandemic; <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/15/texas-voting-by-mail-coronavirus-blocked-supreme-court/" target="_blank">the case is ongoing</a>.</p><p>Paxton staunchly opposes such an expansion. "Protecting the integrity of elections is one of my most important and sacred obligations," he said in a May 15 statement about the ruling, commending the Supreme Court's decision. </p><p>Mail-in voting has long been a politicized issue, with Republicans warning against the possibility of voter fraud and Democrats arguing that failing to let people vote by mail amounts to voter suppression. </p><p>Robert Henneke is general counsel for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank based in Austin. The organization supports Paxton's interpretation of state law, which Henneke said helps prevent voter fraud and ensure election integrity. </p><p>Further, Henneke argued that there is no reason for voters to worry about contracting the coronavirus as the state continues its reopening plan. "The system is already safe," he said. "Voting now is as safe as going to the grocery store." Those who are at higher risk, such as the elderly and individuals with serious medical conditions, may already be eligible for mail-in voting, he added.</p><p>Most Americans disagree. According to <a href="https://www.people-press.org/2020/04/28/two-thirds-of-americans-expect-presidential-election-will-be-disrupted-by-covid-19/" target="_blank"><u>a national survey</u></a> conducted by the Pew Research Center, 70% of Americans favor allowing any voter to vote by mail, and two-thirds said it is likely the presidential election will be disrupted by the pandemic. In a poll of Austonia readers, 85% said universal mail-in voting should be allowed in Texas this November.</p><p>Wesley Story, a communications associate for the advocacy group Progress Texas, said attacks on mail-in voting are politically motivated.</p><p>"Voting fraud has been something that has been used to suppress voters for a very long time now, especially in our state by Republicans in office," Story said. "But the fact of the matter is that rampant voter fraud is a myth and voter suppression is very real."</p><p>Expanding mail-in voting is generally believed to benefit Democrats because it increases voter turnout, especially among those for whom voting in person may be inconvenient. However, <a href="http://www.andrewbenjaminhall.com/Thompson_et_al_VBM.pdf" target="_blank"><u>a recent study</u></a> by researchers at the Democracy & Polarization Lab at Stanford University found that universal mail-in voting "does not affect either party's share of turnout or either party's vote share." </p><p>Story also argued that increasing mail-in voting would help protect Texans' rights, pointing to other states—including red ones such as Georgia, Kentucky and Ohio—where officials have done so <a href="https://www.salon.com/2020/05/17/ignoring-trump-red-states-expand-vote-by-mail_partner/" target="_blank"><u>because of the pandemic</u></a>. "By not expanding access to vote-by-mail our Republican leaders are essentially forcing Texans to choose between their health and safety and their fundamental right to vote," he said.</p><p>Henneke and Story agree on one point: the result of the Texas Supreme Court case has the potential to undermine voter confidence. "If there's disruption in the upcoming runoff election or the November election it may be really caused by these groups that are trying to force radical changes to a system that works," Henneke said. </p><p>For Story, the disruption could result from <a href="https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/04/16/covid-19-2020-presidential-election-democratic-primary/" target="_blank"><u>suppressed turnout</u></a>. "We should be encouraging as many people as possible to turn out and vote because that's part of how a democracy is supposed to work," he said. </p>
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Child care facilities can start up now, Abbott says; bars, bingo halls and skating rinks open Friday
18 May
Gov. Greg Abbott announced the reopening of a wide range of businesses and activities over the next several weeks, including many activities for children, at a press conference today. He also said that restaurants can increase capacity from 25% to 50%.
