HAYS COUNTY – Through federal funding, the San Marcos Hays County EMS will be receiving two additional ambulances. 

On Aug. 9, the Hays County Commissioners Court unanimously approved to execute the Hays County American Rescue Plan Recovery Grant Agreement between Hays County and San Marcos Hays County EMS, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $796,795.

“We know with the growth of the county, we are going to continue to see more service for calls,” said Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe. “This would give San Marcos/Hays County the ability to have an ambulance in those high-volume times and if one goes down, there’s another one available, and a faster response time. I think this is going to be a great benefit.” 

Judge Ruben Becerra agreed with Commissioner Ingalsbe that the community and EMS will benefit from the grant. 

“This is a magnificent use of federal funds,” Becerra said.

The gunman who killed 21 people inside a Uvalde elementary school walked into the unlocked building unopposed, the Department of Public Safety said in a revised statement, as reported by the Austin American-Statesman and other media sources.

After the gunman crashed his grandmother’s truck in a ditch, he walked into the building while firing a semiautomatic weapon purchased just days after his 18th birthday. The shooter was inside a classroom for about an hour. Nineteen children and two teachers were killed before a tactical team got inside the building and killed him. 

The massacre is the second-deadliest school shooting in modern U.S. history.

Five Texas refineries exceed benzene limit

Five Texas refineries and one in Louisiana operated by a San Antonio company last year exceeded federal pollution limits for benzene emissions, which is listed as a carcinogenic chemical by the Environmental Protection Agency. Long-term exposure to benzene has caused blood disorders, according to a story in the San Antonio Express-News.

“In Texas, Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery, TotalEnergies’ Port Arthur refinery, Chevron’s Pasadena refinery, Flint Hills Resources’ Corpus Christi East refinery and LyondellBasell’s Houston refinery reported average benzene emissions in 2021 that were above the federal threshold of 9 micrograms per cubic meter,” the Express-News reported.

More than 6 million people in the United States live within 3 miles of an oil refinery, according to the EPA.

Boaters urged to ‘clean, drain, and dry’

As summer approaches and Texans head to the state’s lakes and rivers, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department urges boaters and paddlers to do their part to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species that are threatening Texas lakes.

“The best way to prevent the spread of many destructive aquatic invasive species is to clean, drain and dry your boats and equipment – every time,” Brian Van Zee, TPWD inland fisheries regional director, said.

Zebra mussels and giant salvinia continue to spread to new waterbodies in the state. Other highly invasive species that can be spread by boaters include water hyacinth, crested floating heart and quagga mussels.

“Boaters need to remove all plants, mud and debris from boats, trailers, vehicles and gear and drain the water from the boat, all equipment and on-board receptacles before leaving the lake. In addition, boats should be dried completely before visiting another lake, preferably for at least a week,” the news release said.

Texas home to most Fortune 500 companies

Texas now leads the nation as home to the most Fortune 500 companies, surpassing New York and California in the 2022 Fortune 500 list.

Texas is home to 53 top companies, with New York home to 51 and California with 50. In addition, Houston and Dallas are in the top five cities in the nation for Fortune 500 companies with 21 and 11 respectively.

Fortune 500 companies represent two-thirds of the nation’s GDP with revenues of $16.1 trillion. They employ 29.7 million people worldwide. 

“Thanks to our unmatched business environment, with no corporate or personal income taxes, a highly skilled and diverse workforce, easy access to global markets, and reasonable regulatory climate, Texas has more businesses relocating and expanding here in our state than ever before,” Gov. Greg Abbott said.

Nearly $5 million in trail grants announced

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission last week awarded $4.8 million in grants to fund 17 recreational trail-related projects across the state.

One million dollars of the amount allocated came directly from state Sporting Good Sales Tax funds dedicated to the Recreational Trails Program through a measure passed in the last legislative session.

The rest of the funding comes from a portion of the federal gas tax generated by gasoline purchases for off-road vehicles. Under the National Recreational Trails Fund, 30% of total grants it awards goes for motorized trails, with an equal amount going for non-motorized trails, while the rest is discretionary.

For a complete list of trail grants awarded, got to tpwd.gov and click the link under TPWD news.

Wildfire risk abates slightly

Recent rainfall has reduced the potential for widespread wildfires for much, but not all, of the state, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. However, hot and windy conditions are expected to return this week, bringing with them the increased risk of more wildfires, particularly in the Rolling Plains, Hill Country and South Texas areas of the state.

As of Friday, there was one active wildfire, in Taylor County. The Mesquite Heat Fire consumed nearly 11,000 acres and was 82% contained. There are currently 132 counties with burn bans.

Number of new COVID-19 cases rising

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Texas rose to 32,778 in the past week, up 22% from the previous week, according to the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University, with 46 deaths reported across the state, a slight decrease. The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 931 lab-confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Friday in Texas, up slightly from the previous week.

Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches and Cedar Park. Email: gborders@texaspress.com.

BUDA – Hundreds and thousands of healthcare workers left their jobs amid the pandemic – citing that burnout and high-stress work environments are some of the main reasons. 

For Erin Desmarais, she felt that it was the right time for her to join Baylor Scott & White in Buda as a Patient Care Technician. 

“I stuck my foot in the door and jumped right into it,” Desmarais said. 

Why did she make that decision? Desmarais credits her mother, a nurse of over 20 years, for convincing her to relieve the staffing shortage. 

“Originally, when I was younger, I did have an interest in healthcare,” Desmarais said. “[Since my mom was a nurse], I got to see a little bit of the realistic standards of nursing and the responsibilities that came with it. So, honestly, I was a little bit tentative to get into healthcare [at first] but my mom [has been] a nurse for 20 years and she works for Baylor Scott & White. She told me, ‘We are short on people and I know you are looking for another job, so give it a try and then you’ll see if you want to be in healthcare.’”

From firsthand experience, Desmarais has never known healthcare outside of the pandemic. But she said that there was a learning curve to pick up on the standards and responsibilities that come with treating COVID-19 patients. 

As Desmarais is still studying at Texas State University, while also working as a PCT, she encourages her peers and anybody else interested in healthcare to pursue their goals.

