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Who killed Edgardo Gutierrez?
Here is how to store your COVID-19 vaccine card on your phone
With more businesses and events beginning to require customers to show proof of their vaccine, people are trying to find easier ways to display it so you don’t have to carry it with you where ever you go. Since you’ve always got your phone with you, storing your card on your device is a good option.On iPhones, follow these steps:
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Create a new note.
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Tap the camera icon.
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Select “scan documents.”
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Name your note “covid vaccine card” to make it easy to search for.
On Android phones, do this:
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Open Google Drive.
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Tape add (the + sign).
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Hit scan.
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When you take a photo of your card, Google Drive will save the scan as a PDF file. You can download it so you have access to it even when you don’t have a good internet connection.
Source: www.click2houston.com
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announces new $100 COVID-19 vaccine incentive initiative
Harris County Judge Hidalgo held a news conference Tuesday at 12 p.m. to announce a major new public health initiative to address the ongoing COVID-19 emergency.
During the news conference, Hidalgo announced that anyone who gets their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine through Harris County Public Health will receive a $100 cash card per person, no strings attached.
In order to get the $100, people will need to sign a waiver prior to the vaccine and will need to stay in the post-vaccine waiting area for 15 to 30 minutes after receiving the vaccine, Hidalgo said.
The judge also encourages people to use the $100 to help small businesses. She encouraged residents to spend the money at a local restaurant or store in order to show support to local businesses.
Hidalgo said the incentive is effective immediately. Visit the Harris County Public Health website to learn more about the incentive or to find a vaccine location near you.
Over the past several months, the delta variant of COVID-19 has spread quickly across Harris County, straining hospital systems and disproportionately impacting unvaccinated residents. Over 98% of people currently hospitalized for COVID-19 in the Harris Health System have not been vaccinated, according to a news release from her office.
Source: www.click2houston.com
Texas preparing to take in nearly 300 Afghan refugees
Thousands of Afghan refugees will be coming to the United States.
Texas is preparing to take in at least 320 refugees in the next few weeks, some of which will settle in Houston.
Interfaith Ministries For Greater Houston said 50-60 refugees are already in Houston.
“Interfaith Ministries, we resettled several families over the last couple weeks and we are expecting more families to come,” said Ali Al Sudani, Chief Programs Officer for Interfaith Ministries.
Al Sudani said the refugees first arrived at Fort Lee, Virginia before being flown to Houston. He said the organization helped them find apartments and settle into their new home. Al Sudani said they’ll also assist the refugee to learn English and find jobs.
Al Sudani was a refugee himself more than a decade ago, leaving the Middle East by way of Jordan. He said he understands what it’s like to have to move to a new country and learn a new language and way of life.
“I came here in 2009 as a refugee from Iraq,” he said. “I was working for the British and the American troops back home and because of security concerns I was threatened and had to flee Iraq.”
Interfaith Ministries is collecting monetary donations, as well as children’s clothing, toys, and gift cards for the refugees. You can learn more here: https://www.imgh.org/
The refugees have applied for special immigrant visas and will undergo security background checks and health screenings.
Refugee Services of Texas released a statement saying it “is closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan and lending support wherever we can. We stand ready, willing, and able to work with our national resettlement partners, elected representatives, and the military to process and resettle as many people as possible.”
The images from the International Airport in Kabul are alarming.
Many Houstonians are concerned about their loved ones still in Afghanistan.
We talked to an Afghan man who moved to Houston a few years ago after working as an interpreter for the United States. Now that the Taliban has taken over, he fears for his family’s safety. They have been hiding in their home for days.
That man has filed a case to get his family out of Kabul, but since they closed the embassy, he doesn’t know how to get them out, even if it’s approved.
Source: www.click2houston.com
Mayor Turner, city officials discuss response to COVID-19, vaccinations
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Persse shared an update on the City’s response to COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccinations on Tuesday.
Turner was also joined by several council members, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena during the news conference.
“We’re at a critical time in our fight to stop the delta variant,” the mayor said.
