Students practice social distancing while they work and study, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, at Alkek Library. Jeffery Halfen Health officials in Hays County and at Texas State are reflecting on the lessons learned and challenges faced after the university's first full semester operating under COVID-19 protocols. Student Health Center Director Emilio Carranco believes Texas Stateâs COVID-19 response, although planned with many uncertainties surrounding infection rates, treatments and vaccines, was effective in limiting community spread. âI have to say that I'm very pleased,â Carranco says. âWe weren't quite sure how effective the prevention measures would be. We thought they would be, but until we actually implemented them and tested them, we couldn't be absolutely sure.â