February 15, 2022 Covid Update: Collin County has 200,365 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 2,863 more cases than I reported last week and 1,374 of our Collin residents have died (an increase of 28 people). Thankfully, Collin joins the statewide trend of decreasing cases. While this is good news, there are two big issues surrounding the pandemic we can’t keep ignoring: uncompensated hospital care costs and provider shortages. As many of you may know, a short hospital stay is expensive; Covid hospitalizations were even worse. Although information about the price of all Covid hospitalizations isn’t publicly available, it’s estimated the average …
Collin County Politics: It’s Time to Step Up
February 8, 2022 Covid Update: Collin County has 197,502 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 13,755 more cases than I reported last week and 1,346 of our Collin residents have died (an increase of 76 people). While the overall trend of new infections is down, that didn’t seem to be the case in Collin County last week. I’m not sure why; all I know is we still need to be cautious. Commissioner’s Court: There wasn’t a meeting last week but the winter weather got me thinking about something that rarely gets mentioned in the court: homelessness. The issue doesn’t get a lot …
Collin County Politics: Ignore It at Your Peril
February 1, 2022 Covid Update: Collin County has 191,994 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 8,247 more cases than I reported in last week and 1,311 of our Collin residents have died (an increase of 41 people). While the number of increased cases is significantly down (7,101 fewer), the number of deaths is much higher. Let’s hope the omicron surge is ebbing but our healthcare system is still floundering. A lot of healthcare providers are seriously considering leaving the profession. What will we do without them? Commissioner’s Court: Cheryl Williams was absent last week. Since there was no point in putting off …
Collin County Politics: Life-Blood of Liberty
January 25, 2022 Covid Update: Collin County has 183,747 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 15,348 more cases than I reported last week and 1,270 of our Collin residents have died (an increase of 24 people). It’s weird to watch so many people act as if there’s not a public health emergency. While most are aware thousands have died, the effects of long Covid aren’t getting much play. This is very scary and worrisome as it means long-term suffering for many, including children and teenagers, and a consistent drain on our healthcare system. School Boards: Lewisville ISD just joined the dozens – …
Collin County Politics: Be Extraordinary
January 18, 2022 Covid Update: Collin County has 171,234 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 12,978 more cases than I reported last week and 1,246 of our Collin residents have died (an increase of 19 people). We’re in a dangerous phase. Although omicron may be milder, it’s also wildly more contagious and the sheer numbers are overwhelming our healthcare systems again. It’s also affecting restaurants, schools, the supply chain, and other aspects of our society because so many employees are out sick. Although you may be tired of living in pandemic conditions, please stay home as much as possible, test whenever you’re …
Collin County Politics: New Year, New Momentum
January 11, 2022 Covid Update: Collin County has 158,256 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 21,998 more cases than I reported in the 3 weeks since I last tracked cases and 1,227 of our Collin residents have died (an increase of 29 people). Remember how I said omicron is coming? Well, it’s here and it’s a doozy. If you think you’ve been exposed or are experiencing symptoms, I’d tell you to get tested but good luck finding one that doesn’t have a huge wait. And if you’re uninsured in Collin County, you’re definitely on your own. That’s our tax dollars not working …
Collin County Politics: Awards Edition
December 28, 2021 Most Persistent, Deadly, and Annoying Disease: Covid19 It’s been quite a ride. We went from being terrified of getting the ‘Rona to being desperate to get one of the vaccines. The government of Collin County itself (aka the Commissioner’s Court) demonstrated its overwhelming incompetence when asked to provide vaccines for residents. Vaccine delivery was inconsistent and frustrating even after the Allen Fire Department stepped up and showed everyone how it should be done. How many of us spent hours online searching for vaccine availability, continually putting in our family’s names for waitlists, and then anxiously waiting? Yet …
Collin County Politics: Organize!
December 21, 2021 Covid Update: Collin County has 136,692 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 1,422 more cases than I reported last week and 1,198 of our Collin residents have died (an increase of 8 people since last week). While omicron hasn’t hit us hard yet, it’s coming. Anyone watching what’s happening in New York City now – and remembering early 2020 – knows it’s coming for us next. Boosters seem to be effective against omicron, so get your 3rd shot now. It’s going to get bad, especially since our healthcare system is already overrun and exhausted. Please, for all that’s good …
Collin County Politics: The Rumbling of the Volcano
December 14, 2021 Covid Update: Collin County has 135,270 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 1,617 more cases than I reported last week and 1,190 of our Collin residents have died (an increase of 15 people who died since last week). Just because the death rate is down is no reason to get complacent! The word from skilled nursing facilities is that post-Covid patients – almost all unvaxxed – are overtaxing their resources, including lots of healthcare provider burnout. Patients are spending months recuperating and are dealing with negative effects to a number of areas, including their kidneys, lungs, and heart. They’re …
Collin County Politics: Backsliding
December 7, 2021 Covid Update: Collin County has 133,653 confirmed Covid cases. That’s 1,608 more cases than I reported last week and 1,175 of our Collin residents have died (an increase of 12 people who died since last week). I’m guessing the Thanksgiving holiday get-togethers may be what’s driving the sharp increase but omicron is also officially in Texas. The increase also may be due to people thinking Covid is over. It isn’t! State-wide: So…lots of fun back and forth on mask mandates in schools. In November, Federal Judge Lee Yeakel decided that Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order banning mandates …