Turner said the Texas Medical Center has reported more than 25,000 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized. He said the city hasn’t seen those hospitalization numbers since the beginning of the pandemic. Turner said the majority of those hospitalized are unvaccinated and contributing to the COVID-19 deaths.
He said the city wants to appeal to parents and the public to continue to get tested, get vaccinated, and wear masks indoors. Turner said he doesn’t want someone who is hospitalized and fighting the virus to regret their decision to not get vaccinated.
COVID-19 vs schools
The mayor also stated that more cases are being reported as school starts and reopen. He is encouraging students, staff, and educators to wear their masks during school hours to help mitigate the spread.
He also mentioned that 11 schools will participate in week three of his Super Saturday Vaccination Day clinics for students and families, scheduled for every Saturday in August.
City of Houston employees impacted by the virus
So far, 293 cities of Houston employees tested positive for COVID-19, 144 municipal workers, 97 in the Houston Police Department, and around 50 in the Houston Fire Department, according to Turner.
He said the city has reached a “grim milestone” in COVID-19 deaths, reported 11 deaths Tuesday by the Houston Health Department.
Vaccinations in Houston
By the numbers, Turner said 69.4% of residents eligible for the vaccine have received at least one shot, 57% are fully vaccinated and 43% of those eligible have yet to be fully vaccinated.
The mayor addressed those who are younger but hesitant about the vaccine, saying it won’t reorganize their DNA or prevent them from having children in the future.
Dr. Persse also restated what the mayor said, saying it’s a “ridiculous accusation and that the vaccine cannot change DNA.” He said the delta variant is so contagious, that chances to get through this pandemic without being vaccinated is becoming zero. Persse said the city’s positivity rate is currently 19.2%.
Rental assistance
Mayor Turner also reminded residents that the city’s emergency rental assistance program has helped millions and to apply while funds are still available.
For more information about the program, visit Houstonharrishelp.org.
Source: www.click2houston.com
US Department of Labor proposes $1.3M in penalties for contractor with extensive history of violations after two workers die at Boston dig site
On Feb. 24, 2021, at a sewer repair worksite on High Street in downtown Boston, Jordy Alexander Castaneda Romero, 27, and Juan Carlos Figueroa Gutierrez, 33, died after a dump truck struck and pushed them into a nine-foot deep trench. For their employer, Atlantic Coast Utilities LLC/Advanced Utilities Inc., its predecessor company Shannon Construction Corp., their owner Laurence Moloney and successor company, Sterling Excavation LLC the incident is the latest in a long history of ignoring the safety and health of its employees.
After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the agency cited the Wayland, Massachusetts, trenching, excavation, and underground construction contractor for 28 willful, repeat, serious and other-than-serious violations. View the safety and health citations.
Given the severity and nature of the recent hazards, and Atlantic Coast Utilities LLC/Advanced Utilities Inc. and its predecessor company’s history of violations, OSHA used its egregious citation policy, which allows the agency to propose a separate penalty for each instance of a violation. OSHA has proposed a total of $1,350,884 in penalties.
Chief among the violations was the company’s refusal to train Romero, Gutierrez, and other workers to recognize and avoid work-related hazards. OSHA also found Atlantic Coast Utilities LLC/Advanced Utilities Inc. failed to conduct worksite inspections to identify and correct hazards, including the risks of being struck by construction vehicles and other traffic, crushed or engulfed in an unguarded trench, and being overcome by oxygen-deficient or toxic atmospheres in the trench and an adjacent manhole.
“Two hardworking people lost their lives because Atlantic Coast Utilities put its own profits over workers’ safety and health,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “The failure of employers to follow federal safety and health regulations designed to keep workers out of harm’s way is absolutely unacceptable. This is yet another reminder of why the department’s mission to protect workers’ rights and ensure safe working conditions is so important.”
