Gunner Ochoa

Recently in Austin, Tx, Mayor Adler passed a law that everyone is required to wear a mask in businesses in the city or take $250 fine.

Sign Gold’s Gym in Austin, Tx saying that mask are mandatory in the city. Taken by: Gunner Ochoa

After the Mayor argued with Gov. Abbott a few weeks about making it a law to wear a mask in the city of Austin, the governor finally gave him the go-ahead to put an ordinance into effect after the number of cases in the city skyrocket to record numbers.

This law going to effect has many people at odds on whether or not people should be fined for not wearing a mask, questioning if they really have the authority to tell people what they must wear on their bodies.

“I don’t think that they should be able to enforce that, especially at a city level, state, or national even, and they shouldn’t be able to ticket you,” said Dylan Drummond. ” I feel like that just goes against our personal freedoms, in which this country was founded on.”

The CDC says that the mask best used to keep people from spreading COVID is the N95 mask. It blocks about 95% of particles from coming into the mask when someone takes a breath, but the problem for the average person is that it can be challenging to get their hands on these masks. The reason being that most of them are going to hospitals to help keep first responders safe, and also the manufacturers are having a hard time keeping up with the demand for the mask around the world.

This results in people having to use cloth masks or whatever they can, which gives them much less protection from getting COVID. This fact has a lot of people angry that the city can fine them for not wearing a mask when they can’t guarantee them that a non- N95 mask or cover will give them enough protection from getting COVID.

Picture of people shopping at a local business in Austin, Tx wearing masks. Taken by Gunner Ochoa

If there was a mask that controlled every single bodily fluid, that entered and exited your mouth,” said Dylan Drummond. “Then I would be like, oh okay, we should probably enforce that!!”

But for some people in Austin, it’s more confusion. In the last couple of months before Mayor Adler gave made masks mandatory, he and the Gov. disagreed about having to wear a mask for weeks, with governor Abbot saying that masks don’t need to be mandatory. Also, at the National level, President Trump said that they don’t help, while many of the government scientists and doctors such as Anthony Fauci say they do.

“I think that at the end of the day, people have their opinions, and right now,” said Austin Oaks.  “As a country, we hear things from different sides, you know, and I’m not saying one correct or one is not. Honestly, I don’t know what to believe myself anymore.”

A lot of people think the Mayor making these fines is a way for them to be able to stay open while keeping everyone safe, in order that these businesses can start making money again, and the local economy can get back to normal.

“Some people have decided the way to keep the economy moving is to require people to wear a mask,” said Austin Oaks. “It does give people a little sense of security even though it may or may not work.

One of the biggest problems is that the businesses had already lost so much money from COVID when they had to be shut down for so long. Now they’re having to catch back up on paying their rents while also spending a bunch of money to make sure the store is clean and up CDC and state guidelines. But now if someone walks in without a mask, the business can get fine of $2,000 or worse, be forced to close down.

“I think what happens is  that they’re trying to give a little advice on hey, please wear a mask we don’t want to have to shut you down.” said Austin Oaks But at the same time, if someone walks in without a mask in your business, you could be fined.”

Some people like Dylan Drummond think that since the city has canceled so many huge events that bring in revenue, that the fine is just way for the Mayor to make up some of the lost income. That it’s a way, to help a police force that just got defunded to make back some of the money they lost.

“Basically, in my mind, the fine gains money for their political system,” said Dylan Drummond. “Because it’s not necessarily making money right now. No tickets are being issued because people aren’t driving, hence no income coming into the police department coffers. There’s a lot of police reform happening, and they’re losing a bunch of money in their local government as a whole.”

For people like legal assistant Morgan Saucier, she doesn’t see how they can give you a ticket for not wearing a mask when you’re social distancing, and there are fewer than ten people at a workplace.

“We have to wear masks in the general population area of the firm,” said Legal Assistant Morgan Saucier. “But there are only ten people where I work, so we’re within the ten people max. I shouldn’t have to wear the masks given the guidelines Adler, and Governor Abbot passed. In groups of 10 or less, why should I have to wear a mask when I’m walking around to go to the bathroom?”

There are a lot of people though, that understand and believe that the best way to keep people safe from getting COVID is by wearing a mask.

” I definitely think that the best way to prevent someone from getting the disease is a mask,” said Morgan Saucier. “But, I think that people should have the right to choose if they want to wear them or not. I don’t think there should be a law mandating that people should have to wear them. I also don’t believe that people and businesses should get huge fines when the disease is already hurting everyone so much financially.”

Sources:

Austin Oaks – Phone: 512-560-4758

Dylan Drummond – Phone: 512-672-9828

Morgan Saucier – Phone: 402-218-6755

 

 

 

Doctor’s offices all around the nation are having to take precautions to prevent patients and staff from getting COVID 19. Dental offices are having to make the most precaution of all, as the mouth is the dirtiest place with most germs in the human body.

The CDC came out with guidelines that every dental office the United States has to follow. With patients having to inform their dentist two days before on if they’ve had COVID symptoms. Then when they get there to go over it again with their doctor and get their temperature checked.

