COVID19 – Page 4 – The Other Side Dallas

August 6, 2021August 6, 2021

TEA COVID19 Guidance

TEA COVID19 guidance to local school districts is out and it is flies in the face of Centers for Disease Control guidance. The Texas Education Agency has issued the following information.

The new guidance from TEA comes shortly after Governor Abbott denied emergency healthcare staffing for area hospitals experiencing a four fold increase in COVID19 hospitalizations in just a month’s time.

TEA COVID19 Guidance: COVID19 Vaccines

The coronavirus vaccine is not available for children younger than twelve, but for those students twelve or older, the vaccine will not be required despite other vaccines being necessary.

Statewide, Texas students in kindergarten-12th grade are required to be vaccinated against:

Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis
Polio
Measles/mMumps/Rubella (MMR)
Hepatitis A and B and
Varicella
After a student turns eleven, they are required to be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis.

TEA COVID19 Guidance: Parent Information

TEA guidance also says local ISDs do not have to inform parents of positive cases at their children’s school. They are required to report that information to state and local health departments.

Schools also don’t have to contact trace, but if they choose to do so, parents can still choose to send their kid to school if they are a “close contact” of a positive coronavirus case.

August 5, 2021August 6, 2021

Governor Abbott Denies COVID19 Response Resources

Govenor Abbott denies COVID19 response resources requested by Dallas area hospitals battling coronavirus admissions.

Hospitals in Dallas and throughout North Texas say they need hundreds of additional emergency staff to deal with a surge of COVID-19 cases. The state is denying their request for emergency personnel.

“Local governments across Texas now have access to more than $10 billion in federal Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds that are available to pay for urgent COVID-19 response needs, including medical surge staffing,” said Chris Van Deusen, director of media relations for DSHS.

He continues “… As always, emergency response begins at the local level. Encouraging health care facilities to utilize the resources already available within their communities will ensure the response can be as flexible as possible. They can work with their cities and counties to ramp up or shift necessary staffing as needed throughout this phase of the pandemic. Most health care facilities have relationships with staffing firms, but we can help connect them with the firms we used, if needed.”

Abbott Denies COVID19 Response Resources Despite Losing Republican Friend

Abbott’s move comes after Dickinson City Council member and State Republican Executive Committee member H. Scott Apley, 45, died in a local hospital around 3 a.m. Wednesday morning.

He was admitted to the facility in Galveston on Sunday with “pneumonia-like symptoms,” and was hooked up to a ventilator as his condition worsened.

Texas Republican Party Chairman Matt Rinaldi asked the Apley family be “lifted up in prayer,” but neglected to mention the fact that Apley’s death was COVID19-related or that he actively discredited attempts to slow the infections.

Apley is a staunch conservative and devout Christian. But based on his social media activity, Apley didn’t believe COVID was going to affect him or his family, and appears to have ties to the QAnon movement increasing in numbers in the Texas Republican Party.

August 4, 2021August 4, 2021

American Airlines Flight Fight

An American Airlines flight fight is making the rounds on social media.

The flight took place between Louis Armstrong International Airport in Louisiana to Austin’s Bergstrom Airport.

An American spokesman said “law enforcement were requested to meet American Eagle flight 4698, operated by Republic Airways, after arriving to Austin (AUS) from New Orleans (MSY) due to an altercation between passengers.”

One source said this had to do with seat being set too far back, but it is unclear if this is related to masks or social distancing, but last year, American Airlines was attacked by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley over social distancing concerns.

American Airlines Flight Fight Just One Of Many

In another incident, a passenger groped two flight attendants on a Frontier Airlines flight and ended up restrained with duct tape.

He then went on an epic rant about his parents’ “millions” in a case of what appears to be another case of intoxicated affluenza.

August 4, 2021August 4, 2021

Almost 700 New COVID19 Cases

There are almost 700 new COVID19 cases in a rolling seven day period said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.

Hospitalizations in the area are up also. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services – more than twice as many COVID19 hospitalizations are happening now as on July 18 and more than four times as many as on July 3.