Prior to the February incident, OSHA inspected Atlantic Coast Utilities LLC/Advanced Utilities Inc. and Shannon Construction Corp. six times and cited them for a total of 14 violations, including willful, repeat, and serious violations, with fines of $81,242, of which $73,542 was unpaid and has been referred to debt collection. Moloney and his companies ignored the OSHA citations and repeated demands for abatement of the hazards.
“While two families still mourn the loss of their loved ones, this employer has ignored safety violations, failure to pay fines, and shown a total disregard for the safety of its employees. OSHA will use every enforcement and legal tool available to hold scofflaw companies such as this and their owners accountable,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health James Frederick.
“When you fail to train your employees properly, you deny them the most valuable tool they can have, knowledge. Knowledge to do their work correctly and safely, knowledge to understand the hazards that accompany their job, and knowledge of how to identify and eliminate those hazards before they injure, sicken or kill workers,” said OSHA Acting Regional Administrator Jeffrey Erskine in Boston.
In a separate enforcement activity, OSHA opened an inspection of successor company Sterling Excavation LLC on Aug. 13, in response to a complaint of excavation hazards at a worksite at 18 Crestway Road in East Boston. That inspection is ongoing.
In addition to OSHA’s inspections, the department’s Wage and Hour Division is currently investigating Atlantic Coast Utilities LLC for possible violations of federal wage law. Workers or anyone else with information that may be pertinent to the division’s investigation may contact its Boston District Office at 617-624-6700.
The employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Source: www.osha.gov
Governor Abbott Announces Additional Federal COVID-19 Relief Assistance Payments For Local Communities
Under ARPA, the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF) provides emergency funding for eligible localities classified as non-entitlement units of local government (NEUs) to support their response efforts, including medical supplies and hospital staffing. NEUs are cities, villages, towns, and townships serving populations of less than 50,000 and will receive funding distributed by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).
“The success and continued growth of Texas starts on Main Street in our local communities,” said Governor Abbott. “I strongly encourage the remaining local officials of NEUs across the state to apply for this additional funding through TDEM so that the millions of Texans living in smaller communities are not forgotten as they continue their COVID recovery efforts.”
“The Texas economy is the 9th largest in the world and much of our strength comes from our small towns and rural communities,” said Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. “It is vital that our local governments take advantage of the funds that Congress has appropriated so our state emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic even stronger than before.”
“NEUs can be a critical lifeline to communities across Texas, and local governments can benefit from these essential resources,” said Speaker Dade Phelan. “Every community eligible should apply for these funds to further the revitalization of our state.”
“As Texans continue to recover from the economic challenges of the pandemic, we must support our small towns,” Senator Jane Nelson said. “These dollars will help ensure communities across Texas have every opportunity to succeed in their recovery.”
“It’s important that NEUs apply for these federal funds to aid in their economic recovery from unexpected covid expenses,” said Chairman Greg Bonnen, MD. “Texas small towns epitomize our state’s spirit of resilience and determination, and assisting them will enable the entire state to more quickly rebound from the pandemic.”
Last month, the State of Texas began the process of contacting and collecting the required information from the nearly 1,200 local governments before certifying and applying to receive the federal funds into the state treasury. Per federal law, states are required to distribute funding to all eligible NEUs (non-entitlement units of government) within 30 days of receiving the funds into the state treasury. Local governments can contact TDEM to begin this application process.
El centro residencial estatal de Richmond celebra un evento de contratación
El centro residencial estatal (SSLC) de Richmond celebrará un evento de contratación de personal el jueves 19 de agosto, para reclutar y contratar candidatos para más de 100 puestos vacantes. Los reclutadores podrían ofrecer empleo ahí mismo a los candidatos calificados.
El centro residencial tiene oportunidades de empleo para personal de atención directa. Las funciones incluyen ayuda a los residentes con actividades de la vida diaria, terapia y capacitación vocacional. El centro residencial estatal de Richmond proporciona atención residencial a texanos con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo.
“Trabajar en el centro residencial estatal brinda la oportunidad de tener un impacto positivo en la vida de alguien todos los días”, dijo Erin Knight, directora del centro residencial estatal de Richmond. “Es un trabajo muy gratificante poder cuidar a alguien y ver cómo se beneficia de eso”.