<p>Abbott spoke about increased testing, strike teams deployed to hot spots such as nursing homes and meatpacking plants, and an ample supply of personal protective equipment as evidence that the state has made progress in fighting the coronavirus.</p><p>"Every decision I have made," Abbott said, "is unanimously supported by our team of medical experts."</p><p>Citing the need for child care if people return to work, Abbott said that child care facilities could reopen immediately, as can activities and clubs such as YMCA programs.</p><p>Also reopening immediately are personal care businesses such as massage and beauty treatments.</p><p>Beginning Friday, the following places (among others) can reopen at limited capacity:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li>bars </li><li>bowling alleys</li><li>bingo halls</li><li>skating rinks</li><li>rodeos</li><li>zoos</li><li>aquariums</li></ul><p>On May 31:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li>summer day camps</li><li>summer overnight camps</li><li>summer school</li><li>professional sports (without spectators)</li></ul><p>The measures will be delayed counties that have either seen a large increase in cases—such as areas around Amarillo— or are approaching hospital capacity, such as El Paso.</p>
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(city of Austin)
In an effort to balance COVID containment with economic stability, Austin Public Health debuted a color-coded chart that identifies the local risk of coronavirus spread and issues recommendations for high-risk individuals, the public at large and the workplace.
<p>"This document is not designed to guide policy," Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott said at a virtual press conference Thursday morning. "This document is designed to guide individual behavior based on their risk." </p><p>The Austin metro is currently at Stage 3, with Stage 5 being the highest. At this level, APH recommends people continue to maintain social distancing, <a href="https://austonia.com/Coronavirus/austin-coronavirus" target="_self">wear masks</a>, <a data-linked-post="2645990761" href="https://austonia.com/relaxing-the-boundaries-to-let-the-world-back-in-just-a-little" target="_blank">restrict social gatherings</a> to 10 people or fewer and limit visits to <a data-linked-post="2645954011" href="https://austonia.com/Coronavirus/salons-reopen-austin-2645954011" target="_blank">reopened businesses</a>. </p><p>APH developed the chart in collaboration with the city's expert panel, researchers at the University of Texas and elected officials. The local risk level is now included in the Travis County COVID-19 dashboard and will be updated daily based on a number of factors.</p><p>"As much as we'd like to identify one highly reliable trigger, there are lots of triggers," Dr. Escott said, comparing the local COVID-19 forecast to predicting the weather—a lot of factors come into play. </p><p>Texas businesses began a phased reopening May 1. So far, local data does not indicate a new surge has begun. The doubling rate is now 23 days, and the daily increase in new confirmed cases has remained relatively steady for about six weeks. </p><p>"This is why we're willing to accept more risk," Dr. Escott said. </p><p>But he continued to urge Austin residents to keep up certain precautions, including social distancing and wearing masks while in public, and said we likely won't see the full impact of recent policy changes for another couple of weeks. "What we are seeing in the flattening of the curve is the effect of the treatment," he said. "The treatment has to continue." </p><p>At Stage 1, the guidelines allow for gatherings in large groups, the reopening of all businesses and an end to social distancing and masking. But Dr. Escott said we are unlikely to return to normal until a vaccine is widely available.</p><p>Like the local Stay Home-Work Safe orders, the chart's guidelines are largely unenforceable. </p><p>Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt (who has since stepped down) extended those orders last week, despite Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's advancing reopening plan. On Tuesday, Attorney General Ken Paxton's office <a href="https://austonia.com/lifestyle/quarantine" target="_self"><u>sent a letter</u></a> to the local officials asking them to "correct" their orders, which he said conflict with state rules, and threatened litigation. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.facebook.com/austinmayoradler/videos/239825880443863/" target="_blank"><u>a video update</u></a> posted to Facebook, Adler said the letter politicizes the pandemic. "I will not follow the attorney general's office down that path," he added. </p><p>Dr. Escott said he believes this chart system complements the governor's orders and is in service to the goal of preserving public health while also supporting the economy.</p><p>"I know there's been a lot of controversy regarding masks," he said. "I think it is a small step that individuals can take to protect other people—to protect themselves. It is really something that is critical that we consider if we really want to keep business open; if we want to protect workers of those businesses; if we want to protect ourselves and our families." </p>
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(Starting Strength Austin)
Earlier this week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced gyms and fitness studios can open at 25% capacity starting May 18—just over two months after local stay-home orders required them to close. They'll join a growing list of businesses—including restaurants, malls, movie theaters, barbershops and tanning salons—that have received the green light from the state amid the coronavirus pandemic.