The thermometer used to take patience temperatures before they come into the office.  Photo by: Gunner Ochoa

“So since COVID, the government-mandated a lot of things,” said Dr.Robert Ochoa. “We’ve always been in the dental industry, we’ve been kind of ahead of the game. Kind of as far as PPE goes, we always wore masks and gloves, but now they’re dictating the types of masks and the gowns that we have to have and their talk of regulating quality in the office.”

Dental offices over the last few decades have had to wear tons of PPE due to the Aids epidemic that didn’t know about it at the time or what it could do. So they made the dentists start wearing a mask and other PPE equipment then, only to find out later that it didn’t affect them unless they blood on them. Making Dental offices more ready, then most doctors offices for the procedures to deal with COVID 19.

“To ensure the safety of our employees and the safety of our are patience,” said Dr.Ochoa. “We’ve kind stepped it up a little bit, but like I say originally going into this, we were probably way, way ahead of the curve on this thing.”

Even though dental offices wear some of the most PPE and have taken extra measures to ensure no one gets COVID. Some hygienists aren’t taking any chances, even it makes them have to wear more gear regulated. But one of the problems is that wearing that much stuff can make the body get way less oxygen than it usually would.

“It is different; I have to wear two masks now and face shield,” said Hygienist Susan Wise.  “Sometimes it’s really hard to breathe, and by the end of the day, I feel so tired because I’ve little oxygen throughout the day.”

Hygienist Susan prepping to see her next patient come in. Photo by: Gunner Ochoa

For many Hygienists, dental assistants can be scary, working in a dental office. Being so close to people’s mouths were the most germs are. Being closer, the suggested 6ft difference of social distancing by the CDC, it can be very nerve-racking.

“Occasionally, I let it creep into my mind that I’m a little uneasy,” said Wise, But most of the time, I do pretty well!!”

But even with all the precautions, one hygienist who was immune-compromised couldn’t risk their health for going back to work. Being Immune compromised is leaves people who get COVID at one of the most significant risks from not surviving the virus.

“We had one employee in-fact, that decided not to come back,” said Dr. Ochoa. “She was too afraid for herself and her child; she’s a single mom. She’s got a little bit immune-compromised, and she left the job where she was making—forty-six to forty-seven dollars an hour, to going into unemployment.”

For a dental office, not having another hygienist can lose them up to 14 teeth cleanings a day.

“Losing that hygienist is difficult because it loses us couple thousand dollars a day and were trying to make up for all the days we missed from being on lockdown,” said Doctor Ochoa. “It’s hard to find another hygienist right now, there isn’t that many that think it’s worth the risk if they think they might get COVID.”

For a dental office, the most crucial procedure being taken is making sure that all patients are safe. Having to ask patients medical questions about being around someone with COVID. Or has it to also taking their temperatures.

“Now, when the patient arrives, the first thing I do is hold the door open for them when they arrive,” said Dani Jeanette. “We look at the paperwork that we’ve given them. To go over anything, if they’re checked yes on any of the COVID work, we can’t proceed. But usually, you know, it’s okay, and then I have to take their temperature, and once that checks out, I walk the back to the room. I use hand sanitizer, ask them to sit down, and then ask them the questions again. So we’re continually switching masks more than usual during every appointment.”

Even with all the new protocols, a lot of patience is still anxious and scared to be there. A lot of people would put going to the doctor in the high-risk category of the new risk-assessment chart made by the Texas Medical Association.

“More then half of them are a little anxious about coming to a doctor’s office after the COVID,” said Jeanette. “I think one of the things they’re most anxious about when they get to the office. It is that there will be more than ten people there, and that’s not the case. We have it set up where they’re not going to come into contact with that many people.”

One of the ways they try to do this. Is by spreading out patience through the office, also, instead of putting too many people in the waiting room. They only have one waiting in there at a time, while if someone else shows up, they remain in their car till they get a phone call to come into the waiting room.

“Well, every patient has their separate rooms that their in, and sometimes we have a couple that wants to be together. Or a parent that wants to come in and sit with a child, and that’s okay. But we space out their appointments to make sure their 6ft apart all times, and there is plenty of space between people.”

Even with assuring patients that they’re not going to get COVID coming to the dental office. Many offices are still having trouble getting patients to come in for their routine check-ups. Secretary Anne Joyce is saying they’re definitely not banging down the front door to come in for procedures.

“There are a few that are apprehensive, and we totally respect that,” said secretary Anne Joyce. “But the majority of people are comfortable with coming in and would like to get their dental work done.”

It’s also made people right before their appointment because they end up getting cold feet. From being too scared, thinking they pick up the disease from going to a dental office.

“Yes, we’ve had way more last-minute cancelation, which has definitely hurt a little more as of late, said Joyce. “So we’ve really trying to fill those spots with an emergency of patience breaking or needing a tooth removed.”

