We look at the impact of the shutdown and the numbers involved. We also speak with the first judge to hold a zoom trial in the United States.

BELLAIRE, Texas The first day of a COVID-19 vaccine trial by Moderna began Friday for participants in the Houston area. This week, President Donald Trump announced a $1 billion deal with Moderna for the companys vaccine. Houston researchers are trying to make it happenAt the Texas Center for Drug Development in Bellaire, the trial participants arrived to receive the first injections. I feel comfortable with the degree of safety that was demonstrated in the first phase trial and Ive also followed the lead of Anthony Fauci who said that its reasonably safe for the third phase trial, said trial participant Patrick Yarbrough. Dr. Anthony Fauci said thats a good thing to have more options and could hopefully result in faster manufacturing.

HOUSTON As Harris County puts the final pieces in place to resume jury assembly and selection, the backlog of felony and misdemeanor cases continues to grow. When you cant have trials, everything else behind that backs up, said Harris County prosecutor JoAnne Musick. The Supreme Court of Texas halted all jury trials and jury selection because of the pandemic, and the court recently extended that order until September 1. The halt in trials is a large part of the reason the Harris County Jails population remains above 8,000 inmates. The Harris County Sheriffs Office even had to create a so-called Zoom Team to help keep cases moving through the courts.