<p>But like <a href="https://austonia.com/Coronavirus/austin-restaurants-reopen-25" target="_self"><u>restaurateurs</u></a> and <a href="https://austonia.com/Coronavirus/salons-reopen-austin-2645954011" target="_blank">hair salon owners</a><a href="https://austonia.com/Coronavirus/salons-reopen-austin-2645954011" target="_blank"></a>, personal trainers and yoga teachers are responding at their own pace—with some planning to reopen as soon as they're allowed to, and others waiting for more information from health officials and clients. </p><p>Starting Strength Austin, a franchise location on West Anderson Lane, is reopening May 18, and coach Jarrod Schaefer said he expects it to be close to full—within capacity limits. "We always wanted to open as soon as we could do so without getting into any trouble," he said.</p><p>For Schaefer, strength training is essential to health and wellbeing, and he feels a responsibility toward his members to get back to work. "We think that [reopening] will make the situation that they're in, because of the pandemic, a lot better for them," he said. </p><p>Each Starting Strength member will get their own 11-foot-wide training area and bag of chalk, and equipment will be disinfected between uses. Typically, the gym is restricted to 12 members at a time; when it reopens, that number will go down to eight. While some members have wanted to have long conversations with Schaefer about safety protocols, others have already scheduled sessions. </p><p>Matt Ryan, a personal trainer and owner of Heavy Mettle Fitness, is hearing similar feedback from his clients. While some are more comfortable continuing with virtual sessions, about half are ready to resume meeting in person. "I will be training as long as the client feels comfortable," he said, adding that he plans to wear a mask when they are allowed to resume May 18.</p><p>Other fitness studios are waiting for more information before making a decision either way.</p><p>Caroline Caswell and Brandi Jo Perkins opened Earth Commons in East Austin on March 15 after months of preparation—and one day before local officials issued stay-home orders that required them to close. The apothecary offers private holistic consultations, workshops and space for yoga classes and other events.</p><div id="0953c" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f3a0f765214686c6153aa0fa9a1d808a"><blockquote class="instagram-media"
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word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Earth Commons on Instagram: “Listening to the Mediaeval Babes Salva Nos this morning at Earth Commons and reminiscing. The desire to open our doors grows stronger…”</a></p>
</div></blockquote></div><p><br/></p><p>While Caswell and Perkins are itching to reopen, they have not yet decided when they will do so and are looking to their community and like-minded businesses for guidance. </p><p>"We're just really trying to be cautious and thoughtful, especially as a business that is here to help people in their health," Perkins said. </p><p>Earth Commons was able to shift its retail business online, with good response, the owners said. But their vision in opening the business was to create a gathering space, and some planned classes—such as one on ayurvedic self-massage—require in-person attendance. </p><p>"We don't want to have a class if people are questioning, 'Is this safe or not?'" Caswell said.</p><p>Similarly, Wanderlust Yoga—which has locations downtown and at the Domain—is staying closed until "every available precaution" can be taken, instructor Zoe Welch said. "Our plan is slow and safe," she added. </p><p>In the meantime, the local business has raised more than $20,000 through GoFundMe to help staff and is offering classes and workshops online. "If anything, we've been getting requests to keep the online yoga for as long as we can—even once we deem it safe to open the doors," Welch said. </p><p>Earth Commons and Starting Strength have also been pushed to develop their online audience during this shutdown period. But Schaefer said it doesn't replace the core business, adding: "We can't stay closed forever." </p>
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Local elected officials extended Stay Home-Work Safe orders, with modifications to comply with Gov. Greg Abbott's statewide orders, in an effort to prevent a second surge of COVID-19 cases and an overwhelmed health care system.
"COVID-19 is not done with us," Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt said at a virtual press conference earlier today.
