Ragoo said:

---

Complete Idiot said:

---

Aust Ag said:

---

Agreed, your first sentence is really the point of my rants. I've think we're done an outstanding job here in Austin. But the cuffs keep getting tighter. And I don't get it.

---

I get this - the numbers in Austin are not bad as far as case spread, death. Holding pretty steady, so why tighten the reins. Makes sense. What do you think Austin should do next? What do you feel the best path forward is as far as city or county guidance?

I'm guessing, and maybe it's wishful thinking, is that they are trying this to see what compliance is like. If people comply, maybe it helps open up some types of non essential businesses. Maybe not businesses where 10 or more would congregate, but if everyone wears masks willingly maybe they gain confidence we can resume some normal activities - with masks and other guidance in place. I admit I may be optimistic about the next steps I envision after this, maybe they are just idiots and exercising their power to control us and its entirely unnecessary. If this doesn't lead to anything else, then I would agree it does not make sense.

---

assume you have it under control with current residents. But you also want to open up business and bring in visitors from other communities. Wouldn't you want those individuals to prevent bringing covid back into your community? So passing a mask ordinance ahead of reopening for business just seems smart.

Idk. Maybe this just doesn't bother me too much.

---

The masks don't bother me.

If you read between the lines on interviews that Adler & Eckhardt have done, they are clearly in the no deaths at all camp. The Governor wants to reopen. The May 8 date forces the Governor's hand in either reopening everybody with an executive order thus putting any further deaths on his/Republicans shoulders or letting the counties do what they want on the timeline they want. This order was all political.

goodAg80 said:

---

I am fine with the masks. We need to start opening up businesses.

We actually need to keep the infection rate constant as long as the medical community can handle it. Otherwise we will take forever to get herd immunity. (This in moderation).

More masks and more business.

---

OK, say I agree . And more on your side actually.

2 weeks ago, dire predictions. No masks rules from city of Austin at that point, even though masks/bandanas were as plentiful as today.

Today, not as bad as predicted, but tighter restrictions. Parks open back up today WTH??

I certainly don't agree with every city, county, state, or local decision on how we've handled this unprecedented (in my lifetime) event.

But let me ask you again: What do you think the next steps should be as far as guidance from city, county, and state officials?

I have no problem criticizing things I've been seeing. However, when trying to decide what I would do if in their position - it's harder.

Quote:

---

Today, not as bad as predicted, but tighter restrictions. Parks open back up today WTH??

---

Most locations have closed parks at one point or another, for various lengths of time. A lot of places closed them over the Easter holiday weekend due to crowding fears.

They're open because people need space to get out of their homes, and places to exercise.


As to why things seem to be not as bad as they could have been, yet some things are being extended. Those earlier restrictions were likely never expected to be the end of it. They were made with the idea the situation would be evaluated later and an extension of some length would be made.

An extension to May 8th isn't earth shattering. If things were worse, perhaps there would have been a longer extension.

A lot of things, in a lot of places, are going to be extended some amount of time, despite encouraging case numbers.

As to masks, Austin is far from the only place that's changed course on masks.I think there were some reasons earlier on why masks weren't encouraged, but maybe current mask recommendations and rules should have been made earlier.

The numbers just don't support what many local governments are doing.
A lot of politics and power grabs going on at our expense. The two parties are now battling it out for control. All the governors from blue states are trying to flex their muscles on reopening; it's up to them! (But the feds should have been responsible for taking care of their problems). Now you will see a battle between blue mayors and red governors on whose in control. I'm sure much of what Austin is doing is more about setting the battle lines with the state government than what is best for its citizens.
Instead of "we are all in this together", I'm really starting to see two very different views of the near future that are aligning with party lines. Very disappointing.

Ragoo said:

---

Ellis Wyatt said:

---

TheAngelFlight said:

---

For people who don't like this, are they also vehemently opposed to requiring drivers' licenses to drive?

---

What does that have to do with anything?

What if a monkey doesn't like popcorn?

---

a license is a prerequisite to driving on public roads. It is a credential.

A mask is a credential to being in public space during this time?

---

forget the first, fourth, and fifth amendments. they don't matter anymore. smarter ways to handle this if its your objective (penalize business not subject), same effect. Oh wait why not just impose martial?

beerad12man said:

---

Aggie1946 said:

---

Unless you don't have one there isn't a downside to wearing a mask at this point. The more everyone plays along the faster this **** will be over with.

---

Are we sure that's true? Just to play devils advocate, is it possible for us to slow things down too much to where this actually drags out longer?