Last year, Texas was one of ten “hot zone” states where COVID19 infections were surpassing expectations.

Per Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council President Stephen Love a majority of the people hospitalized with COVID-19 are not vaccinated. He encouraged everyone to get vaccinated.

700 New COVID19 Cases

The 700 new COVID18 cases represent the highest seven day average caseload of new infections since February 2021.

August 3, 2021August 3, 2021

Here We Go Again

Here we go again says Ellen’s owner, Joe Groves.

Rising numbers of COVID19 cases has the restaurant owner with a sign on his door informing his patrons to mask up or shut up.

Groves’ restaurant started mandating masks for its patrons last Thursday, July 29. Many, including Groves say they expect and are prepaing for the worst.

Here We Go Again Locally And Nationally

Locally, coronavirus numbers have returned to the same numbers as February 2021, similar to other parts of the country. In San Francisco though local bar and restaurant industry leaders acted similarly to Ellen’s: No Proof of Vaccination/No Service.

The San Francisco group represents five hundred bars who came together to say patrons must get a vaccine or skip going out to the bars represented by the group.

Beyond Groves, no organization has taken on the question of mandating masks or vaccination as strongly or as unified as the San Francisco example.

Currently, Governor Abbott has stopped localities from implementing government enforced requirements for masks or vaccinations.

July 31, 2021July 31, 2021

Dallas Firefighter Paid To Not Work – Twice

A Dallas firefighter paid to not work for COVID19 is now being paid to not work while on adminstrative leave. William Carter, a Dallas Fire Rescue firefighter at Engine 7, was arrested by Dallas Police Department (DPD) officers for felony theft.

The arrest comes just a day after sister agency Dallas Police had one of their own officers caught on camera punching a subject on the ground.

The warrant for Carter’s arrest alleges he lied about a positive virus diagnoses for himself, his spouse, and his child. As a result, Carter received more than $12,000 in paid sick leave from the Dallas Fire Rescue.

Firefighters in Dallas exposed to or diagnosed with COVID19 are given paid time off without having to use their own sick leave bank per Dallas policy. This benefit is also extended to a firefighter with family members who test positive for coronavirus.

Court documents show Carter received $12,548.86 in three payroll cycless over the course of his leave. The funds were coded as “COVID leave,” and were paid from the City of Dallas General Funds. This number does not account for the overtime paid to others to cover his shift requirements.

There has been no comment from IAFF Local 58, the union association, that represents Dallas Fire Rescue firefighters.

Dallas Firefighter Paid To Not Work, But Is He Exception?

Dallas firefighters started having the option to receive the COVID19 vaccination in December 2020, but there are still many who have not taken up the opportunity to be protected against COVID19.

Nationally, firefighters have avoided taking the vaccine at a rate of almost fifty percent in some jurisdictions, despite being on the front lines of the epidemic.

July 29, 2021July 29, 2021

COVID19 Numbers Highest Since February

COVID19 Numbers highest since February 2021 per Dallas County Health and Human Services with almost 1000 new cases report including several deaths. One of those deaths was a fifteen year old girl.

This time last year, Dallas was considered a medical hot zone for its COVID19 case load. Last week, UTSouthwestern pandemic modeling predicted six hundred new daily cases by August 9. Yesterday’s numbers top that by 60%.

Judge Jenkins released data about the new virus infections.

Locally, it is reported that Collin County and Tarrant both had hundreds of new infections reported also and that Denton County is down to ten ICU beds – the same issue driving restrictions earlier in the pandemic.

COVID19 Numbers Highest Since February – But Back To Normal?

Earlier in the week, Governor Abbott stated local governments and schools could not require a mask or vaccine mandate and it was a personal choice.

Dallas ISD has already said school will open under normal conditions with almost no option for virtual students.

July 29, 2021July 29, 2021

DISD Welcome Back 2021

DISD Welcome Back 2021 will happen Saturday, August 7, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center, located at 1201 E. Eighth Street at their We’re Ready Back to School Enrollment Fair.

