METRO has received confirmation five bus operators, four First Transit contract drivers, two Yellow Cab contract drivers, a fare inspector, two mechanics, a customer service representative, and a METROLift reservations operator have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of cases to 126 METRO employees and 36 contractors since March 2020. Fifty-nine of the employees had no contact with the public. METRO tracks and reports all positive cases among its 4200 employees and the various contractors who provide services to METRO. We are also conducting temperature checks of employees and others before they begin their workday at METRO facilities or on our vehicles. The first bus operator last worked July 3 and in the two weeks prior, drove the following routes: The second bus operator last worked July 7 and in the two weeks prior, drove the following routes: The third bus operator last worked July 2 and in the two weeks prior, drove the following routes: The fourth bus operator last worked July 8 and in the two weeks prior, drove the following routes: The fifth bus operator last worked July 11 and in the two weeks prior, drove the following routes: A First Transit contract bus operator last provided services for METRO July 14 and in the two weeks prior, drove the following routes: Another First Transit contract bus operator last provided services for METRO July 13 and in the two weeks prior, drove the following routes: *The charts above reflect the days the operators were on duty two weeks prior to their last days on the job.One First Transit contract driver for METROLift provided services June 23, 18-15 and 12-11. The other First Transit contract driver for METROLift provided services July 2 and 1 and June 30, 26- 23 and 19.One of the Yellow Cab contract drivers provided services for METROLift July 9, 8, 7, 6, 2 and June 29. The other Yellow Cab contract driver provided services for METROLift July 4, 2,1 and June 30- 27 .METROLift is an on-demand service and does not operate specific routes.The fare inspector’s last day on the job was July 10. That employee worked at rail stations along the Red Line. One mechanic last worked July 2 and the other mechanic last worked on June 29. The METROLift reservations operator last worked June 30, and the customer service representative has worked from home since March 22. None of them had contact with the public.Anyone who comes in contact with an individual who tests positive should monitor themselves for possible symptoms, contact your health care provider as soon as you develop any symptoms, and self-isolate to avoid possibly exposing others, including refraining from using public transportation.METRO is working with public health officials so they can identify and notify anyone who traveled the routes driven by the bus operators during those time frames as well as anyone else who may have been impacted by the latest positive cases.Since mid-March, METRO has sought to minimize the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission by operators or passengers by encouraging social distancing. On March 23, the agency temporarily suspended collecting fares to avoid unnecessary contacts. Shortly thereafter, orange mesh fencing was installed across the aisles of every local bus to assure appropriate distancing between operators and passengers.More safety upgrades are also being added to buses, trains and METROLift vehicles. Operators and riders will now have access to hand sanitizer while on board and protective shields around drivers’ seats will provide another layer of separation between operators and the public. Operators and riders are required to wear a face covering while on the system.We appreciate and greatly value our riders. We have taken many actions, including working with the community at large, to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19. To prevent or minimize its transmission on the transit system, METRO asks all riders to use the system only for essential trips at this time, practice social distancing when you do ride transit (i.e., stand or sit at least 6 feet apart, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, wash your hands for 20 seconds before boarding transit and after deboarding, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your elbow, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and stay home if you are sick). Additionally, riders should stand or sit no closer than six feet behind the driver. METRO’s number one priority is protecting the health and safety of our customers, community and employees |
METRO Bus Operators, Contract Drivers, Fare Inspector Among Latest COVID-19 Cases
Mayor Turner thanks NY Governor Cuomo for sending COVID-19 Testing Resources to the City of Houston