I mean if you believe reveille, we are slowing down the curve, but not stopping it, and herd immunity matters. The more measures we take, the slower it spreads and we may very well drag this out all the way to 18+ months when/if there is a vaccine, rather than having a little higher of a number get it and develop herd immunity at the safest rate we can. Personally, I think we need to be within the middle of the curve(not overwhelming hospitals but having people get it at a moderate rate) to minimize the length of this current stay. Not dragging this out to the bottom potentially making it longer.

---

I don't think anyone really knows at this point. You may have a point. I do think we could get 90% of business etc going if everyone wore a mask in public, which would allow the economy to get going again. Wearing a mask is a lot better than shelter in place and we could get an idea about how badly it's spreading with a little more protection.

So many people are saying things won't ever get back to normal, at least not until there is a vaccine. Plus the fact their are questions about how long immunity lasts or if it actually happens. I think masks and contact tracing would be a step in the right direction.

Ellis Wyatt said:

---

TheAngelFlight said:

---

For people who don't like this, are they also vehemently opposed to requiring drivers' licenses to drive?

---

What does that have to do with anything?

What if a monkey doesn't like popcorn?

---

Dang you made me laugh out loud, thank you!

I thought that Governor Abbott's order from March 31st suspends government code section 418, so the Austin Mayor no longer has the authority to issue such declarations:

Quote:

---

This executive order shall supersede any conflicting order issued by local officials in response to the COVID-19 disaster, but only to the extent that such a local order restricts essential services allowed by this executive order or allows gatherings prohibited by this executive order. I hereby suspend Sections 418.1015(b) and 418.108 of the Texas Government Code, Chapter 81, Subchapter E of the Texas Health and Safety Code, and any other relevant statutes, to the extent necessary to ensure that local officials do not impose restrictions inconsistent with this executive order, provided that local officials may enforce this executive order as well as local restrictions that are consistent with this executive order.

---

I know that due to this order from the Governor, the San Marcos mayor reworded her "order" to become a "recommendation".

If I were to get ticketed in Austin for this, I would refer to this order from the governor and not pay.

Dad-O-Lot said:

---

I thought that Governor Abbott's order from March 31st suspends government code section 418, so the Austin Mayor no longer has the authority to issue such declarations:

Quote:

---

This executive order shall supersede any conflicting order issued by local officials in response to the COVID-19 disaster, but only to the extent that such a local order restricts essential services allowed by this executive order or allows gatherings prohibited by this executive order. I hereby suspend Sections 418.1015(b) and 418.108 of the Texas Government Code, Chapter 81, Subchapter E of the Texas Health and Safety Code, and any other relevant statutes, to the extent necessary to ensure that local officials do not impose restrictions inconsistent with this executive order, provided that local officials may enforce this executive order as well as local restrictions that are consistent with this executive order.

---

I know that due to this order from the Governor, the San Marcos mayor reworded her "order" to become a "recommendation".

If I were to get ticketed in Austin for this, I would refer to this order from the governor and not pay.

---

John J 01 said:

---

The Fall Guy said:

---

Add another 58 cases today and 2 dead.

856 total. Last 2 days it has jumped big.

They don't give age range anymore. I believe it is in the homeless population now.

---

It was 774 yesterday so that's a jump of 82 today, which is the largest increase so far.

---

I don't think the jump was really that big. It was 744 the day before, so I think there is just a lag of results due to Easter. I think the new cases are staying pretty steady in the 50ish per day range.

aggielax48 said:

---

John J 01 said:

---

The Fall Guy said:

---

Add another 58 cases today and 2 dead.

856 total. Last 2 days it has jumped big.

They don't give age range anymore. I believe it is in the homeless population now.

---

It was 774 yesterday so that's a jump of 82 today, which is the largest increase so far.

---

I don't think the jump was really that big. It was 744 the day before, so I think there is just a lag of results due to Easter. I think the new cases are staying pretty steady in the 50ish per day range.

---

Good point. You may be right, and I hope so. There was a big jump in the 78748 zip code in South Austin to 71 cases, which has flown past the West Campus area (has stayed in the mid 50s the last week or so). I wonder what's going on (or not) down there.

Player To Be Named Later said:

---

ETFan said:

---

We really are going to have issues reopening the economy if such benign mandates cause so much anger.

---

I am starting to think the "Open it all back up" crowd is really just the "I don't want to be told what to do about ANYTHING" crowd.

Many of them just don't seem to want to give on anything.

---

I think you're trying to make people into something they aren't. Or at least, pointing out a very select few. Very few people think things should just go back to 100% normal. Such a small percentage that it isn't worth arguing with them.

Most of the "open it all back up crowd" also say everything should come with restrictions. No one thinks we should go back to the way we were in 2019. Every business should have to comply with certain mandates and if they don't, face a shut down. Yes, this would likely end up with a little higher spread rate, but as long as we kept it under the curve to not overwhelm hospitals, that was the main goal at the beginning. This has turned into a save every single life at all cost thing, and that is not a long term solution.