“If it’s something you are passionate about and considering, just go for it,” Desmarais said. “Give it a try. … If you find out that nursing isn’t for you, there are so many other options. There are other skills that you learn besides just medicine. You learn people skills and you can get involved in your community. It can be a big responsibility, to be honest but it is definitely [rewarding] when you see people in your community getting better, because of actions that you and your coworkers have done for them."

HAYS COUNTY – Now is a good time for parents to look into having their child go in for a physical or wellness exam. 

During the past two years, many children missed necessary check-ups and recommended vaccinations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Following disruptions from COVID-19, the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend children catch up on routine childhood vaccinations.

Well-child visits and recommended vaccinations are essential and help make sure children stay healthy, the CDC said.

Students who are in sports must also undergo a physical exam to participate in athletic activity.

Well-child visits can be used to approve the child’s participation in sports as long as the visit is scheduled within six months prior to participation, and then the pediatrician can sign the necessary paperwork without a second visit, according to Baylor Scott & White.

While some schools do offer group physicals for student athletes, it may not assess the overall health of the child.

“That’s usually organized by schools through their trainers,” said Dr. Emily Fisher, Baylor Scott & White in Buda. “They do whole teams where they say, ‘alright, everybody come in and let’s get checked up on everything. That doesn't totally replace coming in [to the doctor’s office] with a parent to make sure that everything else is up to date. But it is great to get kids back safely into activities so they can participate.”

Fisher recommends late spring to summer for children to get their check-ups done.

“Typically, summers are a big time for families,” Fisher explained. “I think they have a little more scheduling flexibility and it’s less disruptive. But it’s also a really good reset between school years. So if there were academic troubles, behavioral issues or missed days due to illness, summer is a good time to reflect and play up for the next year to be even better and healthier.”

Some Texas parents can now feel a bit of relief when it comes to feeding their families. 

On April 12, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a fourth round of federal Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) food benefits for Texas families with children who temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to COVID-19.

"Thank you to HHSC and TEA [Texas Education Agency] for working with the USDA to secure these food benefits for Texas families," Abbott said. "The P-EBT program has strengthened our efforts over the past two years to ensure families and children across the state have access to nutritious meals."

HHSC received federal approval to provide more than $626 million in benefits to approximately 2.1 million eligible children in Texas for the 2021-2022 school year, according to a news release. To date, HHSC has distributed approximately $6.13 billion in P-EBT food benefits to Texas families.  

"We’re thankful for the opportunity to continue this successful P-EBT program in Texas," said Wayne Salter, HHS deputy executive commissioner of Access and Eligibility Services. "These food benefits provide much-needed assistance to families and children impacted by school closures."

To be eligible for the 2021-2022 school year P-EBT, students must be certified for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) at their school and have experienced COVID-related absences, virtual attendance or campus closures. The P-EBT is based on the number of days an individual student did not receive in-person instruction due to COVID-19 illness. Families will receive $7.10 for each eligible day.

Receiving free meals at school does not automatically qualify a child for P-EBT. A student is NSLP-certified with a school-approved NSLP household application, when directly certified through programs like SNAP, Medicaid or TANF, or if they are enrolled in a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school or Provision 2 (P2) school.

Eligible families who currently receive SNAP, and those who have received P-EBT in the past, will receive benefits on their existing Lone Star Card or P-EBT Card. They will be mailed a notice with information about their student’s benefit amount and do not need to take any action.

Eligible families who do not currently receive SNAP and have never received P-EBT will be mailed a notice with a claim code because additional information is needed to issue benefits. The notice will explain how they can claim benefits for eligible students within 90 days by calling the P-EBT Call Center or visiting YourTexasBenefits.com.

Some families will start receiving P-EBT benefits as early as the week of April 18. Other families may receive their benefits beginning in July, based on when schools provide student information to HHSC.

Visit hhs.texas.gov/pebt or call the P-EBT Call Center at 833-442-1255 to learn more.

Texas – According to a report published by personal-finance website WalletHub, Texas was ranked the ninth most stressful state to live in. Louisiana was ranked first, while Utah was ranked the lowest at 50. 

The report determined the level of stress by comparing 41 key metrics across the states. Things such as credit score, housing cost, crime rate, divorce rate and more were observed, and then combined to determine the overall stress of living in each state. For example, Texas was ranked first in the number of average hours worked per week. 

Texas also scored very highly when it came to stress related to work, coming in second only to Alaska, and followed closely by Louisiana. During the COVID-19 epidemic, and the sudden burst of economic and population growth, it’s no wonder that many Texans aren’t exactly calm in their business. Texas also came in at fourth most stressed in matters regarding family, earning it a very high ranking overall. 

“I am a mindfulness researcher and I am convinced that above the lowest threshold, awareness of what brings us joy versus what stresses us out is the most important thing to sculpt a life worth living,” Doctor Maryanna D. Klatt, a professor at the Ohio State University College of Medicine said.

However, Texans were able to slip out of the top five by a few metrics; one place where Texans weren’t stressed was in the wallet. When ranked by stress induced by money, Texans got off easy at rank 32, and while not precisely high, Texans did escape the top ten when it came to stress involving health and safety, landing at rank 14. Michele Schalin of Mindful Metamorphosis, a local therapy group, believes that the modern blending of work and social life may be the cause for why Texan’s are so stressed.

“We used to have a very fine line, where work ended and work begun. Years ago, it used to be that you'd work 9 to 5, like the song, that's it.” Schalin said. "Part of calming your body and mind down involves nature; years ago, that's where we were. We don't have balance, in mind, body or nature."

Other interesting tidbits about the lone star state provided by the report showed that Texas was ranked fifth in states stressed about the median credit score. Texas also was also rank 30 when it came to stress induced by housing affordability. 

Alisia Tran who holds a doctorate in psychology and is an associate professor at the University of Arizona recommends that when fighting stress, you should approach it from multiple fronts such as identifying stress and using practices to reduce it in the moment, as well as finding ways to reduce it over all.

“Fighting stress is an individual process so I think the first thing to do is identify what is the cause or source of your stress, what helps reduce stress for you at that moment and more generally what resources do you have at your disposal to deal with the stress,” Tran said.

For more information, and to read the report, visit WalletHub.com or Wallethub.com/edu/most-stressful-states/32218. To learn more about Mindful Metamorphosis, visit mschalin.com.

Buda – On April 23rd and 24th, the Lions Club will be hosting its 25th annual Wiener Dog Race in Buda City Park with a grand prize of $500 for first place. This will be the first race since the COVID-19 epidemic began, with the previous two years of races being cancelled due to the virus.