Con el fin de ayudar a prevenir la propagación del COVID-19, se requerirá el uso de mascarillas y distanciamiento social en el evento, y el personal seguirá las normas de seguridad de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC).
Qué: Evento de contratación para varios puestos vacantes en el centro residencial estatal de Richmond.
Cuándo: Jueves 19 de agosto, 9 a.m. a 12 p.m.
Dónde: Centro residencial estatal de Richmond, 2100 Preston Street, Richmond
Los solicitantes de empleo deberán presentar documentos I-9 aceptables(link is external) para poder obtener una oferta de trabajo en el momento. Si reciben una oferta, deberán pasar una verificación de antecedentes antes de empezar a trabajar.
Salud y Servicios Humanos de Texas, que administra 13 centros residenciales estatales (en inglés), ofrece muchas prestaciones a sus empleados, como seguro médico y dental, oportunidades de promoción profesional, capacitación remunerada, vacaciones pagadas y ausencias por enfermedad.
Source: www.hhs.texas.gov
Houston Texans will be without Laremy Tunsil for a second straight preseason game due to COVID-19
Before last Saturday’s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, Laremy Tunsil was one of four Houston Texans placed on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list.
All four missed that game. Right now, Tunsil stands as the only Houston Texan from that list who will miss a second consecutive preseason game.
Texans head coach David Culley confirmed this at practice on Monday, saying the offensive tackle tested positive for COVID last week.
“Tunsil will not be back right now,” Culley said. “He’s going to be out a little bit longer.”
As for the others who were on the COVID-19 list, cornerback Bradley Roby returned to practice on Monday, while Culley said that Tunsil’s fellow offensive linemen, Tytus Howard and Roderick Johnson, are still quarantining but should be eligible to return to practice later in the week.
The Texans beat the Packers 26-7 in last Saturday’s preseason opener. They next take the field Saturday evening against the Dallas Cowboys.
Source: www.click2houston.com
Houston Afghan community shares concerns for loved ones still in Afghanistan
The Houston Afghan community is heartbroken by the chaos happening in its home country.
Monday marked another chaotic day in Kabul, Afghanistan. Thousands of Afghans rushed an American military jet as it took off from Hamid Karzai International Airport. Seven people fell to their death because they were trying to escape the Taliban’s takeover of their country.
On Sunday, Afghanistan president Ashraf Ghani left the country as the Taliban overtook the palace and 26 provincial capitals.
Joe Barnes, a research fellow with the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, said it’s a sign the Afghan government collapsed, along with the country’s 20-year agreement with the U.S.
“It all happened so quickly that the Biden administration was caught flat-footed,” Barnes said.
Barnes said the Afghan government’s swift collapse and the Taliban’s takeover likely caught President Joe Biden off guard.
“There was always going to be ugliness occurring no matter when the withdrawal occurred but I think as I mentioned the Biden Administration was blindsided and it appears to have been ill-prepared.”
At Chopan Kabob House in west Houston, there’s a concern for friends and family back in Afghanistan — particularly women and children who may once again lose their rights under Taliban rule.
“I feel very bad for my people right now because they are afraid,” said Ahmed Sadozai, an Afghan refugee. “They are living in a nightmare right now.”
Sadozai left Afghanistan in 2002 at the age of nine because of the Taliban. He said he later came to the U.S. as a refugee thanks to the help of a Houston Catholic group. His sister — an interpreter— died in a chopper in 2010 returning from a mission.
Sadozai said he fears his people will suffer if it’s the same Taliban that terrorized Afghanistan 20 years ago.
“If they have educated Taliban then that’s the right Taliban,” he said. “But if they are the Taliban that is coming from Pakistan then those are the Taliban that will destroy my country and will destroy my people.”
The Refugee Services of Texas said it plans to help 324 Afghans settle in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin in the next few weeks.
Source: www.click2houston.com