I just never believed in mandatory shut downs. You talk about arbitrary. Telling which people's businesses are essential to life and which aren't. Especially when Academy remains open, or the garden center at Home depot, but mom and pop down the road are shut down and can't put food on the table much longer.

aginlakeway said:

---

So in Austin, I am being told to wear a cloth mask and NOT a N-95 respirator mask because those are for use by others.

I have a few N-95 respirator masks (from wife) If I wear one, will I get yelled at?

---

I have an N-95 mask given to me by my employer. It's mandatory we wear them.

I tried to tell my work to donate them and have each employee make a cloth one, since we don't use them right anyways. That would help potentially prevent the spread among our workers, but also give more for the hospitals who actually use them correctly. I see too many of our employees put them down at their chin to sip coffee, eat a snack, etc.

AggieAuditor said:

---

Aggie1946 said:

---

Unless you don't have one there isn't a downside to wearing a mask at this point. The more everyone plays along the faster this **** will be over with.

---

For the love of all that is holy, the better we do at slowing the spread, the LONGER this will last, by definition.

I live in Wilco, so tomorrow I fully expect to be told to wear a mask while doing anything, and I'll comply. But this worn out tale that if we just all stay home or wear masks or whatever social distance method is most popular at the time, this thing will be over quicker, is a giant crock of ****.

---

I see this so many times on facebook and it makes me cringe. Karen thinks that she is doing her part by not leaving her house for a month, even to get groceries, exercise, anything, and that if we all just did that this would go away quicker.

I sincerely hope the masks are to get people used to them for a month to get stuff opened back up in mid May with the mandate of having to wear them in public, but that's wishful thinking.

The trouble with masks is that people are constantly touching them and rearranging them. That's a lot of germ transfer. If they aren't changing to a different mask with each outing they aren't doing anyone, including themselves, any favors.

John J 01 said:

---

aggielax48 said:

---

John J 01 said:

---

The Fall Guy said:

---

Add another 58 cases today and 2 dead.

856 total. Last 2 days it has jumped big.

They don't give age range anymore. I believe it is in the homeless population now.

---

It was 774 yesterday so that's a jump of 82 today, which is the largest increase so far.

---

I don't think the jump was really that big. It was 744 the day before, so I think there is just a lag of results due to Easter. I think the new cases are staying pretty steady in the 50ish per day range.

---

Good point. You may be right, and I hope so. There was a big jump in the 78748 zip code in South Austin to 71 cases, which has flown past the West Campus area (has stayed in the mid 50s the last week or so). I wonder what's going on (or not) down there.

---

There are 2 low income subsidized housing projects in Slaughter lane from Brodie Ln to Manchaca rd.

Highly packed residents. My ex wife still lives in the area and she had heard about several residents in the one closest to Brodie Ln had it and is spreading.

She says she sees city if Austin health officials there everyday.

Austin is not telling people the age, sex because they have done such a poor job with low income and homeless. My APD friend over a week ago said that it has spread to the homeless downtown.

I am in Kyle and the mayor has told people that the 27 cases in Kyle are mainly in large families. Still spread to some others but not as much as large family units.

Aust Ag said:

---

AggieOO said:

---

Aust Ag said:

---

beerad12man said:

---

So it's a little confusing. If I'm pumping gas but no one is within 6 feet of me, do I need to wear one?

---

Wouldn't gloves be more important than a mask pumping gas?

---

Don't wear gloves. Wash your hands. People wearing gloves are way more likely to spread **** all over the place.

---

How? What if you get in your car and don't have sanitizer?

---

because gloves are made to be disposable. People are wearing them for extended periods of time and touching all kinds of things, basically spreading germs everywhere. Unless you are changing your gloves after every single activity, all you are doing is spreading crap around. Wash your hands instead.

I see people driving their cars wearing gloves. Then they get out and grab a cart at the grocery store. Touch everything in the store/basket, their credit cards, then get back in their car and drive home. They just potentially spread germs all over the place. Meanwhile, someone without gloves likely would have washed or sanitized their hands multiple times through the same process.

Hell, I saw one of my idiot customers on Zoom wearing gloves while eating his food. Directly touching food and putting it in his mouth while wearing blue surgical gloves. He probably put those on at home, got in his car, drove to work, sat at his desk, typed on his unsanitized keyboard, etc before eating.

I'm hearing so many stories like this, and how people dont use masks right.

I hope the Health Dept has done studies on how possibly folks that are "uneducated" (like alot of people), on if people correctly use all this, and that it's not counter-productive. I'm sure they haven't. Just put on whatever mask you have cobbled together, and go on with you business.