<p>The extended orders prohibit social gatherings and limits outings to essential activities and visits to <a href="https://austonia.com/Coronavirus/greg-abbott-announcement" target="_self"><u>reopened businesses</u></a> They also recommend that residents wear face masks while in public, although Abbott has prohibited municipalities from enforcing facial coverings with civil or criminal penalties. </p><p>The city order is in effect through the end of the month, and the county order through June 15. </p><p>"I think what is most remarkable about these new orders is that there's not much remarkable about the new orders," Austin Mayor Steve Adler said at the same event. But he added that he felt the extensions were still valuable, despite their unenforceability, if only to encourage Austin residents to wear masks while in public. </p><p>Eckhardt echoed the need for these extensions. </p><p>"Nothing much is different about our orders that we put in place today, but things are very different in our community today," she said. </p><p>When she and Adler issued their initial stay-home orders, in mid-March, there were about 100 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Travis County, fewer than 10 hospitalizations and no deaths. There are now 2,002 confirmed cases and 91 hospitalized patients. Fifty-nine people <a href="https://austonia.com/Coronavirus/austin-covid-deaths" target="_self"><u>have died</u></a>. </p><p>Local health authorities have raised concerns—<a href="https://austonia.com/austin-coronavirus-modeling" target="_self"><u>backed by modeling</u></a> and other data—that reopening the state economy will lead to a second surge in cases as in-person interactions increase. If a surge emerges, there may be no other option but to reenter a lockdown, Adler said. </p><p>In the meantime, the city and county have expanded testing capacity and ramped up <a data-linked-post="2645850881" href="https://austonia.com/Coronavirus/austin-contact-tracing" target="_blank">contact tracing efforts</a>. Adler said there is currently enough capacity to meet the demand for testing, and he encouraged residents with any symptoms to use the city's <a data-linked-post="2645744786" href="https://austonia.com/Coronavirus/officials-will-debut-new-covid-19-testing-enrollment-system-to-expand-access-tracking" target="_blank">public testing enrollment form</a> to sign up for a test.</p>
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(Miguel Gutierrez/POOL via The Texas Tribune)
Texas hair stylists, nail salons, tanning salons and barber shops may reopen for clients this Friday, and gyms may open on May 18, as long as they follow new social distancing and health guidelines, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday.
<p>Texans are still required to practice social distancing in those businesses and are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings when patronizing them if they want the economy to continue to reopen, Abbott said. </p><p>"Our ability to continue that effort will be hinged to how well Texans respond in the future," Abbott said. </p><p>Bars are still closed until further notice, but Abbott said the state is continuing to seek safe strategies for those businesses, which operate by nature in an environment that "promotes the transmission of infectious disease."</p><p>His remarks come just over a week after he lifted restrictions on nonessential businesses like retail stores, and allowed restaurants to reopen their dining rooms with 25% capacity last Friday. It was the first phase of what he said was a multi-tiered plan to gradually lead Texas out of the self-imposed quarantine that has devastated businesses and workers for weeks. </p><p>He and other state officials said testing had ramped up significantly in the week since that announcement was made, but infection rates are actually going down and hospitalization rates seemed stable, justifying the decision to further open businesses with strict guidelines. </p><p>Salons may reopen as long as their clients wait outside the location or inside while maintaining proper distance from each other. Only one person per stylist may be inside at a time, and clients and stylists are encouraged, though not required, to wear masks. </p><p>Gyms may operate at 25% capacity, equipment must be sanitized after every use, and clients are encouraged to wear gloves and masks and must stay six feet distance from each other. </p><p>Abbott also said weddings, funerals and memorial services are considered church services and may go on as long as participants follow social distancing guidelines. High schools may have graduation ceremonies outside, online or in drive-in settings. Rules for state parks also apply to beaches and other outdoor natural spaces. </p><p>As of Tuesday, there have been 33,369 positive tests reported in Texas and 906 deaths related to COVID-19. There are now more recoveries (16,791) than active cases (15,672), according to official counts.</p><p>Some 427,210 Texans have been tested, with the help of the state's<a href="https://tmd.texas.gov" target="_blank"> military department</a>, with more than half of those tests administered in the past week, Abbott said. More than 95% of those tests have come back negative, he said. </p><p><a href="http://www.covidtest.tdem.texas.gov" target="_blank">Texans can click here to find a testing station in their area</a>. There were more than 400 testing sites in more than 150 counties across Texas as of Tuesday.</p><p>Dr. John Hellerstedt of the Texas Department of State Health Services called Texas' efforts to slow the spread of the virus a success that shows in the numbers. </p><p>"This is not a one-way street," he said. "We have seen the way the people of Texas have responded to these first challenges, and it worked."</p>
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