Only in Austin…
During the coronavirus quarantine period, the HOPE Campaign (Helping Other People Everywhere) commissioned street artists to paint inspirational murals over plywood window coverings and glass doors along East Sixth Street in Austin’s entertainment district.
Texas’ Stay-at-Home Order Expires Thursday; Many Texas Businesses May Open Friday
On Monday, Governor Greg Abbott laid out his Report to Open Texas, saying Texas’ statewide stay-at-home order will expire as scheduled on Thursday April 30th. The first phase of the Governor’s plan begins Friday May 1st, when Texas malls, stores, restaurants and movie theaters may open with 25% occupancy. Outdoor sports with no more than four participants, such as golf and tennis, may resume as long as social distancing guidelines are followed, and museums and libraries are able to open.
Barber shops, hair salons and gyms must wait to reopen until mid-May at the earliest as part of the second phase of business reopenings, provided there are “two weeks of data to confirm no flare-up of COVID-19.” If those standards are met, businesses could expand their occupancy to 50%.
Students from Abilene and Wylie ISDs Build Robots for Local Hospital
Hospital officials with Hendrick Health System in Abilene reached out to local public schools recently, asking for assistance in devising a way to save on personal protective equipment (PPE), which has been so scarce during the coronavirus pandemic. Engineering and robotics teams at Abilene ISD and Wylie ISD worked together to build a robot that could remotely drive into patient rooms for tasks such as delivering medications, thereby saving hospital staff from needing to use PPE. Raise Your Hand Texas posted this story about Texas educators rising to the challenge after being alerted by Rep. Stan Lambert (R-Abilene).
How to Hunker Down Like a Texan
For some of us, a small silver lining of the coronavirus quarantine has been the opportunity to slow down and try to catch up on the many books, television shows, movies and other leisure activities on our wish lists. Texas Monthly has compiled a few Texas-centric works that are definitely worth adding to your list, including several virtual museum exhibits and music releases that could inspire a future road trip. Enjoy!