Registry for the event is currently active, with participation costing $25 per dog, with a $5 late fee for registry the day of. For those whose dogs might not have been on their a-game, there is an option for their dachshund to have another shot; for $10, the hound can be placed into the next available race. In addition, if you’re afraid that your pooch isn’t quite up to snuff to be a purebred weenie dog for the onsite veterinarians, there is also a mixed breed race available. No medical documents will be required on registry, but owners will be expected to provide them if necessary.

There will also feature the Saber Guild, a Star Wars inspired recreation group, and musical performances by The Merles and Western Express. In addition, the event will also be an International Barbeque Cookers Association certified contest. Food will be provided by different vendors, alongside numerous arts & crafts booths. Parking will be provided in limited capacity at Buda City Park, and Cabela’s Sporting Goods; buses will be provided for those who park at Cabela’s. Lions Club members Charles and Nancy Handrick are two of the volunteers helping get the races up and running. 

“We have put the information out there, and she said she has a little over a 100 dogs registered already, and that’s preregistration. So, on the day of, we have a lot of walk ups,” Charles Hendrick said. 

The history of the Buda Wiener Dog Races traces back 25 years, after one of the Lions Club members witnessed a Wiener Dog race elsewhere; inspired, the club member took the idea back to her Buda club and organized the event. The race quickly gained the attention of the public after CBS journalist Bill Geist did a story over it, and soon, it grew from a 35 dog race to an over 400 hound destination for dachshund lovers nationwide. While the number of wiener dogs participating has gone down since then, and the past two years were skipped, the club is eager to get things started again. The races, which are done with four to five hounds at a time, can get competitive with strict regulation in place.

“For us, we put them in the back of the box, and you come around to the front of the box. You get your pups attention; then we’ll ask the owner to back up 70 feet, and then 15 feet further back, so long as you keep your dog’s attention, and with one of the stipulations being no real food in the race track,” Charles Hendrick said. “The true racers that come there that are racing for the money, they have their dogs trained, and have been training. I’d say about 90 percent of them are here for the atmosphere.” 

The Lions Club has had some losses however, with the most noticeable being the passing of James Michael (Mike) Huckaby in February this year. Huckaby, in addition to being a double purple heart decorated veteran, had been the announcer for the Wiener Dog race for the past 24 years, and was a founding member of the Lions Club. Huckaby even had his life celebrated in Buda City Park, the location of the annual race. Another member of the club who helped organize the event, Keith Cooper, also passed away. Huckaby’s successor will be Keith Handrick, son of Nancy and Charles. 

“Every day he lived his life to the fullest.” Nancy Handrick said.

The latest race is shaping up to be the most spectacular yet, with a host of new features and time-honored traditions. This year will mark the use of a new pedal operated racing gate, as well as a new poster and theme spoofing the "Lion King", dubbed the "Wiener King." The theme itself was developed for the Lions Club by William Marketing, and like previous years' themes "Wonder Wiener" and "Game of Wieners," it will be available to purchase on the website as a poster alongside other merchandise. William Marketing also provide the massive first place trophy. 

“They love their dogs. Don’t say anything derogatory about the little wiener dogs. This year, this poster, it was hand drawn; well it’s, we didn’t actually hold up a dog, because some lady done called us and told us ‘that is not how you hold a wiener dog,” Charles Handrick said. “Yes ma’am, no dogs were harmed in the making of this poster.” 

The Lions Club is an international nonprofit dedicated to helping serve their communities and help those with vision impairments. They also offer services to the blind and diabetic, as well as operating the Texas Lions Camp for children with physical disabilities. For more information, visit LionsClub.org or BudaLionsClub.com

 As part of National Public Health Week (April 4-10), the Hays County Local Health Department (HCLHD) is aiming to spotlight its efforts to address health disparities. 

 With grants from the Texas Department of State Health Services, the HCLHD created the Community Outreach Program to address health disparities in the local Hispanic community and among school-aged children that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The COVID-19 Health Disparities Grant and the Public Health Workforce Expansion Grant provide $400,000 and $330,000, respectively, to the HCLHD for the program. Funding runs through May 2023. 

 “During National Public Health Week, we will be promoting various public health topics to highlight the many ways in which we can improve the health and social determinants of our residents,” said program manager Matthew Gonzales. 

Focal points of the program include:

Infrastructure

Identify the workforce in place/to be hired to engage the targeted communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and build sustainable relationships in those communities

Community engagement

Identify and engage the targeted communities to explore and document reasons why their community was so impacted by COVID-19

COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations

Identify and develop activities to maximize COVID-19 and Influenza vaccination rates in the targeted communities

Partnership directory

Identify and engage with new and existing community partners to address health disparities

Health disparities intervention design

Describe efforts to design an intervention aimed at addressing one of the factors that made the targeted community so vulnerable to COVID-19

The program is also working to establish the HCLHD as a focal point for public health education, resources and information for other organizations. 

“This program enables us to create partnerships that will empower local governmental agencies, organizations and providers with the capability to decrease health disparities across Hays County,” said HCLHD Director Tammy Crumley.  

If any individual or organization would like to get involved with the program, contact program manager Matthew Gonzales at (512) 214-5918 or matthew.gonzales@co.hays.tx.us. 

HAYS COUNTY — Hays County has provided over $2 million in financial relief to residents through its COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program. 

The ERA program was created after the county received federal funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury to contribute rent, utilities and housing stability to qualifying households that were affected by the pandemic. Hays County currently has approximately 400 open tickets, 130 pending citizen completion, 25 under Auditor review and 230 under case worker review, according to data given at the March 29 Commissioners Court meeting.

Ardurra Group Inc., the new ERA program manager, is working on sending out communication materials to the public. 

“They are working on the material for not only print distribution but digital distribution,” said Tammy Crumley, Director of Countywide Operations. “They are working on drafts of emails and letters to go out from the renters to the landlords, vise versa. I’m not sure what that looks like yet. Then from school officials to parents.”

County Judge Ruben Becerra emphasized that Ardurra should make sure that any communication materials should be included in both English and Spanish. 

How can homeowners get help?

Becerra also pointed out that homeowners who are struggling to pay their mortgage, property taxes and other home-related fees have an option. 