SeaHoss said:

---

The trouble with masks is that people are constantly touching them and rearranging them. That's a lot of germ transfer. If they aren't changing to a different mask with each outing they aren't doing anyone, including themselves, any favors.

---

Masks are to protect others.

No doubt.

Masks, even if used improperly, can help prevent the spread to others more. It still protects your breathing, coughing, sneezing from spreading as much to others.

Gloves if used improperly are worse. Therefore, no gloves. Just wash hands frequently.

beerad12man said:

---

Masks, even if used improperly, can help prevent the spread to others more. It still protects your breathing, coughing, sneezing from spreading as much to others.

Gloves if used improperly are worse. Therefore, no gloves. Just wash hands frequently.

---

There needs to be a major education campaign.

TheAngelFlight said:

---

As to why things seem to be not as bad as they could have been, yet some things are being extended. Those earlier restrictions were likely never expected to be the end of it. They were made with the idea the situation would be evaluated later and an extension of some length would be made.

An extension to May 8th isn't earth shattering. If things were worse, perhaps there would have been a longer extension.

---

Making the decision to expend from May 1 to May 8 now can only be described as purely Political. No other reason to do it on a day when the governor says he is going to announce guidelines for reopening.

You do realize that through the mouth is not the only way to be infected by airborne pathogens right? Were you wearing a face shield as well? Is this the next step for LA and Austin. Everyone must wear face shields?

CardiffGiant said:

---

You do realize that through the mouth is not the only way to be infected by airborne pathogens right? Were you wearing a face shield as well? Is this the next step for LA and Austin. Everyone must wear face shields?

---

The whole point of a facemask is to reduce transmission by asymptomatic carriers.

So unless asymptomatic carriers are shooting virus out of their eyes, then no.

Look, I do have a lot of empathy for needing to find a way to start getting people to work. But all these people basically saying "**** you, I'll spread the virus for up to 14 days if I damn well please... Because MURRICA" are really not helping make their side look reasonable.

CardiffGiant said:

---

You do realize that through the mouth is not the only way to be infected by airborne pathogens right? Were you wearing a face shield as well? Is this the next step for LA and Austin. Everyone must wear face shields?

---

While I didn't have a full face shield on I was wearing eye protection, but my main source of protection was the fact that I was upwind of everyone else and nobody was at the opposite side pump. Side note: I Hvae made a face shield that I've been wearing at times, those looks I get are GREAT.

Player To Be Named Later said:

---

CardiffGiant said:

---

You do realize that through the mouth is not the only way to be infected by airborne pathogens right? Were you wearing a face shield as well? Is this the next step for LA and Austin. Everyone must wear face shields?

---

The whole point of a facemask is to reduce transmission by asymptomatic carriers.

So unless asymptomatic carriers are shooting virus out of their eyes, then no.

Look, I do have a lot of empathy for needing to find a way to start getting people to work. But all these people basically saying "**** you, I'll spread the virus for up to 14 days if I damn well please... Because MURRICA" are really not helping make their side look reasonable.

---

Similarly, making intentionally misinformed and hyperbolic statements about people is not making you look reasonable.

I'd call that hyperbolic but not misinformed.

If you aren't one of the ones refusing to consider anything reasonable, then I'm not talking about you.

CardiffGiant said:

---

You do realize that through the mouth is not the only way to be infected by airborne pathogens right? Were you wearing a face shield as well? Is this the next step for LA and Austin. Everyone must wear face shields?

---

Your mask isn't to stop you from getting it from others as much as it is to help keep your droplets from getting out into the open.

This is obviously different if you're a doctor who is 12 inches from an infected patient for the entirety of your day, but for the general population, they are filtering our output, not our intake.

Health Commissioner just came on and said they're looking to make a "cultural shift".

This is here to stay, for a while.

I live in Austin.

I have no problem wearing a mask if it means I can go back to the office and my kid can go back to high school.

I need you to resist your natural inclination to do anything twisted in here

Aust Ag said:

---

I'm hearing so many stories like this, and how people dont use masks right.

I hope the Health Dept has done studies on how possibly folks that are "uneducated" (like alot of people), on if people correctly use all this, and that it's not counter-productive. I'm sure they haven't. Just put on whatever mask you have cobbled together, and go on with you business.

---

My wife is a risk communication expert and mentioned this. It's amazing that growing up, all through school we had education and drills for all kinds of disasters but we never had anything to prepare us for a pandemic.

There's very little hand-wringing and tin-foil hats when the government steps in during hurricanes/floods etc. and it's largely because we have it drilled into us. (To be fair, it's also because those things happen regularly, and because the effects are obvious).