Here are things to know for Wednesday, Jan. 6:
1. Houston-area officially crosses hospitalization threshold that triggers reopening rollbacks
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The Houston area officially crossed Tuesday the hospitalization threshold that triggers a rollback in reopenings for the area, and the state has sent letters to county judges informing them of the requirement.
Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows that coronavirus-related hospitalizations in Trauma Service Area Q, which includes Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, have been above 15% for seven consecutive days. That triggers a provision of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s reopening order that requires, among other things, bars to close and restaurants to reduce capacity to 50%.
2. Trust Index: Look at results of CDC report on reactions to coronavirus vaccine
As more and more Americans line up to get the COVID-19 vaccine, we are getting a better idea of how many are reporting side effects.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking reports of reactions to the vaccine through a smartphone app called V-Safe.
Let’s take a look at the results and how they stack up when put to KPRC 2′s Trust Index.
3. Bar owners face uncertain future with rollback in reopenings
Since last spring, Texas bar owners have been on a financial roller coaster. Many forced to open and close several times as the pandemic flared.
In Montgomery County, Sandra Young says the doors of her place, Bokeeter’s Cocktail Bar in New Caney, will remain open in spite of any closure order. She frames it as a matter of principle.
“I would encourage every single small business owner to open and defy completely unconstitutional government mandates,” Young said.
She’s had a long-running dispute with state regulators ever since she was first ordered to close last spring.
4. Researchers looking for Houston area participants to take part in vaccine trial on children
Researchers are now looking for younger people in the Houston area, including teenagers, to take part in a COVID-19 vaccine trial.
“We’re really just looking for generally healthy kids that are able to receive vaccinations and that are able to come in for study visits,” said Sarah Hasan, recruitment lead at DM Clinical Research and the Texas Center for Drug Development.
The study of the Moderna vaccine needs participants between the ages of 12 and 17, she said.
“We’re just trying to get these kids back in school so they’re able to get back in sports, academics, extracurricular activities,” Hasan said. “In order to even get to that semi-normal state, the real solution is just to get this vaccine.”
5. Hospital worker stresses importance of vaccine after 92-year-old grandfather dies from coronavirus
A hospital worker is urging people to get the COVID-19 vaccine after her grandfather died just before the vaccine was made available.
The pandemic has devastated so many lives in the last several months.
Brigid Roberson, head of security for Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, said she has seen what COVID-19 has done to families, including her own.
“This whole COVID time has been very, very difficult,” Roberson said.
And she has now experienced it first hand after her grandfather, 92-year-old James Avery, passed away from it in December of 2020.