Sources:

Dr. Robert Ochoa – Phone: 512-415-2586

Susan Wise – Phone: 512-7713591

Dani Jeanette – Phone: 661-674-0578

Anne Joyce – Phone: 512-426-8507

 

 

People doing online dating over the last few years has grown exponentially, especially during COVID. Fourteen percent of people who’re getting married now, met online on a dating app, one of the most popular of them is the app Bumble.

Back wall of Bumble headquarters in Austin, Tx.

“So basically, Bumble is a dating app… Um, while not only a dating app,” said Bumble rep Addison Carter. “Its more of a networking app um, there are three different modes.  The dating mode, there’s a best friend mode, there’s a bis mode. The dating mode you can get on there and match with others for dates.”

Every year now, more and more people found someone from an online dating app. Just starting from a conversation, they had on the app that turned into a date and so much more.

“Ya, we have a lot of users that have met on the app, and end up really liking each other go on dates,” said Addison Carter. ” We also have had a lot of those couples that end up getting married, they might have never met each other if it wasn’t for the app.”

To start a bumble, all you have to do is upload a few pictures, and then you can begin by swiping right on someone you like or left if not interested. Making the app very simple to work even if someone isn’t great with technology.

“I think it’s pretty easy to meet people on the app, you know It’s sort of slow at first because you’re limited in the number of swipes a day,” said Bumble user Garrett Homes. “But, girls, you know where you live. It just matters if there proactive if their shy, they might not message you. So, but overall it’s fairly easy if you put in the work.”

A picture of Garrett Homes getting on the Bumble app to swipe right.

Every year now, more and more people found someone from an online dating app. Just starting from a conversation, they had on the app that turned into a date and so much more.

“Yes, I would say it easier to meet people.. well, I think in this age,” said Garrett Homes. “I think back then, people were a lot more inclined to meet in person, as time has gone on, people have gotten so busy. That a lot of people use it just because of time constraints, especially being in the professional world, you know it can also be kind of a safeguard. You can kind of scope out a little more about them. But I would say as you get older depending on your occupation in your profession, it can be lucky to meet people just solely based on the time constraints. So it just depends on how serious the person is on the other end of the dating app.”

One of the scary things about online dating is though that there could be people that aren’t who they say they’re. Which was shown in the movie now tv show “Catfish,” where the person who made the movie thought they meeting the love of their life. Only to find out down the road, the person looks nothing like who they said they were on the app.

“Um, I always take into precaution, you know all apps try to screen for that,” said Garrett Homes. “But inevitably you’re gonna get catfished at least one time. I have by multiple, when I mean catfished, I mean people have doctored their photos, and they have gained a lot more weight. They have old pictures from two or three years ago, and they look a lot different, or they just use filters and also I’ve had people pose as one person. And then it was a fake profile, but I never ended up going on a date with them. Because kinda this day and age, you always want to look at their social media and see if their real before you actually talk to people.”

But another scary thing that happens is people getting their identity stolen on dating apps.

“I had a friend who one time who had I guy come up to her in a bar, who she had never met and go, why did you stop texting me on Bumble,” said Bumble user Mary Kelleher. “She found out later that someone had made an account with her name and pictures and was matching with people. She had to contact Bumble and tell them it was a fake account and get it taken down.

One of the problems people are starting to run into with online dating now, though. Is that COVID has made hard for people going on dates in person, resulting in the app adding facetime feature so people could do online dates.

“Yes, definitely, I think that there have been a lot more people, but I think the problem is right now during COVID,” said Garrett Homes Is that person is scared to go out so your marching with a lot of people and talking online. But people are scared to meet in person, so there a lot more superficial matches.”

But a lot of people like to use the app in different ways, like finding someone to go on a date with while on vacation. Or finding someone to hang with before they end up moving somewhere.

“I primarily use Bumble when I’m traveling around into different cities, it’s fun to see other people I’m not used to seeing around,” said Mary Kelleher. “Like in Oxford, you see the same people out in about at the bars, so like with Bumble. It’s easier to meet people and find new guys to meet and great for that reason because you can change your location to where ever you’re at.”

But Bumble isn’t even for just dating anymore, it for other things like connecting for business and if people don’t want to date. They also have a feature for just making new friends hang out with.

“I think one of the coolest features is the friend mode,” said Addison Carter. ” Because a lot of the time when someone moves to a new city for a new job they don’t know many people. So it’s a great way to meet people and make friends in a new city.”

Front of Bumble headquarters in Austin, Tx.

 

 

Sources

Addison Carter – Phone: 662-397-2074

Garrett Ochoa – Phone: 512-944-8735

Mary Kelleher – Phone: 479-650-7212

Since COVID-19 first appeared, it has affected millions of people all over the world and has changed the way that society goes about life daily. Although everyone has felt the effect, no age group has been more affected by the disease, than people 65 and older. They have a higher mortality rate than all the other age groups combined. Eighty Percent of all Corona Virus deaths are people who fall into this category.

