with additional comments from Dr. Mark Escott and
January 16, 2021 at 9:50 a.m.
with comment from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
AUSTIN State lawmakers are receiving the coronavirus vaccine regardless of whether they are currently eligible under state guidelines through a back channel facilitated by Austin’s top health authority and a local hospital system,
The Dallas Morning News has learned.
Dr. Mark Escott, interim medical director for Austin Public Health, confirmed to
The News on Thursday that he organized the vaccination effort with Ascension Seton. In the past few weeks, Escott knows at least five to 10 legislators of both parties who were vaccinated through this process.
Texas lawmakers aren’t all eligible for the coronavirus vaccine. Austin’s top health official is trying to get them vaccinated anyway.
Texas Tribune
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Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune
Need to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? Our evening roundup will help you stay on top of the day s latest updates.
An Austin public health official working to get Texas lawmakers access to the COVID-19 vaccine regardless of whether they are currently eligible made a request to a local hospital to administer the shots to members gathering in the capital city for the 2021 Legislative session, the official said late Friday.
Texas lawmakers aren’t all eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Austin’s top health official is trying to get them vaccinated anyway.
Karen Brooks Harper
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Legislators greet one another on the floor of the House before the opening of the 2021 legislative session. (Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto/Pool)
An Austin public health official working to get Texas lawmakers access to the COVID-19 vaccine regardless of whether they are currently eligible made a request to a local hospital to administer the shots to members gathering in the capital city for the 2021 legislative session, the official said late Friday.
In an attempt to defuse what he considers to be a public health risk to the city, Dr. Mark Escott, the interim medical director for Austin Public Health, told The Texas Tribune that he asked Ascension Seton hospital system “if they would be willing to vaccinate lawmakers and key staff if they had availability.”
Texas closes state Capitol through Biden s inauguration
AUSTIN The Texas Capitol grounds will be closed through President-elect Joe Biden s inauguration amid warnings of armed protests at statehouses across the country, authorities said Friday.
The announcement adds Texas to the growing list of states taking new safeguards following last week s deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol. The Texas Department of Safety said the closure was done out of an abundance of caution and that additional personnel had been deployed, although it did not specify how many.
More than 100 troopers in riot gear were stationed outside the Texas Capitol earlier this week as lawmakers began a new legislative session. An internal FBI bulletin has warned of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington, D.C., in the days leading up Biden inauguration on Wednesday.
Rep. Joe Deshotel tests positive for COVID-19
COVID-19 has now hit home in the Texas legislature. Representative Joe Deshotel tested positive for the virus this week after leaving the state capitol. Author: Almiya White (KBMT) Updated: 12:37 AM CST January 16, 2021
BEAUMONT, Texas Representative Joe Deshotel tested positive for coronavirus this week after leaving the state capitol.
Getting one shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine does not necessarily mean you are off-limits from the coronavirus. Health officials are not the only ones who can attest to this. Rep. Deshotel had already received the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine when he tested positive.