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Poll results: Austonia readers sound off on boil-water notice, blame Austin Water above others
Austonia readers shared their thoughts on the Austin boil-water notice. (Austonia)
Austin residents went four days being told to boil their water after a mistake made at one of the water treatment plants. As frustrations circulated, we asked our audience to share their thoughts with us.
First, we wanted to know what actions they were taking in response to the boil-water notice. Almost 47% of 228 respondents said they were drinking bottled water, but not far behind almost 40% were boiling their water.
A majority voted that Austin Water should be held responsible for the repeated city failures of three boil-water instances in four years.
Poll results of Austonia survey. (Austonia)
Respondents were given the option of sending in comments. A common theme in the comments was saying this shouldn't happen in this country at all and comparing the lack of drinking water to a third-world country.
Here are a few other comments:
- Ridiculous for a city our size and a travesty for businesses that had to close due to lack of water.
- Just ridiculous, we shouldn't all have to rely on just one treatment plant for the entire city... scary! Come on Austin leaders, we can do better!
- This is unacceptable in the richest country in the world, in the capital of our state!!
- I just moved here because it is a high tech hub, and to not have potable water for 3-4 days makes me think I moved to a third-world country! Get it together, Texas.
- A city that hypes itself as the greatest place all the time and can't provide clean water to its residents? Please!
- Firing someone bc a bureaucratic error? Who’s training this person and about the supervisor? I sincerely do not believe this is what took place. I challenge their integrity.
- Remembering to not drink tap water. Keeping a water bottle in the bathroom. Otherwise, it's not that big a deal. But in my 50 years, I've never had to boil my water in any of the other cities I've lived in.
Popular
(Austonia)
As COVID-19 cases surge in Austin, local health officials have been urging all residents—vaccinated or not—to slow the virus' spread by masking up. We wanted to know how Austonia readers felt about the request.
Last week, we asked, "Do you think all businesses should ask patrons to wear a mask?" and the results of 444 responses show 73% voted yes.
"I think if we don't more or less go back to square one, even if it's just for a week or two, we're never gonna get this under control," one reader who voted yes replied.
The remaining 27% of respondents voted against the suggestion all businesses should ask patrons to mask up, but this group was split in their reasoning.
Of those who voted against, 15% said they felt they shouldn't be required to wear a mask because they are vaccinated. And 12% voted no because "masking should be a choice even for those unvaccinated."
When asked what businesses should do, many readers suggested business owners and employees encourage—or require—vaccinations. One reader suggested businesses could give discounts to those who wear masks, as an incentive.
"No shoes, no shirt, no mask, no service," one reader wrote. Some readers suggested businesses eliminate indoor dining or pivot to take-out only or curbside pick-up options.
Businesses currently requiring masking are in the minority in Austin, including Waterloo Records and BookPeople. Under Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order, Texas cities cannot enforce local mandates, however, city officials are strongly encouraging business owners to heed their warnings of the contagious nature of the Delta COVID-19 variant and ask patrons to wear a mask.
The pandemic has taken a toll on almost all aspects of life, including relationships. Couples have had to navigate these unprecedented times together for better or for worse. As reported earlier this week divorces in the Austin area are down, whether that be for logistical or financial reasons. So we asked our readers, "How has the pandemic affected your marriage or primary relationship?" The majority say, it's "stronger than ever."
About 87% of readers voted that their relationship is blossoming in the midst of the tough times. Responses from readers were very similar stating that all the time spent with their partners has created a better bond with them.
"We had a big fight at the end of the first month of lockdown that lead us to believe divorce was the only way. But the more the pandemic continues, the more we ponder our priorities. We have renewed our commitment to each other and to our children as a result."
About 11% of readers voted their relationship was "Iffy, but we'll make it" stating it's too much time with their partners that it's frustrating.
"Too much together time, not agreeing on how the kids should be spending their time."
Lastly, only one person voted "Heading into divorce court at our earliest opportunity," with no comment on it.
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