But death is not the only effect that the virus is having on people of this age category.  For many, their social interaction has been extremely limited, others have been locked away in retirement homes with little or no contact with even immediate family members for fear that they might contract the virus. For those at home, many of the places that they would go to socialize, dine, shop, etc. are closed. Modes of transportation and assistance that they rely on are unavailable, and they have been instructed to stay away from places because of the most significant risk of getting the disease.

Everyone seems to be handing out advice and instruction to this age group, but seldom are they asked how they view and feel about the situation when compared to other worldwide crisis during their lifetimes. Sometimes the voice of experience might be the one that should be heard.

“The biggest thing that has impacted us is just not being able to be with our friends,” said 78-year-old Pete Hoke. “Not being able to go to things like church or to the movies with friends has really affected us because that’s when we get to see everyone and get most of our socialization. The only time we really see people now is in the grocery store, but everyone has to social distance and wear masks, so we haven’t been getting much social interaction with other people lately.”

Another problem that people over the age of 65 and older are running into is since they are at the most significant risk, people are avoiding them. The United Nations put out that they’re finding one of the biggest problems older people face is from younger generations being scared to be around older people, in fear that they could get them sick, or fear that there’s a chance they could get sick from being near them. This, they say, is hurting the older generations.

“For me, I’m not nervous being out and being around people thinking I’m going to get sick,” said 74-year-old Becky Reagan. “I’ve lived through so many similar crises in this country and in my life; I’m a breast cancer survivor, and my family and I got through it. I don’t think it’s good to be scared and stressing about things that we have no control over.”

Born May 3, 1931,  during the heart of the Great Depression, 89-year-old Martha Elizabeth Hamilton is no stranger to a world crisis. The youngest of eight children, born and raised in a 3 room house in rural North Carolina, her life has been a series of World events. She experienced WWII, Korean Conflict, Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement, Prohibition, Polio, Swine Flu, numerous recessions, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Cold War, the AIDS crisis, just to name a few.

A Portrait of 89-year-old quarantining in her garden at her house.

So when it comes to perspectives on experiencing and surviving a crisis, hers is one that should be worth considering. Although she thinks that the COVID situation is cause for concern, she feels that the media and social media have blown the situation out of proportion.

Photo of 89-year-old Martha Hamilton working in her garden at her home.

“Although I have lived through several pandemics, the scariest crisis that I think has happened in my life and for the country, that is very similar to what’s going on now, was when JFK was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald,” said Martha Hamilton. “We had no leadership, and no one knew what was happening. The civil rights movement was starting, and a lot was going on in the world at the time. It was very similar to what’s going on now, and I think that people just need to take a deep breath and remember that we got through everything then, and we will get through it now.”

 

Contacts

Martha Hamilton – Phone: 210-288-6681

Pete Hoke – Phone: 865-684-8943

Becky Reagan- Phone: 865-406-7301

 

 

When the Covid19 Crisis began, many businesses were forced to shut down, but a few were considered and deemed “essential” and allowed to operate. One of these was Auto Dealerships.

With a financial crisis brewing for many Americans due to Covid-19, many car brands and dealerships in the United States started offering 0% financing on cars and lots of other incentives, and surprisingly were selling them quicker than ever. But a big problem that has arisen now is that the dealers don’t have enough cars in stock to keep up with demand from new car buyers.

Over the last few months, Covid-19 has shut down business all over, including manufacturing plants for cars and parts not only in the United States but across the globe. This has made shipping products such as cars into the United States a problem because of regulations that allow importers to only ship so many at any given time. These issues are leaving a lot of the dealerships that sell foreign luxury cars like Mercedes, Audi, and Range Rover on backorder, waiting for vehicles to be shipped to their lots to be sold.

“We sold more cars this April then we ever have before because the 0% financing deals on cars,” said Marketing Director of Landers Car Dealerships, Drew Kitchens. “But it’s kind double edge sword because now we don’ have enough cars on the lot to meet the demand. Also, with a lot of the dealerships, we have selling foreign-made luxury cars, It’s tough to get them shipped in due to all the red tape the government put on the number of vehicles you can get exported from another country due to COVID.”

COVID has also effected car dealerships, selling cars that are made in the United States due to the factories being closed so long and just now opening again. It has caused them to not have as many domestic cars in stock. Even with car manufacturers reopening their doors, they still can’t make as many cars, as usual, being that they have fewer people working in the factories producing them because of health guidelines due to the virus.

“I should get 100 vehicles in the next three weeks,” said Covert Dealership Owner Chance Covert. “Usually we have 800 new in stock at all times, but now we’re down to 200 cars. It’s really hurt us, and if we were forced to close down another month, it would be super bad.”

To make up for not having as many cars, as usual, dealers are having to buy more used vehicles from people to keep turning a profit. The problem is with the rates so low on purchasing new cars, is that now it’s made buying a used car just as expensive as it would be to buy a new car.

“Basically, we’ve been buying pre-owned cars and selling them, which has been okay, but it’s not like selling brand new vehicles,” said Chance Covert. “Once we get the new cars from the factory will still do deals, but there just won’t be as many cars consumers want as usual.”