| HOUSTON – Mayor Sylvester Turner today thanked New York Governor Andrew R. Cuomo for sending COVID-19 testing site resources to the City of Houston. The announcement was made during Gov. Cuomo’s daily media conference call update in Albany, NY. You can read Mayor Turner’s thank you letter to Gov. Cuomo here. The resources from New York will allow Houston to open two new temporary testing sites that will provide free COVID-19 testing. The support will also supplement the Houston Health Department’s two mega testing sites at Butler and Del Mar Stadiums and the 16 affiliated sites operated with federal, state and local partners. “Houston is grateful for the support from Governor Cuomo and the people of New York. I commend the Governor and his people for their concentrated efforts in slowing down the spread of this virus. We value the partnership and thank them for sending a team and supplies to open two testing sites. Testing is critically important in Houston, especially in the Black and Hispanic communities that have been hit hardest by COVID-19,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. New York sent 19 clinical staff and five support staff to Houston to open the two testing sites along with additional testing supplies. The two testing sites are now open and will remain open for up to two weeks.  The two testing sites are Fallbrook Church, 12,512 Walters Road, which opened Thursday and Higher Dimension Church 9800 Club Creek Drive, which will open on Friday.  |
The Houston Fire Department asks for Thoughts and Prayers as Captain Battles Covid-19
 HFD Captain Leroy Lucio Houston Fire Department Captain Leroy Lucio, a 30-year veteran of the HFD, is currently in a San Antonio Hospital ICU with Covid-19. He is in critical but stable condition. The HFD’s Firefighter Support Network and members of the HFD Honor Guard are with him and his family. The SAFD have been supporting Captain Lucio and his family in his hometown of San Antonio, TX, through this difficult time. HFD appreciates the show of support that Captain Lucio and his family have already received and asks for continued thoughts and prayers as he battles Covid-19.  |
REMINDER: Week 2 of Deeper Dive with BBP is today!
| You still have time to register for the next presentation in the Deeper Dive online series! Today at 1:30pm, BBP Project Manager José Solís will present an overview of our recently launched Buffalo Bayou East Master Plan. This plan envisions new parks and trails, unique destinations and connections to the culturally-dynamic and historic neighborhoods in the area. You’ll learn more about BBP’s process in gathering community input, current progress and more! Register before 1:20pm today, July 16, to receive the link to join. Attendees will be sent the link 10 minutes prior to the start of the event. |
| Series Schedule TODAY: Week 2: Buffalo Bayou East Master Plan Hosted by BBP Project Manager José Solís Thursday, July 16 at 1:30pm |
| Week 3: Public Art Hosted by BBP Vice President of External Affairs Karen Farber and Board Member and Public Art and Programming Committee Chair Judy Nyquist Thursday, July 23 at 1:30pm |
Publicación 1172 – Revista Digital 16 de julio – 22 de julio / 2020
Gracias por visitarnos, este artículo contiene la revista digital de ¡Que Onda Magazine! de fecha 16 de julio hasta el 22 de julio del 2020.
FORT BEND COUNTY JUDGE KP GEORGE URGES CAUTION & OFFERS SAFETY TIPS DURING HOT SUMMER MONTHS
 | FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS- With high temperatures and excessive humidity expected during the summer months, Fort Bend County Judge KP George urges county residents to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat stroke, and exhaustion during the Corona Virus pandemic. |
High-risk groups such as adults age 55 and older, children under the age of five years and people with chronic illness are urged to stay inside air-conditioned buildings until 8p.m. Even when we are not under a Heat Advisory, high-risk groups are asked to stay inside air-conditioned buildings between the hours of 1pm-5pm, which is the hottest time of the day.
“When temperatures are high, we want everyone to stay cool, hydrated, and informed. Those who work outside, senior citizens, infants and children as well as people with chronic medical conditions are more susceptible to the heat and should be checked on regularly to ensure their safety.’’ stated Fort Bend County Judge KP George. “For the next few days, we expect temperatures to remain in the mid to upper 90’s and everyone should prepare accordingly.”
Additionally, the Fort Bend County Judge George as well as the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office recommends people take safeguards against high heat and humidity such as:
• Increase water consumption. Drink lots of liquids even before getting thirsty, but avoid those with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar because these can result in the loss of body fluid.
• Conduct any household outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or late evening when it is cooler. Outdoor workers should drink plenty of water or electrolyte-replacement beverages, if approved by your healthcare provider. They should also take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned facility. Those unaccustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment need to start slowly and gradually increase heat exposure over the span of several weeks.