“There is a magnificent piece that the state and the federal government are working on,” Becerra said. “This is Emergency Rental Assistance. I can’t get tired of saying it enough. All of those who are homeowners are left out. There is a program that the state manages, [which is] federally funded, that is mortgage assistance for all of the homeowners.” 

Commissioner Walt Smith said that over the course of the last few weeks, he had meetings with the state of Texas, specifically with the homeowner assistance program. 

“I’m happy to announce that to everyone who is in Hays County who is currently behind on their mortgage, our tax office has entered into a partnership with the state,” Smith explained. “Any letter that is received by a homeowner pursuant to them either being behind on their taxes or if they are in fault of their last tax bill, there is direct information in that letter to that program.”

Smith added that the program not only helps homeowners with their mortgage but it pays for any and all property taxes, utilities and HOA fees. There are a number of fees that fall under the program. 

“The state is looking at establishing permanent processing centers for people to go in and apply for that if they don’t have internet access,” Smith said. “They are talking about having a process for pop-up centers where they would advertise for two to three weeks and they come to a county to do a pop-up center where people can go in without an appointment and sign up for the program. They have not done that yet.” 

Kyle – The Journey Methodist Church is coming together to help 90 year old veteran Chuck Sherwood and his 76 year old wife Sherry Sherwood build a new home on their property. The new home is being built out of a prefabricated shell, with new amenities being added by volunteers and paid for by donors. 

The project was headed by Pastor Kenneth J. Polk, who helped direct the effort after being alerted by Meals On Wheels, an organization dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. The group contacted them, hoping that they could do something to help the Sherwoods. Once discovering the state of their home, and after failed attempts to repair the home, followed by the disastrous impact of COVID-19 and the winter freeze, the church resolved to help them as best they can, going as far as Polk himself delivering water to the Sherwoods.

“When we got there, the house was the worst house in the world. Plumbing doesn’t work, only one window unit with tape all over it, the roof leaked, no hot water heater, so no hot water in five years.” Polk said. “We tried a lot of different methods, but we couldn’t get anything to happen. So people donated money, and we got one of those pre-made buildings to turn into a real home.”

The structure was bought by the church, and is being renovated by volunteers from the church like Doug and Scheryl Ragsdale. While only 12 by 36 feet in size with no drywall or flooring, the goal is to transform the house into a comfortable living space, with air conditioning, heat, running water, and a functional bathroom suited for the elderly couple.

“We love each other, we love the community, and we’re gonna reach out as many times as we can. This has been a pretty big project. At one point, we had a trailer, but that was too small. We’re really happy where god has led us, and it’s pretty much a miracle that what you see right there is standing there.” Doug Ragsdale said. 

Chuck, who is a veteran and currently in physical therapy, requires visits from nurses and must use a wheelchair to move, will be receiving a new sit-down shower and a new ramp connecting his old house to his new home, as well as a new TV and a recliner to watch it from. His wife, Sherry, will be moving in alongside him. When asked what she would say to all the people who were helping them and donating money, Sherry said that she “felt like the luckiest girl in the world,” and that “She would thank them all very kindly.”

The construction of the new house is underway, with the structure of the house now up, but work is far from over. Plumbing, wiring, drywall and more will need to be brought in and installed. Volunteers are welcomed from anywhere to help out, either through direct work or donations. Markus Terwilliger, a volunteer from Journey Methodist Church, was one of the volunteers who was helping install the roof for the bathroom. 

“There was a lot of mission work that was going on in south Texas down around the lower Colorado river that had been flooded a couple years ago. There was a lot of call to go down into towns around that area. I didn’t mind doing that, I really like mission work. But when there was a call to do something close by, it made sense,” Terwiliger said. “Why would you travel three hours when there is somebody across town who really needs your help?”

For those wishing to volunteer or donate to the project, you can reach the Journey Methodist Church and Pastor Polk at pastorkp@thejourneyumc.org or 830-358-8708.

An Eastland County sheriff’s deputy died Thursday as wildfires swept through several small Texas communities west of Dallas, destroying at least 50 homes and charring more than 54,000 acres as of Sunday.

Deputy Sgt. Barbara Fenley died while going door to door warning people to flee, according to the Austin American-Statesman. 

Sgt. Fenley ran off a smoke-covered road and was engulfed in the fire, the sheriff said.

Several wildfires merged to form what is now known as the Eastland Complex fire. The blaze started last Thursday afternoon and in less than three hours destroyed 86 houses in Carbon, a town of just 272 residents in Eastland County, about 120 miles west of Dallas.

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 11 counties in response to the wildfires. 

“I commend the hard work and selfless acts of thousands of first responders and firefighters who are risking their own lives to protect our communities,” Abbott said.  “I also ask Texans to join me in praying for those who have been affected by these wildfires, including Eastland County Deputy Barbara Fenley, who was tragically killed while trying to save lives.”

Two dozen teachers added to task force

The Texas Education Agency has added two dozen teachers to its recently formed Teacher Vacancy Task Force. TEA faced criticism when the original 28-member panel only contained two teachers, with high-level administrators making up the rest. 

The task force was formed at the behest of Abbott in response to a growing shortage of teachers across the state. Its goal is to “better understand the significant staffing challenges facing Texas public schools and to make comprehensive recommendations to address these issues,” according to TEA.

Josue Torres of Forney, an elementary school math teacher from Dallas ISD, will serve as chair of the task force. 

“The reason I got into education is because I believe that a student’s zip code shouldn’t determine his or her fate,” Torres said. “This task force has the ability to recommend the needed changes and innovative solutions necessary to ensure all Texas students have access to the high-quality educators they deserve.”

2021 second-deadliest year on Texas roads

Traffic fatalities in the state were up 15% last year, making 2021 the second-deadliest year on Texas roads with 4,480 people killed — the highest total since 1981, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

Commissioner Laura Ryan pointed out that roadway safety is a shared responsibility between the public, engineers and law enforcement. 

In 2021, 1,522 people died because of speed-related causes, and 1,219 were killed because they were not wearing seat belts, Ryan said. 

“Driver behavior is one of the causes but also one of the most important solutions,” she said. 

With increased focus on engineering, enforcement and on the critical role drivers play in road safety, Ryan and TxDOT leaders believe the state can end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX is a broad social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel, such as wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, never texting and driving, and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. 