“The lowest new car financing rates in history won’t do anyone any good if we cant get the factories open and back up to maximum production,” said Financial advisor Joseph Mutter. “What good is zero-percent financing if there is no product available?”

Souces

Chance Covert: 512-845-8522

Drew Kitchens: 901-491-6135

Joe Mutter: 603-973-6836

 

 

 

 

With the social distancing and regulation that has transpired along with the Covid19 pandemic, Gyms and exercise facilities have closed,  exercise classes are not allowed, even parks and public areas are closed or have minimal access. People have been forced to be creative in finding ways to get their much-needed exercise in while doing social distancing at the same time.

Home gym equipment and exercise aids are flying off the shelves and are disappearing from online aftermarkets. People are setting up gyms in their garage or wherever they can find a spot. Whether it is regular exercise, passing the time, just starting out, or even using exercise to psychologically cope with the stressful change in lifestyle that everyone is experiencing, finding a way to get one’s laps or reps in has become increasingly difficult.

“I’ve been either going on a run outside or walking with my dog for about four miles on walking trails near my house every day, which is different because before I worked out at Orange Theory every day,” said nursing student Brooke Rutherford. “Going on the runs, getting some fresh air has really helped cope with the stress, but it can also be annoying because I’m not getting as good of workouts as I was at Orange Theory. The trails can also be really crowded and be a nursing student; I get how important it is to social distance. But living in Texas where it’s so hot right now, it can be hard to have to wear a mask while running in 90-degree heat, so it’s definitely something I’ve had to get used to.”

With the National, State, and local governments saying that people should wear masks outside to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it has made it a lot more challenging for people who’re trying to find different ways to workout outdoors. Many of these people are running and walking on trails, around neighborhoods, at tracks, and it can get difficult to social distance.  With summer coming fast, wearing a mask that may protect you but might also be hot and limit your oxygen uptake and could also affect the health or well being of an individual. Besides the difficulty with mask requirements, as many turn to the streets, trails, crowds begin to form because of otherwise limited access to facilities and spaces.

This makes social distancing harder to achieve. Everyone walks or runs at different paces and in a different direction and often breathing very hard, keeping a safe distance is almost always impossible. In Austin TX, the city has now made a requirement on the Town Lake Trail, the city’s most heavily used resource, that all exercise has to be performed in a clockwise direction for the entire 12 miles of the trail. This rule was instituted to try and adhere to social distancing recommendations, but it is challenging to enforce.  The Lakefront Trail in Chicago, the city’s busiest trail is completely closed to the public.  The Santa Monica Promenade, one of LA’s most used trails, is requiring all users to wear a mask, this can prove very difficult for those who are exerting themselves so much that breathing becomes hampered. For those who rely on Fitness to make a living, the recent crisis has definitely affected the way that they do business daily, but at the same time, people are searching for ways to get out there and exercise.

“Most of the coached training that I do currently is virtual.” said strength and fitness coach Peri Kowal. “I utilize a platform called Training Peaks to upload workouts for my athletes. But the one problem is I can’t coach swimming on there, which is a problem because it’s a big part of coaching people doing triathlons.”

This is due to the lack of facilities and locations. Kowal trains athletes for races and competitions, and many have put their training on hold due to race cancellations or sometimes expense. But another problem of people being able to stay in good enough shape for triathlons.

“I would say it’s about fifty/fifty, many including myself, are able to complete longer and more focused workouts,” said Peri Kowal. “This has to be balanced with an adequate and healthy diet. For some, and I put myself in this, it seems that many are finding it too tempting to reward themselves with treats and less healthful food and alcohol during this time.”

Individuals who rely on fitting in exercise around a busy work schedule or who rely on exercise as part of their daily routine. For one recent Graduate trying to get a career started and balancing work, exercise, and now deal with the ongoing crisis, finding consistency has proven difficult.

“The problem I’m starting to see for myself not being able to work out in a gym,” said Reagan Beecham. “I go through these phases where I won’t miss a workout for two weeks and then lose motivation because doing push-ups gets really old fast. Working out at the gym is a big stress reliever for work for me, which not being able to go to the gym has really affected me getting through workdays.”

Universities across America have closed down all campus activities, the NCAA canceled all spring sports, and now the fall is in limbo. Athletes at the universities are at a point where they do not know what the future holds for them.

It has not been decided if a schedule will be played in fall sports, but the Athletes must be prepared to compete at the highest level if and when the season does happen. This is a difficult thing to do when all facilities and work out areas are off-limits, and the rules of what can and cannot be done are vague at best. This is uncharted water for both the athletes and the programs.

“The seasons still in limbo,” said Director of Football Administration at The University of Texas, Matt Smidebush. “Lots of deferring views about how and when we should have a season. A lot of it will be left up to state and local governments deciding when to ease shelter in place ordinances. The players are all back home working out on their own.”

Finally, One has to wonder about the mental well being of America in this time of stress and uncertainty. Millions of Americans were already dealing with medical problems of their own, both physical and mental. Doctors’ offices, treatments being limited as to who they can see and treat. Stress and financial burdens beginning to weigh on people, it may be just a matter of time until other crises start to arise because of the amount of attention and effort being given to COVID19 and other patients’ lives and issues being put on the back burner.

