Fort Worth Weekly
By JOSHUA YUDKIN
Photo courtesy of iStock
While not the first time in history, COVID-19 broke the barrier between the realms of science and politics. The pandemic, along with the accompanying accumulation of knowledge, development of guidelines, and public health measures taken, occurred in a fairly transparent and public manner. In fact, one could say it inadvertently provided unprecedented knowledge of, and access to, the medical and public health spheres.
Traditionally, the American public has left science the modern and secular religion to be debated and decided among scientists. However, health science and politics are now interconnected and misunderstood by many in our community. Alleged experts, policymakers, and leaders across the board have come out with politicized and hyperbolic statements that have misled average citizens. In turn, average citizens have played a dangerous game of telephone with hearsay.
On June 27, the state reported 1,428 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals, that s the lowest number reached since April 2020. On July 5, just eight days later, the state reported an increase of more than 300 patients in Texas hospitals.
Stephen Love, president and CEO of the DFW Hospital Council, said Tuesday there are now 468 patients in North Texas hospitals with COVID-19. The state s report is generally a day behind the numbers reported by local authorities.
Love said COVID-19 patients in North Texas ICUs represent 11.12% of total ICU patients which also is the highest percentage since mid-May.
On Tuesday, the Tarrant County Public Health Department s rolling 7-day average for hospitalizations on July 6 was 154 COVID-19 patients 70 more hospitalizations than a month before.
University of North Texas System chancellor, and first woman in the role, to retire
Fort Worth Star-Telegram 16 hrs ago Kaley Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Jun. 29 Lesa Roe, who became the first woman to lead the University of North Texas System in 2017, announced her plans to retire Monday.
Roe will retire effective March 31, 2022, after spending four years within the UNT System and 33 years as an electrical engineer and executive at NASA, according to a press release from UNT. It has been a great privilege to lead the UNT System in service to our students, the Dallas-Fort Worth Region and the great state of Texas, Roe said in the release. Thank you to our institutions and the local community for embracing me I m very proud of all that we have accomplished, and I look forward to following the UNT System s continued progress and cheering on the Mean Green.
Here s what counties and school districts plan to do now that Pfizer vaccine was authorized for 12 to 15-year-olds
The Texas Department of State Health Services said they believe 1.6 million people in Texas are in the 12 to 15 age group. Author: WFAA Staff Updated: 1:02 PM CDT May 11, 2021
TARRANT COUNTY, Texas
Updated at 1:02 p.m. Tuesday to include additional districts.
Health departments and school districts in North Texas counties are getting ready to expand vaccines for teens.
The FDA announced Monday that it is expanding emergency use authorization for Pfizer s COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 12-15. Next, the CDC s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet - currently set for Wednesday. Shots for kids could begin quickly after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adopts the advisory committee’s recommendation.
Fort Worth Weekly
Photo courtesy of iStock.com
For over a year, we have been stuck in a perpetual loop of the same tropes of fear, stories of sadness, and feelings of fatigue caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic. We need to grieve our losses and continue to support our neighbors. We need to learn from the past, and we need to
move forward.
As an epidemiologist with
Tarrant County’s Public Health department supporting our COVID-19 response effort, I feel radical gratitude for so many of the unsung heroes in our community. I admire the boundless agility and empathy our directors of nursing at long-term care facilities exude for our more seasoned citizens and their families. I commend the small business owners who continually are innovating ways to encourage their employees to get vaccinated. I applaud the relentless respect so many of our fellow citizens practice by