The last deathless day on Texas roadways was more than 21 years ago — Nov. 7, 2000.

Nominations sought for Heroes for Children award

Thousands of Texas volunteer at the state’s public schools, and the State Board of Education would like to recognize some of them with a Heroes for Children Award. Any Texas resident who contributes time, service or support to public schools and student can be nominated. School employees or elected officials are not eligible. 

One recipient will be chosen for each of the 15 SBOE districts in the state. Award recipients will be recognized at the board’s September meeting. The deadline for nominations is July 15. Additional information and access to the nomination form can be found at https://tea.texas.gov/Heroes_for_Children.aspx .

COVID-19 cases still dropping

The number of new COVID-19 cases dropped once again to 18,744 in the past week, according to the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University, with 418 deaths recorded. Two months ago, largely as a result of the omicron variant, 440,341 cases were reported along with 2,311 deaths. 

The number of lab-confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations also dropped to 1,605, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, down 20% from the previous week. 

DSHS reports 17.373 million Texans are fully vaccinated, which is 59.6% of the total population. In addition, 6.429 million of the state’s residents have received a booster dose.

Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches and Cedar Park. Email: gborders@texaspress.com.

HAYS COUNTY – Those who are looking to get a COVID-19 test at a Curative site will need to provide proof of insurance. 

The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced that it is no longer able to accept claims for COVID-19 testing of uninsured patients due to lack of funding. Effective immediately,  Curative testing sites in Hays county are no longer able to provide free tests for uninsured patients. Claims for COVID testing and treatment will stop being accepted on March 22 at 11:59 p.m, according to HRSA.

Patients will be required to provide identification and insurance information to schedule a testing appointment online or on-site registration. The test will continue to be provided at no out-of-pocket cost upon proof of insurance.

The Hays County Local Health Department encourages uninsured individuals to check with their healthcare provider or other testing locations in advance to learn how this announcement impacts them.

For more information, please visit https://www.hrsa.gov/CovidUninsuredClaim

DRIPPING SPRINGS — Community members are encouraged to provide feedback to Dripping Springs (DSISD) on how the district should use Federal Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) Grant programs. 

These funds provide additional resources to school districts for unreimbursed costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and for intensive educational support for learning loss, according to DSISD. The district has met the criteria to receive the funds and was allocated $2.4 million in ESSER III funds and $2.5 million in ESSER Supplemental funds to be used by 2024. As required in the grant, school districts must expend a minimum of 20% of the grant fund on evidence-based interventions; and ensure interventions respond to students’ academic, social and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on certain student populations. 

DSISD is required to review and revise its plan every six months, including receiving stakeholder input. In an effort to obtain parent and community feedback, the district has developed a community survey. The survey will be open to the public until Monday, March 14: https://www.dsisdtx.us/esser. 

Community feedback will be reviewed and considered as the district creates and updates its plans. More information about the ESSER program can be found on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website: https://tea.texas.gov/finance-and-grants

As the search for a new Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program manager continues, Hays County has lost more rental assistance funds for the program — and residents that are most in need of aid are at risk of not receiving any in a timely manner. 

County officials reported on Feb. 11 that another $1.7 million in rental assistance funds was recaptured by the U.S. Treasury Department on Feb. 10. This comes after $772,291 was recaptured in September. 

The county initially received $6.9 million in funds from the Treasury’s ERA1 program in January 2021. Funds were to be paid to landlords, utility service providers and hotels to aid qualified residents who have been impacted by COVID-19 relative to rental and utility payments in order to prevent evictions and shut off utility services. 

Additionally, the county decided to handle the management of the program “in-house,” rather than hire a third party, in order to lower administrative costs and maximize the funding available to residents. 

The Treasury has specific guidelines for disseminating the funds, and, under the federal guidelines for this grant, periodically reviews the county to assess the funding distribution. While the county has paid out about $1.2 million since the program’s official inception in July 2021, the now $2.4 million total loss is due to the county not meeting the Treasury’s “targeted milestones for distribution.”

While there are still millions of dollars in funds remaining, the county is at risk for getting more funds recaptured in the future if milestones continue to not be met. 

The county has unsuccessfully attempted to prevent the recapture of funds twice now — in September, when they submitted a program improvement plan to the Treasury, and on Feb. 7, when Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra sent a letter to U.S. Reps. Chip Roy (R), Roger Williams (R) and Lloyd Doggett (D) asking for an “extension of time” in order to adequately allocate the funding to residents. 

Becerra’s letter outlined how in the one-month period since the resignation of program manager Wesley Matthews on Jan. 7, the ERA program has processed 100 tickets in an amount of approximately $265,000, and an additional 88 tickets are under auditor review for payment processing. 

“Even after repeated direction from the commissioners court, the program manager isolated a single facet of individuals needing assistance, rather than utilizing a multi-faceted approach to reach as many citizens in need as possible,” Becerra wrote in the letter. 

Becerra went on to say that while they are aware they have not met the targeted milestone to retain funding, they are hopeful they will be granted the ability to retain funding and prevent future recaptures, given the measures they have taken to get the program on track and the significant progress made since Matthews’ departure. 

Despite Becerra’s claims that the program’s shortcomings were a result of Matthews’ “narrow approach,” Matthews said during the Feb. 1 commissioners court meeting that the program’s setbacks have largely been caused by a lack of staffing, and that he had been asking for additional case workers during his time as program manager. 

Matthews explained that with the two workers they had, they could only process around 40 tickets a month. With six workers — one for each precinct and the ERA office, he explained — they could have processed upwards of 480 tickets a month, which would have resulted in over $1 million in relief. 

Residents have also been vocal about the program, and many spoke about their experiences during the Jan. 18 and Feb. 1 commissioners court meetings. Some spoke about how the ERA program has helped them and its necessity for the community, while others expressed their frustrations with the program’s mismanagement and fears that funds will continue to be recaptured. 

In the meantime, the county ensures that progress is being made through a more “streamlined process,” and that staff from various county offices have stepped in as volunteers to help serve the program in order to keep providing relief until a new program manager is identified.

Program manager proposals were due on Feb. 10 and will be reviewed by the evaluation committee. Proposals have been submitted by Ardurra Group, Inc., Blanco River Regional Recovery Team, LiveStories and Metric Engineering, Inc. 