“For a lot of my patients right now, their biggest problem is weight gain,” said Psychiatrist Dr. Robert Cantu. “A lot them have gained five to 10 pounds, from not being able to work out, which makes them feel uncomfortable in their clothes and starts to make them feel worst about themselves. Which adds to everything else they’re going through with COVID-19, the sense of isolation and loss of self-esteem. I only have about 20 percent of my patients who can do virtual workout classes, but those were the ones who went to the gym every day, but for the ones who didn’t, it’s been more of a challenge to have to motivation to do them.”

Dr. Cantu has made suggestions to his patients about some ways to help cope with their limited exercise options while still adhering to the recommended six-foot separation required for social distancing.

“What I’ve recommended to a lot of my patients is that if they are willing to spend some money, to have a personal trainer come over,” said Dr. Robert Cantu. “The trainer can wear a mask and give them a workout, but the main thing I’m telling the most to my patients is to walk. It’s easy, you’re getting activity, getting out of the house, and getting some fresh air which is great for their mind and their well being.  For the patients that need more motivation, I’m telling them to work out with a friend, whether that’s walking, doing yoga, or virtual class because it will help push them and get them that motivation to get a workout in.”

 

Sources

Brooke Rutherford –  Phone: 901-238-9449

Reagan Beecham – Phone: 731-307-7537

Peri Kowal – Email: kowalperi@gmail.com

Dr. Robert Cantu – Phone: 512-466-8922

Matt Smidebush-Phone: 662-607-2859

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have sent employees home and are in crisis, but for a few, it is business as usual. For some, it is even busier than before the crisis.

There are only a few designated essential businesses right now, and most of them outside of police officers and frontline doctors aren’t nearly as busy as usual. But for a few of these businesses, the demand for their services is high. They aren’t struggling, they’re thriving and having to do more work than ever.

There are not many businesses that are as busy as the Banks. With so many companies being forced to close or run minimal operations, income is down, and employees are being furloughed or terminated.  It has created a need for companies and individuals to seek out loans from their local and national banks. The government is stepping in and helping, by passing the bill that will aid people and small businesses to obtain those loans.

“The Government passed the $2 Trillion Cares Act to help restore strength to the economy after a near shut down while states shelter in place to reduce the spread,” said Texas Capital Bank Executive Managing Director Kerry Hall. “There’s $377 Billion to be exact, that was set aside for small business so that they could keep their employees on the payroll as opposed to laying them off, thereby making the economy even weaker.”

After a long debate between the House and the Senate as to how much money the government could give, they finally passed the Cares Act on March 29th. It is now the bank’s responsibility to figure out just how they’re going to administer the loans and how much they’ll give each qualified person and business. This is a long and tedious task, and the clock is ticking.

“To split it fairly, the government chose to offer an SBA (Small Business Administration) loan to businesses that have been negatively impacted,” said Kerry Hall. “The loan program is to be administered by the banks across the country who have mostly all chosen to only handle their current customers.  The loans are granted in an amount equal to 2.5X a company’s average monthly payroll, and then if spent on payroll, they will be forgiven.  We began taking apps last Friday, and as of today, we have received over 1,250 applications.”

They have to now go and check all the apps for accuracy to make sure the loan amount they’re requesting is in line with 2.5 times their average monthly payroll. Then they submit it to the SBA portal, which is a prolonged process that takes up to 10 days for them to sign and fund the loan. At Texas Capital, every bank employee had to work overtime even during Easter weekend, they worked all night and day and will again the next weekend to get them all through quickly.

This has made the banks busier than ever. Banks are having to mobilize every available worker. This is a monumental task for every bank in the country. Kerry feels like much like healthcare workers, they are genuine American heroes trying to keep the American Dream afloat.

Another group of businesses that are thriving during the pandemic is companies such as UPS and Amazon who do shipping and logistics, moving products all over the country. This group of businesses has to work even longer hours than before to ensure hospitals get medical supplies, and that people get things like food and goods that they’ve ordered online. With so many people who are scared to go out to stores for fear of getting COVID-19, and hospitals needing more PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) than ever, these guys are swamped.

” In some ways, a lot of our projects are delayed because people can’t be in the warehouse doing what they need to do,” said Senior Implementation Manager of Supply Chain Solutions at UPS Paula Hoke. “But the government has reached out to us, and they have us doing emergency storage for PPE, so that’s gotten us really busy now that they need us to turn around a six-month project in two weeks. This makes it quite difficult because we’re dealing with a lot of states who don’t have a proper scope of the project. So we’re having to deal with minimal information and set up everything systematically as we go, which has us putting in way more extra hours than usual.”

It’s companies like UPS who are helping the doctor have the proper equipment to be able to fight COVID-19 on the front lines all over the country. They need to be well-stocked just in case the virus gets worse, and more of the country starts to see the infection spread.