• Check on the elderly. Take the initiative to set up a face-time, Duo, Zoom or window-visit seniors to look for signs of heat related illnesses. It takes the elderly nearly twice the time of younger people to return to core body temperature after exposure to extreme temperatures. A phone call to the elderly is not sufficient to determine physical condition.
• Wear light-colored, loose fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.
• Do not leave children, senior citizens or pets unattended in a vehicle. The temperature in your car can become deadly very quickly.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat as that helps prevent sunburn as well as heat-related illness. Sunscreen also protects from the sun’s harmful rays and reduces the risk of sunburn.
• Take frequent cool baths or showers if your home is not air-conditioned.
• Electric fans should only be used with an air conditioner. A fan can’t change the temperature of a room; it can only accelerate air movement. So, while you may feel cooler your actual body temperature may be continuing to increase.
• Stay alert to Heat Advisories. The National Weather Service declares a Heat Emergency when the heat index (a computation of the air temperature and humidity, reaches 108 degrees on two or more consecutive days. A heat index of 108 degrees is a potential health threat for all people and is particularly dangerous for high-risk groups.
Report results for July 14, 2020 Primary Runoff Elections
Unofficial Democratic Primary Runoff Cumulative Report: https://harrisvotes.com/ElectionResults/DemocraticPrimary?lang=en-US
Unofficial Republican Primary Runoff Cumulative Report: https://harrisvotes.com/ElectionResults/RepublicanPrimary?lang=en-US
Fort Bend County Judge KP George & County Officials Upgrade COVID-19 Risk to Highest Level
Fort Bend County, TX– Today, Fort Bend County Judge KP George, Fort Bend County Health & Human Services Director Dr. Jacquelyn Johnson-Minter, and Fort Bend Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Flathouse announced that the COVID-19 Risk Level has been upgraded to the highest level, Red.
The RED Level advises residents to “STAY HOME, STAY SAFE”, only travel for essential needs, and restrict activities and gatherings, enhances protections for high-risk individuals such as the elderly, and encourages other personal safety precautions.
“Folks, this is not a drill. Positive cases in our County and Region are increasing at alarming rates. Our hospital systems are preparing for additional capacity as the Texas Medical Center in Houston enact their surge plans. Regional demand on COVID-19 testing has grown exponentially due to uncontrolled community spread of this virus,” stated County Judge KP George. “If we cannot embrace the personal responsibility to control the spread, the Governor of Texas may enact shutdowns or other extreme measures to fight COVID-19.”
Area hospitals in our region, especially the Texas Medical Center affects Fort Bend County. The County hospital systems and public health networks all interact together – the Texas Medical Center takes in many COVID-19 patients from the region including Fort Bend County.
Under the County COVID-19 Risk Level Red, the public is urged to:
– Stay home, except for the most essential needs like going to the grocery store for food and obtaining medication
– Wear face coverings in public to protect others
– Avoid and cancel all gatherings of any size
– Essential workers should practice special precautions to prevent spread
– Highly recommending all vulnerable individuals (65+ or with pre-existing health conditions) stay home
– Self-quarantine for 14 days if in close and prolonged contact with someone who has tested positive with COVID-19
– Avoid non-essential business and personal travel
The full guidance and risk levels can be found at: http://www.coronavirusfortbend.gov
Take Me Out to the Ball Game – Virtually!
| We can’t invite you back to Minute Maid Park just yet but that doesn’t mean you can’t attend a game virtually with an Astros Fan Cutout. For a $100 donation, upload a smiling photo of yourself in your official Astros fan gear and the Astros Foundation will find a seat for you in one of our outfield sections. Net proceeds from your purchase will go to the Astros Foundation to support our ongoing efforts in the Houston community. Quantities are limited and the earlier you upload your photo, the higher the likelihood we can install them at the beginning of the regular season. Get your Astros Fan Cutout today! For more information, visit astros.com/cutouts. |