Dallas Independent School District says it is ready for in-person instruction and to serve our families in a safe learning environment. Thousands of cases of COVID19 did hit staff and students across DISD last school year, including the Townview Magnet campus.

COVID19 numbers were manageable when school started in October 2020, but quickly shot up. Last year Dallas was considered a COVID19 medical hot zone and despite recent CDC guidance that all school staff and students should mask up regardless of vaccination status, Governor Abbott has denied localities the ability to mandate masks.

DISD Welcome Back 2021 Details

As DISD welcomes back staff and students, it is important to remember several standards that will be in place.

Currently, Dallas ISD will be back to in-person learning, districtwide, with the exception of hybird learners at the Dallas Hybrid Preparatory at Stephen J. Hay.

Additionally, the ISD will keep the nine-week grading periods this school year 2021-2022, the same as last. It is not clear if this will promote better learning or not.

Finally, there are three different school calendars which are campus specific. The base calendar is below.

Dallas ISD Calendar - DISD Welcome Back 2021

There are three different Dallas ISD 2021-2022 school year calendars.

A large majority of school campuses will have the base calendar. Forty-one schools will have an Intersession calendar, and five schools will have a School Day Redesign Calendar.

The alternative calendars are one part of a comprehensive effort the district is taking to help ensure the pandemic doesn’t have a long-lasting negative impact on student learning.

July 28, 2021July 28, 2021

K-12 CDC Mask Recommendation Ignored By Greg Abbott

The recent K-12 CDC Mask recommendation is being ignored by Governor Greg Abbott per statements reinforcing his May Executive Order.

The CDC has recommended everyone in the K-12 setting wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Children under 12 are not yet eligible for FDA authorized vaccinations.

When asked by a KXAN reporter about whether Texas would be allowed to enforce mask wearing his press secretary responded: “the time for government mandating of masks is over…”

The spokesperson goes on, “vaccines are the most effective defense against contracting COVID and becoming seriously ill, and we continue to urge all eligible Texans to get the vaccine. The COVID vaccine will always remain voluntary and never forced in Texas.”

K-12 CDC Mask Recommendation or Donald Trump?

It is not clear if the current course of action is due to the election calendar.

Governor Abbott is in a fierce primary contest for the Republican nomination for Governor. One of his opponents, Don Huffines, has already hit out at Abbott over the rolling blackouts and freezeout earlier in the year.

Abbott has soought the support of former President Donald Trump – despite a clear move away from Trump in many suburbs, including Dallas – over the infiltration of the Republican Party by QAnon.

June 15, 2021July 21, 2021

Dallas Parks Pools Disappoint Post COVID19

Dallas Parks pools are disappointing previous season ticket holders with confusing rules and a cumbersome new entry website post COVID19.

Season tickets which are sold out for the season require passholders to book multiple entry times per day unlike in past years.

There were several people who had season passes for last year and were never able to use the aquatic facilities due to coronavirus. In many cases they were slow to get a refund this year due to red tape.

The primary complaint seems to be that the new website is difficult to use and you have to leave for COVID19 decontamination at Dallas Aquatics facilities every two hours. Depending on the day of the week these mandatory half hour breaks turn into two to three hours of lost swim child for local participants.

Dallas Parks is also limiting entries into local facilities.

Dallas Parks created socially distanced “seating pods” which consist of a picnic table or a group of lounge chairs at each facility. Each seating pod is intended to accommodate one family group and will serve as a place for them to gather when not in the water. We are defining a family group as individuals who are attending the facility together (typically from the same household) and are regularly in close contact with each other.

The maximum capacity for a Community Swimming Pools for 2021 is 60 based on the deck space and available seating. Seating pods will be available to guests on a first-come first-serve basis and cannot be reserved, “saved,” or moved.

Dallas Parks Pools Locations

The City of Dallas has a listing of community pools and aquatic centers to find the location closest to you.

Dallas Parks did sponsor several drive through Halloween events last year to provide a positive parks experience during the pandemic and many are using facilities full bore for games, exercise, and meetings at various park facilities.