For more information on the program, visit www.hayscountytx.com/emergency-rental-assistance-program. 

BUDA — Some people have experienced hair loss after getting COVID-19.

This type of hair shedding is called telogen effluvium, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, which happens when more hairs than normal enter the shedding phase of the growth cycle at the same time. Most people notice this, either in the shower or while brushing hair, two to three months after having a fever or illness.

“After COVID, or any illness on the body, more of the hairs are in the shedding phase of the growth cycle,” said Dr. Erica Stevens, dermatologist at Baylor Scott & White Clinic in Buda. “When that happens, you notice more hair coming out.”

Stevens explained that the hair growth cycle has three separate phases: growth, resting and shedding. Stressors of any kind can cause this type of hair shedding.

“So, after the stressor – For example an illness like COVID or another viral infection, pregnancy, or even an emotional stressor, like a major change in job or some traumatic life event,” Stevens said, “that stressor on the body causes more hairs to go into that shedding phase of the growth cycle.”

Hair loss due to an illness can happen to both men and women. While hair loss has received more attention after the rise of COVID-19, Stevens confirmed that it’s not necessarily unique to COVID-19, rather it can happen after almost any illness.

“I’ve seen about half a dozen people come in specifically for hair loss after COVID, but it’s probably more common than that,” Stevens told the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch. “I think that people just don’t necessarily come to the doctor for it, especially if it’s not too bothersome for them. I suspect that it’s more common than I see in the clinic.”

Though it can be traumatic to watch more hair falling out or shedding than normal, telogen effluvium will resolve on its own. It could take several months to see the normal amount of hair return.

The best remedy that doctors recommend for hair loss after illnesses is waiting it out, according to Stevens, which could require a little extra patience.

Ever since COVID-19 reared its ugly, spiky head more than two years ago, there’s one pandemic induced trend that’s actually been welcome: an increasing number of people are turning to gardening to provide themselves with sustenance as well as renewal. They like the concept of having some control over their food source and also getting a chance to lower their stress levels in a natural environment. If this sounds like you and you’re new to Texas gardening, or gardening in general, read on.

Check your soil

Before starting a home garden, make a plan about where to locate the garden and how and what to grow in it. Since all gardening begins with the soil, getting it tested is a good idea. Most Central Texas soil is highly alkaline, which may be suitable for growing native plants but not vegetables, which usually thrive in a more moderate pH range. Also, for good production, a garden needs an appropriate amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, along with other minerals. Without improvements, soil here often contains varying levels of phosphorus and potassium and is usually low in organic matter such as compost and critical nutrients like nitrogen. So, to avoid adding possibly unnecessary amendments to your soil, get it analyzed. Two frequently used soil testing labs are the Texas Plant and Soil Lab in Edinburg and Texas A&M. After you send in samples, you’ll get a report listing which amendments are needed and in what quantity. Keep in mind that the saying, ‘if a little is good, more is better,’ seldom applies to gardening. Follow the amount recommendations and directions for best results.

Find the right spot

Choose a site in your yard that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of sun a day, as most spring and summer vegetables require that much. However, peppers and a few other vegetables and herbs need some shade in the afternoon, especially in the summer. For those who have deer that would delight in visiting backyard ‘salad bars,’ fencing or some other barrier may be necessary.

In-ground vs raised bed

Next, decide if you want an in-ground garden or a raised bed. Both have their advantages and will require some work to establish. With an in-ground garden, there’s no need for a truckload of soil to be brought in, which saves time. However, additions like compost, fertilizer and more, will need to be dug into the planting area with hand tools or a tiller, which breaks up the soil. A garden in the ground needs to be cultivated from 8 to 10 inches to provide room for the plant’s roots. A good size for a beginner garden is 4 feet by 6 feet or smaller.

A raised bed garden requires having garden soil and amendments deposited into a frame formed of untreated wood, concrete blocks or other supports made from nontoxic materials. Depending on the crop, a growing depth of 8 to 12 inches of soil is considered sufficient. Not only does the raised bed warm up earlier in the spring, this type of garden has the advantage of being easier to work in, especially for people with limited mobility, as it can be established at a height that is most convenient for the gardener. While the soil test can act as a guide, a rule of thumb is to fill the bed with half garden soil and half amendments made up of compost and perlite or vermiculite, mineral-based materials that provide aeration and affect moisture retention. Fertilizer should be added as directed. A common size for a raised bed is 3 feet by 6 feet, making it easy to plant, cultivate and harvest the garden crops.

Revitalize your soil

The soil in raised beds and in-ground gardens might need to be revitalized with amendments and fertilizer at the beginning of the next growing season, as the previous crops may have depleted it of nutrients.

Container Gardening

For those who don’t have access to a yard, there’s always container gardening. You can put the same soil mix that’s used in raised bed gardens into pots and then go on to grow herbs, vegetables and pollinator-friendly flowers. Depending on the container’s size, almost anything can be used to grow things, as long as it drains well and gets the appropriate amount of sun, water and nutrients. If you’re growing food, just make sure the container is safe for that purpose.

Resources

The internet has a vast array of gardening information available that can help new gardeners pick popular vegetable varieties to grow as well as the best time to plant them. Gardening guides cover which vegetables should be transplanted and which can be planted by seed. Some of the cool-weather crops, like broccoli, cabbage, carrots, chard, kale, lettuce, radishes and spinach, go in first. Later, as the soil warms up, snap beans, cucumbers, squash and everyone’s favorite, tomatoes, can be planted. Tasty cantaloupes and watermelon will follow. At this point, spending time in the garden could keep you so pleasantly busy with weeding, watering and watching that you might even ask, “Pandemic? Is that still going on?”

Christine Reid is an experienced gardener/farmer in the Maxwell area and is a regular vendor at the the San Marcos Farmer's Market.

COVID-19 isn’t just causing shortages in hospitals and grocery stores — local schools are feeling the effects, too, as teachers and substitute teachers are out sick in record numbers due to the virus. 

In a flyer posted to its Facebook page on Jan. 6, Hays CISD asked teacher-certified and eligible non-teacher certified parents to step in as ‘guest teachers’ to help fill the increasing need for substitute teachers in order for classrooms and campuses to remain open. 

Per the flyer, the position provides competitive compensation, access to health insurance, ongoing training opportunities and bonus programs. Those who apply have to pass a fingerprint criminal background check and complete an orientation. 