Other companies like Amazon are also busier than ever, having to get more packages and orders to people than usual. So much so that they even stopped delivering customers groceries to them, not just for health care reasons, but only because they couldn’t keep up with the demand. They’re so busy doing deliveries, while most companies have had to let people go, Amazon is hiring 75,000 extra workers with demand rising.

A business that most people wouldn’t think about, but is thriving right now, is the home and business security industry. Even though a lot of cities and states crime is down at the moment, security businesses are having to work more than ever during the pandemic.

“One thing we do is deal with various security installations, which one is life safety,” said Rob Sobczak. “So every building that has a particular occupancy load has an elevator or sprinkler system, also has to have fire alarm inspections, monitoring, and service. Even with the pandemic were still having to make sure all these businesses are still getting their services now more than ever, all the essential businesses were having to make sure everything is up to code. Like hospitals where there are more people now were having to make sure the services are working for their safety”.

The security company’s all across the country are having to spend extra hours making sure that services such as fire alarms are still being regulated and taken care of. But the most prominent thing security is dealing with right now is keeping businesses and people homes from being robbed and making sure all their equipment is working.

“Another thing we’re dealing with right now is Access Control, which deals with door entry systems,” said Rob Sobczak. ” A lot of these businesses have doors that lock and unlock on a schedule Monday through Fridays. So, all my technicians and I are having to drive around Austin reprogram all these doors, so they don’t open, because a lot of the buildings are vacant. So the employees don’t go in the buildings when they’re not supposed to be there right now.”

Home security is also busier than usual since more people are in their homes right now. They’re starting to check their cameras and security systems at their houses and notice something not working, so they are getting lots of calls to fix things. They also are having to deal with a lot of people that are afraid that they’re going to get burglarized because of people being out of work and desperate. Hence, technicians have to install more security systems than average right now.

 

 

Sources

Kerry Hall – Phone: 512-619-0210

Paula Hoke – Phone: 404-429-2771

Rob Sobczak – Phone: 512-848-2585

 

 

Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic, many schools in the state of Texas have had to switch to online learning. This is making teachers’ jobs even more demanding than they already are. Now they are faced with the task of moving all curriculum online; this can be a huge undertaking, especially in big cities like Austin, Texas. With the state also canceling the Texas state achievement test (STAR), which accesses if students are ready for the next grade, many are wondering if the students at schools in the city are all prepared to be successful at the next grade level.

In the greater Austin area, there are 27 school districts with hundreds of schools. Everyone one of them in the last few weeks has had to switch to online classes. This has been difficult for both teachers and schools as they have to find ways to administer classes online, using apps like Zoom. Some more affluent school districts in the Austin area, such as Eanes and LTISD (Lake Travis), gave all their kids Ipads to do classes on.

“All Eanes schools are teaching online, having the students use the zoom app on their Ipads,” said English teacher Brenda Mosher.” We’re teaching all classes, including electives online, we broke them up by doing periods one through four on Monday and Wednesday. Then by doing periods five through seven on Tuesday and Thursday, the district gave the students Friday off. The kids are doing well, except the ones who’re usually are disruptive in class.”

But for other school districts that are less affluent,  such as the Austin Independent School District, it can be challenging to get all of the students’ devices to do classes on. In this case, the district has so many more schools in it and less money to divide between each school.  This is preventing some of them from being able to start classes online. This could affect students’ academic performances in the future, and the delay could cost the district even more money and time, requiring the semester to extend further into the summer.

It can also be challenging for students in the grade, junior high, and secondary schools to do classes online, having never done it on a device, let alone outside a physical classroom. It’s hard enough for college kids who generally have developed better time management skills to take online courses. Now schools are asking kids at all levels, especially in junior high and grade school, who may not have a real grasp on time management to do the entire semester online. These kids may need a great deal of instruction just to figure out how to manage online education, much less the coursework itself.

“We are making it where they can request extra tutoring time on Fridays if they’re having trouble,” said Hill Country Middle School reading teacher Kristin Behnke. ” Since we don’t have the twice a week tutoring before school available as usual.”

Some teachers in Austin are finding out that it’s harder for kids to do their work during online classes and even just to get some of them to log on. As on Zoom, you don’t have to facetime the class if you don’t want too, you just call in, so many students are doing that, then just walking away from their computers and acting like they’re there when they really aren’t. There has also been a problem of kids messing around with the chats on Zooms and sending inappropriate messages.

“I’ve been putting the kids in groups of four on Zoom and had open discussions about book we’re reading in class,” said Brenda Mosher. ” I think it’s fresh and interactive, I’ve tried to give them less busywork to do also. But it is more challenging trying to keep them on a task in these small groups, especially when a class can only be 40 minutes long.”

One of the biggest things to happen so far to schools in the state of Texas and in the city of Austin is Gov. Greg Abbott waiving the state mandatory STAR test. This test accesses where students all around the state are academically, and if the students should be passed to the next grade level. It’s something a lot of these school districts in Austin spend weeks preparing for. Hours of teaching and instruction are put into it. The more of the students that pass, the more funds are earned by the district and schools.

