Former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett says this pandemic is far worse than anything he had to handle while in the top job of county government. He is a guest on this week’s Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall and says there are at least a couple of reasons why the response to this pandemic has not been as effective as it could or should be. Lack of transparency in the decision making process Officials more accustomed to public safety issues rather than public health emergencies. Emmett also talks about the state of the Harris County GOP and the potential weakening of both major parties because of catering to the fringe political elements. See full interview on this week’s Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall and on Houston Newsmakers EXTRA.

With COVID-19 resulting in school closure, parents are left to their own devices when it comes to offering their children educational aid. Elizabeth Beavers, associate professor of special education, and Shanna Graves, associate professor of early childhood education at UH-Clear Lake, have offered ways for parents to help their kids with school work. Here are their tips:Make a scheduleHaving structure in the household is incredibly important when a child’s daily routine is shifted. “Once they’re out of bed and dressed, they have more willingness to participate in school work,” Graves explained. Beavers said that while parents balance their work schedules, they need to navigate how to optimize their child’s at-home schooling lessons.