Additionally, if a principal knows and recommends an applicant, the district can waive the requirement of 30 or more college credit hours. 

The demand for substitute teachers has maxed out the district’s sub pool, prompting this request.

According to HCISD chief communication officer Tim Savoy, in a normal year, the district has about 500 people in its pool of substitute teachers. The district started the 2021-2022 school year with only 100 subs due to the Delta variant, but have since increased the pool of approved subs to about 300.

Due to the Omicron variant, however, the demand for subs has also greatly increased. Savoy said that in a normal year — ‘pre-pandemic’ — the district typically saw about 180 to 185 requests for subs each day in the week after Christmas break. This year, that number of requests increased to 250 to 289 per day. 

As of Jan. 14, Savoy said the number of sub requests had increased to 445. The district was only able to fill 43% of the positions with subs, with the rest being covered by campus and central office staff, as well as teachers being paid during their off-duty periods if they wanted to fill in. 

There are also 537 active student cases and 102 active staff cases in the district as of Jan. 14, according to HCISD’s COVID dashboard data. Despite the sharp increase in daily reported cases after the recent holiday break, Savoy said that guest teachers are helping the district keep schools open — something that many parents and students have been vocal about being important — and so far, 16 parents have applied. 

Savoy said it’s important to note that while it’s challenging to have the increased teacher absences, it’s a sign that people who have either tested positive, are showing symptoms or have come in close contact with a positive case are heeding the call to quarantine and doing their part in keeping the virus from spreading. 

For more information on how to apply to be a guest teacher, visit www.hayscisd.net/applynewsub. 

School districts and cities implemented protocols after health officials released new quarantine and isolation guidelines. 

On Dec. 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shortened the recommended isolation time for the public. People who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for five days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving without a fever for 24 hours, they should follow that with five days of wearing a mask when around others.

The CDC also updated the recommended quarantine period for anyone who is exposed to someone with COVID-19. Those who have received their booster, completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last six months or completed the primary series of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should wear a mask around others for 10 days and test on day five if possible. If symptoms start to develop, get a test and stay home.

People who have completed the first series of Pfizer or Moderna over six months ago, completed the first series of J&J over two months ago, have not been boosted or have not received any of the vaccines should stay home for five days and after that, continue to wear a mask around others for five more days. If quarantine is not possible, wear a mask for 10 days and test on day five if possible.

“The Omicron variant is spreading quickly and has the potential to impact all facets of our society,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, CDC director. “[The] CDC’s updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses. These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives. Prevention is our best option: get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high community transmission, and take a test before you gather.”

Hays CISD

Prior to the return of students, Hays CISD sent an email letter to the district community Jan. 3 explaining new protocols and precautions. The district is installing air purifiers in all classrooms and other areas on campuses to help neutralize viruses like COVID-19 and the flu but to also reduce other airborne contaminants. 

HCISD is following the CDC’s recommended isolation protocols. 

“The isolation period has been reduced from 10 days for people who test positive for COVID to five days,” said Tim Savoy, chief communications officer, in the district’s letter, “if they are asymptomatic, fever-free for 24 hours and wear a mask for an additional five days while around others. People who meet the criteria to end isolation after five days but who do not wish to wear a mask, or are unable to do so for the next five days, must remain home and away from school for the full 10-day isolation period.”

Students who are out of school with a positive COVID test result, or for close-contact isolation, no longer need to login daily for remote conferencing, according to HCISD. 

“This was something the state had required for attendance counting purposes,” Savoy said in the letter. “Since it is no longer necessary, and was burdensome on students and teachers; the district will no longer offer it. Instead, COVID-related absences will be managed as would any other absence for illness. Students can access assignments directly from their teachers to make up missing work. Secondary students can access their assignments in Schoology and elementary students will be able to get assignments in hard copy, or by other means at the teacher’s discretion.”

HCISD said the community should prepare for a “bit of an uncertain January” and to continue keeping one word in mind as the Omicron variant continues to unfold: grace.

Dripping Springs ISD

Students, staff and visitors at Dripping Springs ISD (DSISD) who have symptoms of COVID-19 are required to stay home. People who are confirmed to have COVID-19 or are showing symptoms need to be isolated regardless of their vaccination status. 

Parents should report to the school nurse if their student tests positive, according to DSISD’s health protocols. The student is required to isolate and may return to school by checking in through the nurse’s office when the following criteria are met: At least 24 hours have passed with no fever, symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared (or since testing positive if asymptomatic). 

Staff members will not be permitted to be at work and will be required to use personal or local leave for absences if they test positive, according to the district’s protocols. 

Staff can return to work when: 

• If symptomatic, at least five days have passed since symptom onset, and fever free, and other symptoms have improved

• For those with no symptoms, at least five days have passed since the day they tested positive

• DSISD strongly recommends staff wear a mask for an additional five days after their return to work per CDC guidance.

Local cities respond 

The cities of Kyle, Buda and Dripping Springs, along with Hays County, all recommend residents follow the CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 protocols and precautions. 

For more information, please visit the following websites. 

Kyle:  https://www.cityofkyle.com/communications/city-kyle-coronavirus-covid-19-update

Buda: https://www.ci.buda.tx.us/677/Curative-COVID-19-Testing 

Dripping Springs:  https://www.cityofdrippingsprings.com/emergency-management/pages/covid-19-information 

Hays County: https://hayscountytx.com/covid-19-information-for-hays-county-residents/ 

With the recent emergence of the Omicron variant, doctors and health officials are urging people to get fully vaccinated and boosted. 

“Vaccination is extremely critical for people,” said Dr. Michael Kerr at Ascension Seton Hays, “especially at high risk to give them both protection from catching [COVID] but more importantly, some protection against becoming extremely ill.” 

The Omicron variant has been sweeping through communities at a rapid rate, causing an increased need for more people to get their booster. People who are fully vaccinated with a booster have built-in protection to keep from getting critically ill, Kerr explained. 

“Their immune system essentially has a head start at fighting off any infection,” Kerr said. 

Finding a booster shot

Hospitals across the state and nation are struggling to keep up with the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many are seeing more patients because of it. 

“What Ascension has been doing,” Kerr said, “which I have been really happy and proud of is they have been trying to respond to the community’s need. They have been setting up appointment testing centers so people don’t have to come to the emergency department just looking for a test.” 

