December 13, 2022 Covid Update: Collin County has 264,116 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 2,310 more cases than I reported 3 weeks ago and 1,598 of our Collin residents have died (9 additional deaths). Our transmission remains Low but that’s based on reported cases. It isn’t just Covid now though. Public health officials say we’re in a tripledemic, a combination of Covid, influenza, and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Local pediatric beds are approaching 100% capacity for kids with RSV and flu hospitalizations are outnumbering Covid ones. Parents are once again exhausted and struggling to balance childcare, work, and their own health. …
Collin County Politics: Where We Go From Here
November 29, 2022 Local Politics: For someone who consumes a lot of information about American politics, it’s incredibly frustrating to keep hearing about how great Democrats did during the midterms when that wasn’t the case in Texas. It’s discouraging to think about how Republicans (again) hold all the state-wide offices as well as the majority in the state legislature, especially as the freaking Dallas Morning News keeps rubbing it in (while mentioning little about gerrymandering and other voter suppression tactics). But what are we supposed to do about it? Give up? “Do not think of today’s failures, but of the …
Collin County Politics: Hold Their Feet to the Fire
November 22, 2022 Covid Update: Collin County has 261,806 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 537 more cases than I reported last week and 1,589 of our Collin residents have died (23 additional deaths). Our transmission remains Low but that’s based on reported cases. There are a number of people in my life who have gotten Covid recently who probably didn’t report it. Although I feel like I’m just shouting into the void at this point, we still must be vigilant and not just about Covid. About 96% of inpatient beds at pediatric hospitals in North Texas are full and adult hospitals …
Collin County Politics: Be Resisters
November 15, 2022 Covid Update: Collin County has 261,269 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 1,198 more cases than I reported last week and 1,566 of our Collin residents have died (0 additional deaths). Our transmission remains Low but that’s a big uptick and right around the time people predicted it would surge. A lot of people are dismissing the effects of Covid because their cases were mild but Covid isn’t that simple. A recent study found that patients with reinfections tended to have more complications in various organ systems and were more likely to be diagnosed with long Covid than people …
Collin County Politics: Citizens Unite!
November 8, 2022 Picture: Democratic candidates Jesse Ringness (HD66), Alex Cornwallis (SBoE), Sheena King (HD61), Josh Murray (County Judge), Rochelle Garza (Attorney General), and Iro Omere (CD4) show their unity while poll greeting at the Gay Library. Covid Update: Collin County has 260,071 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 512 more cases than I reported last week and 1,566 of our Collin residents have died (1 additional death). Our transmission remains Low. Our flu and RSV rates, however, are kicking into high gear. We should still be wearing masks in crowds. ICYMI: I hope everyone is following the story of the federal …
Collin County Politics: Fulfill Your Obligation and VOTE!
November 1, 2022 Picture: MADC president and all around badass Elizabeth Michel poll greets at the Gay Library in McKinney Covid Update: Collin County has 260,071 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 528 more cases than I reported last week and 1,565 of our Collin residents have died (0 additional deaths). Our transmission remains Low. ICYMI: I seriously hope all the women who care about being in control of their own bodies and the men who love women are voting a straight Democrat ballot. If we don’t oust at least some of the Republicans, things will get even worse than they already …
Collin County Politics: VOTE EARLY!!
October 25, 2022 Covid Update: Collin County has 259,543 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 1,180 more cases than I reported last week and 1,565 of our Collin residents have died (5 additional deaths). Our transmission remains Low yet the number of cases increased. This may be indicative of the surge we could see this winter. I know we don’t want to go back to wearing masks and social distancing but experts are encouraging people to get the new vaccine and practice the same preventative measures we did at the beginning of the pandemic. Better safe than sorry! ICYMI: I’ve written about …
Collin County Politics: Practice Freedom
October 18, 2022 Picture: Waiting for Beto in Plano: Mihaela Plesa (HD70), Sheena King (HD61), Sandeep Srivastava (CD3), David Brignac (District Clerk) Irvin Barrett (JP3), Jesse Ringness (HD66), Jeff Williams (Commissioner’s Court), and Kevin Morris (HD67) Covid Update: Collin County has 258,941 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 578 more cases than I reported last week and 1,563 of our Collin residents have died (3 additional deaths). Our transmission remains Low. Cases are rising again in countries like Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France. Those trends have been a pretty reliable indicator of what we might expect in the US weeks later. …
Collin County Politics: Step Up and Be Heard
October 11, 2022 Picture: Sheena King (HD61) at an Education Forum. Her opponent is a figurative empty seat. Covid Update: Collin County has 258,363 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 644 more cases than I reported last week and 1,560 of our Collin residents have died (3 additional deaths). Our transmission remains Low. Let’s hope the news remains good but cities up north are reporting increasing cases. Allen School Board: President Amy Gnadt was sorely missed at their September regular meeting because that meant Vice President Sarah Mitchell had to take over. Mitchell appeared hesitant and unsure of her role. She needs …
Collin County Politics: Be a Bell
October 4, 2022 Picture: Democrats Sharon Stark, Hava Johnston, Virginia Burgan, and Jesse Ringness (running for HD66) at Frisco’s Beto Debate Watch Party. Covid Update: Collin County has 257,719 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 694 more cases than I reported last week and 1,557 of our Collin residents have died (5 additional deaths). Our transmission remains Low. Elections: I love how a DMN article about the new voting changes makes it sound like they’re a regular procedural hassle instead of a dastardly attempt by Republicans to prevent Democrats from voting. The article somehow forgets to mention that Texas had some of …