AUGUST 25, 2021 STIMULUS
TX HISTORY
Small communities to receive COVID-19 relief assistance.
Small-town Texan wins 1940 batting championship.
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HaysNewsDispatch.com
Vol. 41 • No. 48
Serving Hays County, TX
28 Hays residents in ICUs: One vaccinated, 27 not BY SAHAR CHMAIS
Five ICU beds remain available in Trauma Service Area O (TSA-O) as of Aug. 22; TSA-O serves 11 counties, including Hays and Travis counties. Not all ICU beds in
the area are occupied by COVID-19 cases, but 262 of the 496 occupied ICU beds are coronavirus patients. Lack of ICU bed space not only affects coronavirus patients, but it also means that anyone who needs hospitaliza-
tion in an ICU may not get the proper attention they need, according to local doctors. The number of total ICU beds fluctuates depending on how many hospital staff are available. As of Aug. 23, Hays
County has 50 hospitalized residents due to the virus. Of those hospitalized, 41, or 82%, are unvaccinated. Of the unvaccinated patients, 19 are in the ICU on a ventilator and 8 are in the ICU but not on a ventilator.
Only one of the hospitalized vaccinated residents is in the ICU. Data comes from the Hays County Local Health Department (HCLHD), which receives information from the hospital systems that
Pfizer’s COVID vaccine receives FDA approval
Bound for home
Hill Country Lights Out program is for the birds
BY SAHAR CHMAIS Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine is the first to receive FDA approval for individuals ages 16 and older, according to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). Pfizer’s vaccine will be marketed under the name Comirnaty. The FDA gave its approval only to Comirnaty for certain age groups, but the vaccine will still be provided to individuals ages 12 and older, under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). “While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization, as the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “While millions of people have already safely received COVID-19 vaccines, we recognize that for some, the FDA approval of a vaccine may now instill
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are accepting COVID-19 patients. Hays County is still offering free vaccines to anyone ages 12 and older. For those who are homebound, HCLHD can arrange for a mobile vaccine.
COURTESY PHOTO
DSISD parent James Akers disrobed at this week’s school board meeting to make a point of how wearing a mask isn’t just for yourself, but for the concern of others as well.
Pants come down
DSISD parents bare their feelings on masks Despite impassioned pleas to the school board, the district will not make changes to their masking policy, which is masks optional but highly recommended.
BY SAHAR CHMAIS
stop the interruptions, which attendees were instructed not to do at the beginning of the meeting. But they did not stop. Never ever, some stated about masks. sometimes I gotta push But what was clear Some parents shared the envelope a little bit. is more parents who stories they have spoI just decided I’m not attended the DSISD ken before about how going to just talk about Board meeting want a the masks are affecting it, but I’m going to walk choice for their kids on their children. Wheththe walk. At work they wearing masks. These er it is affecting their make me wear this pleas came with a lot of mental, developmenjacket; I hate it. They emotions. tal or physical health, make me wear this Watching the entire they are worried about shirt and tie; I hate it.” meeting felt familiar, enforcing masks. Some parents like a courtroom drama One mother recalled cheered Akers on, but – gasps, cheers, interher child getting CO2 there was also scruruptions, applause and poisoning and almost tiny. Whether it was the bang of a gavel to dying because of wearAkers’ actions, words stop the outbursts. Yes, ing a mask for too long. or a combination of the gavel was used on the two, it is not clear. multiple occasions to MASKS OPTIONAL, 12
The Dripping Springs ISD meeting got heated when a man took off his shirt and pants to prove a point about the necessity of masks. James Akers anecdotally said he ran traffic lights which almost killed somebody, then parked in a handicapped spot because all the other spots were full. Akers was trying to make his point about how sometimes following the rules, such as wearing a mask, is for the benefit of others. “I do not like government or any other entity telling me what to do,” Akers said. “But
Coming Up RIBBON CUTTINGS WILL FEATURE TOURS OF TWO NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD
Dripping Springs ISD will hold ribbon-cutting events at its two new elementary school buildings in early September. The events will include a brief program and an outdoor ribboncutting, as well as an opportunity for guests to tour the building in
STATE NEWS
small groups. The Walnut Springs Elementary event, celebrating the school’s new location at 113 Tiger Lane, will be 6-7 p.m. Sept. 2. Cypress Springs Elementary, DSISD’s fifth elementary school and first in Driftwood (11091 Darden Hill Rd.), will hold its event 6-7 p.m. Sept. 9.
CALLING ALL KYLES!
Despite the cancelation of the annual Pie in the
Veteran reporter Gary Rodgers touches on Capital Highlights.
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Sky Festival Labor Day weekend, Kyle officials are trying to gather as many festival goers as possible with the name “Kyle” in an effort to break the world record for the most Kyles in one place. The gathering will occur on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. There will be a group photo and official sign in.
MASTER GARDENERS ON THE PORCH AT THE DRIPPING SPRINGS LIBRARY
Stop by the porch at the Dripping Springs Community Library and the amazing Master Gardener
crew will be there to lend a hand with any gardening questions you have. They will be available for questions 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 26.
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BY MEGAN WEHRING DRIPPING SPRINGS — The city launched ‘Lights Out Dripping Springs’ to help birds migrate. Millions of birds, from hummingbirds to geese, migrate across North America every year — mostly at night. Residents and businesses are encouraged to take a pledge to turn off exterior lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Sept. 5 through Oct. 29 and March 15 through June 15. City council has also proclaimed August through October and March through May as Lights Out Migratory Months. Dripping Springs commences this annual program to help birds make it to their destinations safely. Lights Out Dripping Springs is part of Audubon’s national initiative, established in 1999 to protect birds from light pollution. By turning off excess lighting during the months migrating birds are flying overhead, communities can help provide them safe passage between their nesting and wintering grounds. Dripping Springs residents should follow these guidelines during these guidelines: • Turn off exterior decorative lighting. • Use light only when and where needed. • Use only as much light as needed. • Aim needed lights downExtinguish pot and floodlights. • Minimize blue light emissionsUse energy efficient lighting sources and fixtures.
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