Kerr said when people visit his emergency department looking for a COVID-19 test, the staff gives them a phone number and a testing clinic. 

“Now obviously, if you are sick, please come in [and] let us take a look at you,” Kerr said. “We sometimes get things started in the waiting area with a clinician team trying to figure out what’s going on and get things moving for you. I don’t like people waiting when you are sick.” 

While Seton Hays did see a low volume of patients in the wake of the pandemic because people didn’t want to go to the hospital, Kerr said it’s starting to pick back up. 

“We are responding to the numbers, just seeing everybody that’s coming in,” Kerr told the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch, “and trying to do the best we can. We are seeing a slight increase in volume but we expected it.”

Those seeking COVID-19 testing who are either asymptomatic or with mild symptoms are encouraged to call 2-1-1, or (877) 541-7905 or visit 211texas.org to find a testing site. Ascension asks residents to reserve emergency departments for those who are seriously ill or injured.

Who can get a booster shot 

People should observe the following guidelines when getting a booster shot, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

HAYS COUNTY — Employees at Ascension hospitals are now required to be vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu. 

The hospital network, which includes Seton Hays in Kyle, announced in July that employees would need to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 12 to remain employed. This mandate is aligned with Ascension’s annual flu vaccination requirement. 

“We want patients to be assured and comforted,” Seton Hays said in a statement,  “with the knowledge that Ascension Texas doctors and nurses, other clinicians and associates, working in one of our hospitals or other sites of care, will either be vaccinated against both COVID-19 and influenza, or in the limited instances of exemptions, be complying with additional infection prevention protocols.” 

A patient care technician, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he is worried that mandating the vaccine will cause insufficient staff numbers.

“I feel like it’s unfair,” the technician said. “They know some people don’t have it. They know we don’t have staff and they are okay with cutting people.”

He has watched some employees walk away from their jobs but the technician said he will stay at the hospital for now.

Not everybody is against the mandate. 

Stephanie Segovia, a nurse at a Texas clinic, said health care personnel should be vaccinated. 

“I think this is great,” Segovia said. “If you work in a hospital, you should be willing to make sure you do not get others sick. So, being vaccinated against COVID and the flu is one step to help our community fight these two illnesses.”

Jayne Baker, a retired Hays CISD teacher, also agrees with the mandate. She said that masks and vaccinations are public health decisions that are made to keep all members of the community safe.

“The thought that health care personnel would choose to endanger their patients and their medical facilities is baffling to me,” Baker said. “The terrible experiences that have been reported by health care workers [including] the long hours, the fear of contaminating their families and the devastation of the illness itself make it even more strange that any of them would object to masks and vaccines.”

• Walgreens, located at 1660 Main St. in Buda


• Austin Regional Clinic, located at 4100 Everett St. in Kyle


• HEB, located at 5401 FM 1626 in Kyle


• Walgreens, located at 27495 RR 12 in Dripping Springs


• Dripping Springs Pharmacy, located at 100 Commons Rd #1 in Dripping Springs

Nearly 65% of eligible Hays County residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and some have begun receiving their booster shots.

As of Aug. 13, immunocompromised Texans became eligible to receive a booster shot using the the Pfizer vaccine. Since then, more than 9,300 Hays County residents have gotten their booster. The county as a whole has a 64% vaccination rate.

Hays County recently began seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. More ICU beds have become available. Last month, some days passed where Trauma Service Area-O (TSA-O) had a few ICU beds available, and at one point, no ICU beds had remained. TSA-O includes Hays, Travis and nine other Counties.

COVID-related fatalities have reached 386 in Hays County, as of Oct. 18. Deaths related to COVID-19 have also been decreasing.

There are 18 Hays residents in the hospital due to COVID-19, two of which are vaccinated and in the ICU. There are 16 unvaccinated residents in the hospital, 11 of those are in the ICU.

While COVID-19 boosters may be on many minds, doctors say it’s important to not forget about flu shots.

“We have been dealing with the flu vaccine for a lot of years,” said Dr. David Martin, Chief Medical Officer at Ascension Seton Hays. “We know what the adverse effects are.”

The timing of COVID-19 and flu vaccines is a burning question that many patients have before their next doctor visit. Both vaccines can be given at the same time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including COVID-19 boosters.

Martin agreed that there is no risk getting the COVID-19 and flu vaccines during the same visit.

“There’s no problem getting them at the same,” Martin said. “There is really no risk to getting them at the same time. There is also no problem getting them a week or two apart. I think some folks would be uncomfortable getting both because they would be worried about feeling sick afterwards.”

Flu vaccines have a six-month effectiveness period, Martin explained, and the influenza season tends to start in the beginning of fall and end in late spring. People should get their flu shot in October or in November at the latest.

Children’s vaccinations 

Children are among the vulnerable population that would have more complications in the case they get sick with the seasonal flu. Parents are urged to have their children vaccinated to help protect them against the flu.

“Younger children are more at risk,” Martin said. “Everyday they are going to school. They are in classes full of other kids with runny noses and coughing. They are in closer quarters sometimes than some of us.”

In previous years, local school districts have offered students the option for a flu vaccine. Hays CISD is waiting to hear if a regional provider will participate.

“For students, school districts in the region who plan to offer in-house shot clinics generally go with a regional provider,” said Tim Savoy, HCISD chief communications officer. “We don’t have word yet on whether a regional provider has agreed to participate. It varies from year to year. In absence of us doing in-house student clinics, we would promote flu shots to students and parents and direct them to local area providers (pharmacies) and places like the health department, where they could be offered at reduced cost or no cost depending on an individual’s ability to pay.”

Dripping Springs ISD does not have a plan for student flu vaccines this year.

Flu vs. COVID-19

While symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 are comparable, people may need to be tested to see what virus is causing them to be sick. It is also possible to be infected with both a flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 at the same time, according to the CDC.

The CDC also says those who have COVID-19 tend to take longer to show symptoms and be contagious for longer, compared to those who have flu infections.

Some people are predicting fewer people are going to get the flu vaccine this year, Martin explained.

“I wouldn’t be surprised by it,” Martin told the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch, “because there has just been so much controversy over the COVID vaccine. They truly are two different illnesses and the vaccines are two different vaccines.”