With the waiving of the test for all students, many of the teachers are worried that some of the students who have a harder time learning will be just getting passed to the next grade without genuinely being prepared to be there. It also could cause more frustration for teachers having to spend extra time to teach the students when they don’t have a score to determine where the student needs help. It could cause some students to repeat the grade if they can’t grasp the academics. Many teachers, on the other hand, think that they will be able to teach everything the student needs to be successful when they move on.

“We planned to pick up where the students left off, and they will be taught the key elements they need to move on,” said Susan Tribble. If we didn’t do this, for example, math totally builds on itself, and you move on without each step building on the previous. But if other schools don’t get to teach them all they need to know, then teachers like me have to spend more time catching them up.”

 

Sources

Susan Tribble – Phone: 512-773-6813   Email: Susantribble@gmail.com

Brenda Mosher – Email: bmosher@eanesisd.net

Kristin Behnke – Phone: 512-968-5785 Email: kbehnke@eanesisd.net

 

 

 

 

 

The cancelation of the popular South by Southwest (SXSW) event in Austin Tx. on March sixth because of Corona Virus scare has many businesses, their employees, and artists having a hard time figuring out how to make up for all the financial loss due to the festival cancellation.

For the Austin economy, SXSW is one of the biggest money-makers for local businesses and artists; it also keeps many of them afloat for the entire year. The 2019 festival brought the most money to the city’s economy in its 34-year run, a whopping grand total of $335.9 million. The city believes that that number would have been even larger this year.

Last year, hotels alone in Austin made $1.9 million off of people staying there who were coming to attend the festival.  Many of these businesses rely on the income they make from the festival to remain open because it’s become so expensive to pay rents and taxes in Austin, it really helps them stay ahead in times when there is less cash flow. Other companies like The Chive media group use this opportunity to advertise and promote their business by throwing events and parties during the festival.

“It definitely affected us as we were going to partner with several different businesses during the festival,” said producer for The Chive, Cameron Biehle. “But people were going to sponsor a big party of ours that ended up getting dropped due to so many people dropping out. It was actually right before they announced SXSW was canceled, but we definitely had a lot of money riding on it; that never came through as it did the same for a lot of entertainment companies.”

One of the most significant industry’s hurting from SXSW getting canceled are the local bars, of which there are 245 of in the city of Austin. A lot of the bars in Austin host parties and events for SXSW, having a wide variety from famous to local, musicians perform. The companies pay to use the venues for the festival. But with the festival being canceled, all the musicians and events not happening, the bars have lost a lot of income.

Some of these bars even pay for prominent headline performers to come to perform at the venues during the festival, and then SXSW pays them back using the venue for the concert. But now that they aren’t getting paid back by the festival and since they won’t make any money off what they would of from people buying drinks at the bars, it has a lot of these bars wondering how they will make it up.

One of these businessmen, Will Bridges who is the Co-Owner of Antones Nightclub and owns many other prominent bar/restaurant businesses in Austin, such as Deep Eddy Cabaret, Cisco’s, Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, and several others. Will was set to have events, and the parties for SXSW planned for every venue he owns, so right when they canceled, he definitely felt a hit. Now it has him wondering with all the craziness right now when they will make it up and be able to open their doors back up for business.

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But it’s not just the businesses hurting from SXSW getting canceled this year it’s the employees also and the local musicians who aren’t getting the income they would usually have if the festival had happened. A lot of that income is what those employees and local musicians planned to live off of for the next few months. Especially now when bars, restaurants, and music venues are shut down for who knows how long because of the Corona Virus.

“The closure of music venues has hit our industry extra hard because it’s not just venue staff and promoters affected but also all the musicians and crew and artist teams,” said Co-owner of Antones Will Bridges. “Our staff and resident musicians are worried about how they’re going to support themselves. The music industry has its ups and downs, but it’s what we love, and we’re all a big family. Right now, the hardest part is we can’t even be together.”

The Coronavirus scare and closings are just another blow to an industry that was already hurting from the cancelation of SXSW. But now they have to shut the doors for a while, which will impact employees and local musicians even more. It’s making it even harder for employers to be able to keep paying their employees, leaving them to start having to let people go or tell them they just won’t be paid for a while.

Many of these owners are still hoping there will be some kind of relief from SXSW hoping at least to get some money back that they lost or were going to get. When asking Peter Whitfield, network architect for SXSW about the cancelation, if businesses would get their money back and with the no refund policy for people who bought passes.

“I really can’t discuss it due to contractual obligations,” said Peter Whitfield. ” But people can refer the latest website that says that passes bought for 2020 would be honored for any of the next 3 years of SXSW events.”

But there is still no certainty on when, or if, businesses will receive any of the income that they’ve lost from the festival. Now all they can do is wait to see if they will receive any of their money that was invested, and only time will tell when they will be able to reopen to make up for that income loss and if they’ll be able to keep employees on and pay them.

 

Sources

Cameron Biehle – phone: 512-694-7027

Will Bridges – email: will@antonesnightclub.com

Peter Whitfield – email: