Analysis: Masking the real problem — a deadly virus
More people are out and about, and coronavirus cases are rising in Texas. But there's an easy way to limit the spread of the virus, if people will set their politics aside: masks. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8566fa820107988cdf847787b0634619/Reopen%20Texas%20Protest%20JV%20TT%2008.jpg)
-
![A protestor with a 'Don't Tread On Me' flag tied to his rilfe at the 'Re-Open America' protest at the state Capitol.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott says he supports making to-go alcohol sales permanent in Texas
State Rep. Tan Parker said he will file a bill in the upcoming legislative session to extend to-go alcohol sales past the coronavirus pandemic. The Texas Restaurant Association also has asked Abbott to expand the waiver to allow mixed drinks with liquor to be prepared, resealed and sold. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ec6bdf43cd33bdeb0fc1eeccdc6f52ee/Bars%20and%20Bowling%20Alleys%20reopen%20JV%20TT%2013.jpg)
![Customers, one wearing a mask, enjoy drinks and dinner at B.D. Riley's Irish Pub on West 6th Street as Texas bars reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic. May 22, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas attributes record-high coronavirus cases to bars, beaches and a data backlog in Harris County
More than 4,400 positive cases were reported Saturday. The state also set its ninth consecutive record for hospitalizations, but officials say hospital capacity isn't a concern. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4d767a9b942a4b942520b5f5b47403dd/ATX%20COVID%20Testing%20AG%20TT%2008.jpg)
![A health care worker talks to a potential COVID-19 patient at a drive-through testing site at an Austin Emergency Center on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
13 University of Texas football players test positive for coronavirus
Across the state, other universities have also reported student athletes testing positive for COVID-19 as workouts for sports have resumed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aeaf8ad44bb8ff39bcd4755c258e6286/UT%20Football%20Longhorns%20Hook%20Em%20TT.jpg)
![The University of Texas football team celebrates after defeating the Utah Utes at the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Erich Schlegel via USA TODAY Sports -
Texas coronavirus hospitalizations hit record highs for a full week
The state reported a total of 2,947 people in hospitals on Thursday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ab1fe813c9d2d1367cf142768126e778/Nursing%20Home%20COVID%20REUTERS%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Healthcare workers transport a patient on a stretcher from the Southeast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center nursing home in San Antonio. April 4, 2020.]()
Credit: Go Nakamura/REUTERS -
As COVID-19 cases surge in Texas, a hospital administrator retires — but is ready to jump back into the fight
A hospital says goodbye, a restaurant welcomes diners back and others reflect on the pandemic’s lessons. In the finale of our weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/92d4345c98cb65d2b91fdd323235ab6e/Donna%20Boatright%20WK11%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Smiling as she notices the incoming air ambulance helicopter, outgoing CEO Donna Boatright watches it land in the parking lot of Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital in Sweetwater June 12, 2020. The crew came out to congratulate Boatright on her retirement, the party for it being held in front of the hospital.]()
Credit: Ronald W. Erdrich for The Texas Tribune -
Bexar and Hidalgo counties require face masks in businesses as coronavirus surges. Other Texas leaders consider similar measures.
Austin's mayor issued a similar order late Wednesday. Local leaders have been asking for the ability to impose more strict mask orders, but Gov. Greg Abbott never publicly mentioned that one option was ordering businesses to require them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3cc845b7f95dd3e88a843034375ef7cf/The%20Barn%20Door%20SATX%20CL%20TT%2020.jpg)
![The Barn Door restaurant during dinner service in San Antonio on May 18, 2020.]()
Credit: Christopher Lee for The Texas Tribune -
Texas A&M announces more online offerings, classroom capacity caps and daily cleaning schedules for fall return
The university announced the latest changes Tuesday to accommodate students returning in the fall amid the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a93d4c5c53bae2810ded0abb1604d349/TAMU%20File%20AG%20TT%2013.jpg)
![The Texas A&M University campus on June 15, 2020 in College Station.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
The new coronavirus has killed more than 2,000 people in Texas
The true death toll is certainly higher than the state's official count. It is now routine to add two or three dozen deaths to the tally every afternoon. And each day, more Texans are catching the virus that might kill them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9fb71905d2d270fbf7cf3222de36dbf5/COVID%20Testing%20Alpine%20Marfa%20SV%20TT%2037.jpg)
![A healthcare worker preps for a COVID-19 test at the drive-thru testing station in Alpine on April 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Sarah M. Vasquez for The Texas Tribune -
Surge in coronavirus cases linked to more Texans in their 20s getting sick, officials say
Gov. Greg Abbott and health experts say young adults may be taking social distancing less seriously. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/46577d4d189e92b1584ee85aa543b0d6/Bars%20and%20Bowling%20Alleys%20reopen%20JV%20TT%2019.jpg)
![Customers wait in line to enter Chupacabra Cantina in downtown Austin as Texas bars reopened on May 22, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Years after a judge ordered fixes, Texas’ child welfare system continues to expose children to harm, federal monitors say
Two independent experts appointed to scrutinize the system described “a disjointed and dangerous child protection system ... where harm to children is at times overlooked, ignored or forgotten.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/23e69ecb75c1598d57aed8d63c865b21/Texas%20DFPS%20EG%20TT%2023.jpg)
![The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services offices in Austin on Nov. 14, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
As Texas coronavirus hospitalizations rise, local officials can recommend precautions but they can't enforce many of them
Austin-area officials recommended Monday that businesses further limit operations. But an order from Gov. Greg Abbott doesn't let them enforce those suggestions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/516f05cb6188086e93813e1772df507d/ATX%20Covid%20May%20MG%20TT%2003.jpg)
![A sign requiring masks is posted at Cosmic Cowboy on South Congress Avenue on Austin. May 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
With coronavirus cases climbing, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says "no real need" to scale back business reopenings
He cited the number of hospital beds available in the state as a reason. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/562ead02432f9ef5ec2b9b7b8b702239/ATX%20COVID%20Reopening%20AG%20TT%2013.jpg)
![Signs posted on the door of Ruth's Chris Steak House outline the restaurant's social distancing guidelines on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 in Austin.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Casting nervous looks at Texas’ medical charts as numbers worsen
State leaders knew COVID-19 cases would rise as businesses and other public places opened, but steady increases over the last two weeks have everyone watching the numbers very closely. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/63d4a9fdf77b1ca7817341aabde678c3/Coronavirus%20May%20REUTERS%20TT%2003.JPG)
![Gov. Greg Abbott waits backstage before holding a press conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas on May 5, 2020.]()
Credit: USA Today Network via REUTERS -
The oil crash folded their old business. Now they’re betting on a new kind of oil.
A family launches a new business with a baby on the way. A small town stages a socially distant graduation. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/66c24da7c9b71eb03e26627b47f770ae/Joseph%20Norman%20WK%2010%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Courtesy of Joseph Norman -
Texas reports largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases
The state recorded a total of 2,504 new cases Wednesday, hitting a new high. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c17ba2470582126551435583ecfb5a4f/Drive%20Up%20Testing%20Site%20Kyle%20EG%20%20TT%2030.jpg)
![Licensed vocational nurse, Amber Phillips, notes information for the patient regarding their COVID-19 test at the Austin Regional Center in Kyle on March 31, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Outside of Texas' big cities, some are still waiting nearly a month for coronavirus test results from state-run mobile units
While many county leaders were grateful that Texas deployed coronavirus testing resources in their communities, others complained of a chaotic planning process and test results delayed for weeks. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/412785c633140fbdf70df6e29fe00ba4/National%20Guard%20COVID%20Testing%20TT.jpg)
![Soldiers with the Texas National Guard work at a drive-through COVID-19 testing center in Smithville on May 5, 2020.]()
Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK -
Number of Texans hospitalized with coronavirus hits all-time high as experts say cases are likely to continue increasing
The figures come a little more than a month since Gov. Greg Abbott's stay-at-home order expired and about two weeks after Memorial Day. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7353787d67906dab3869f6e28af109b7/Austin%20Hospital%20Exteriors%20EG%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Exterior of St. David's Medical Center in Austin on March 19, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas has spent more than $200 million on personal protective equipment orders to combat coronavirus
The state has issued purchase orders totaling $1.1 billion for protective equipment, but orders for $638 million worth of items have been canceled. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/67b7e6cfdc2e8d93f28dbbe8ae8ccb5b/PPE%20Training%20MF%20TT%2014.JPG)
![An attendee looks through different types of hoods during a personal protection equipment training session in Houston on March 12, 2020.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
In rural Texas, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought more accessible mental health care
Mental health services have always been scarce in Texas' vast rural stretches. But the pandemic has caused the state to lift restrictions on providing care online or by phone. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c39f0987ea8f0eb18251306413b3fa67/Small%20Town%20Texas%20JV%20TT%2028.jpg)
![A view of downtown Moody.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune