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Houston’s mayor, other leaders encourage residents to get a vaccine booster shot as COVID cases surge

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Houston’s mayor, other leaders encourage residents to get a vaccine booster shot as COVID cases surge

Local officials reinforced their call Tuesday for residents in southeast Texas to get a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine in order to fight off the surge of the omicron variant, echoing similar statements made by President Biden.

“I give a lot of credit to that third dose,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who announced Dec. 17 that he had tested positive for COVID-19.  Turner is fully vaccinated and said he received a booster dose in October.  Despite doing so, Turner said he began to feel symptoms associated with bad allergies, thinking they were just that.

“They felt like sinus issues or allergies, slight sore throat, itchiness in the throat and then drainage, a cough,” he said.

Turner has been under self-quarantine at his home. He said overall, he feels okay and said that was because of his third dose of the vaccination.

“I’m doing much better,” he said. “I started experiencing symptoms late Thursday night. Never had a fever or anything and never felt any fatigue.”

Turner’s symptoms were in line with those described for the omicron variant, which doctors said has become the most dominant strand in the United States.

On Tuesday, Biden urged Americans to get fully vaccinated and a booster shot to fight off severe illness and infection.

“We should all be concerned about omicron but not panicked. If you’re fully vaccinated, especially if you got your booster shot, you are highly protected,” Biden said. The president also announced the Federal government will provide 500 million free at-home tests, as well as add more testing sites and pop-up vaccination clinics.

Testing has been a prime priority for many this week with long lines at testing locations sites throughout the Houston area leading up to the Christmas holiday.

”Testing is also important, because quite frankly, if I didn’t go and get tested and just thought what I thought I had, then I could have been infecting a whole lot of people,” Turner said, adding he supported the President’s direction on the fight against omicron.

Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services show that out of the 16,322,032 Texans who are fully vaccinated, 4,182,621 have received a booster dose as of Tuesday. That amounts to roughly 26% of Texans who are considered to be fully vaccinated.

Area health leaders said omicron is the most dominant variant in the Houston area, currently.

Dr. Linda Yancey, an infectious disease expert at Memorial Hermann Hospital, said she has seen an increase in the number of people inquiring about a booster dose given the rise of the omicron variant.

“We are seeing people who took a wait and see approach early on. They have waited. They have seen and they are coming in and getting vaccinated,” Yancey said.

Source: www.click2houston.com

In Texas Supreme Court case, state argues that Dallas-Houston bullet train developer can’t use eminent domain

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In Texas Supreme Court case, state argues that Dallas-Houston bullet train developer can’t use eminent domain
The fight over a 240-mile high-speed rail line that would connect Dallas and Houston has been going on for almost a decade.
The fight over a 240-mile high-speed rail line that would connect Dallas and Houston has been going on for almost a decade. (Michael Stravato For The Texas Tribune, Michael Stravato For The Texas Tribune)

The Texas attorney general’s office has put its weight behind a landowner’s case against the companies developing a controversial Dallas-Houston bullet train, arguing they can’t force people to sell parcels needed for the high-speed rail project.

Weighing in on the matter at the invitation of the Texas Supreme Court, the attorney general’s office offered the latest twist in the nearly decade-long fight over a 240-mile line that would connect Dallas and Houston. While the project has picked up support from leaders of urban areas, it’s encountered hard resistance from residents of the rural counties on its proposed path.

One of those residents, Leon County landowner James Miles, sued Texas Central after the private company sought permission to survey his 600-acre property in 2015 as part of its efforts to examine the land for the project. Miles asked the courts to declare that the company did not have the right to enter his property because it does not have the eminent domain authority granted to railroad companies.

He won at a trial court, but the legal dispute reached the Texas Supreme Court after a state appellate court in Corpus Christi sided with Texas Central and a related company.

In a legal brief filed with the Texas Supreme Court on Friday, deputies for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton argued the high court should reverse that appellate decision and rule in Miles’ favor because the companies fall short of the Texas Constitution’s definition of a rail company.

“The [companies] may only make preliminary examinations and surveys of private landowners’ properties for the purpose of constructing and operating a bullet train if they are either railroad companies or interurban electric railway companies,” the state wrote in its brief. “In the State’s view, the [companies] are neither.”

That leaves them with “no authority to enter, examine, survey or condemn Miles’ land,” the state wrote.

The state’s legal brief turns largely on the meaning of a portion of the state Transportation Code that gives private entities the ability to exercise eminent domain if they are “operating a railroad.” Reading at times as a semantic study in how to interpret tenses and grammar in state statute, the state said the companies could not be classified in that way because they “currently own no trains and have constructed no tracks or train depots.”

“The rules of grammar confirm that the Respondents are not railroad companies,” the AG’s office argued.

In the litigation, the companies have contended they meet that definition under the Transportation Code because they have performed the preliminary activities needed to construct a railroad, creating a reasonable probability that they would operate a railroad in the future.

The state also disagreed with the companies on this point, saying they could not show a likelihood of procuring sufficient financing to complete the project.

Texas Central representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has previously promised to fund the project — at a cost of around $20 billion — with the support of private investors and without public funds.

Company executives have previously said they would prefer not to use eminent domain “at all” and would rather work out amicable sales agreements for the thousands of parcels needed to construct the project across 10 counties. The company has also vowed to minimize how much the line will impact the land around it.

The high-speed rail project has been mired by setbacks and controversy for the better part of a decade. In both courthouses and at the Capitol, opponents have zeroed in on Texas Central’s claim that state law gives it the right to use eminent domain and force unwilling owners to sell their land.

The push for the Dallas-Houston bullet train has been built on its promise of establishing a line on which trains could run at speeds of up to 205 mph to cut a trip that would normally take four hours by car down to 90 minutes.

But securing the land along its proposed route has proven a challenge. In 2020, Texas Central said it had secured more than 600 parcels covering just about 40% of the lots — not the land — it needs for the project. Given fierce opposition to the project in rural areas, eminent domain is seen as likely to become a necessity at some point.

In Leon County, one proposal would bisect Miles’ 600 acres with a 100-foot right-of-way, according to the legal filings.

On Monday, opponents of the rail described the attorney general’s brief as a “strong show of support for Texas private property rights.”

“The brief filed by the [attorney general’s office] is clear that the past activities, corporate structure and financial state of the project coupled with the very high level of uncertainty that the project would ever even be built does not meet a threshold that would support Texas Central’s claim that it has eminent domain authority,” the group Texans Against High-Speed Rail said in a press release.

Source: www.click2houston.com

Houston-area restaurant temporarily closes due to rise in COVID cases

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Houston-area restaurant temporarily closes due to rise in COVID cases

The inside of the Dandelion Cafe in Bellaire was dark on Monday. The establishment’s current plans call for it to stay that way for another week.

Co-owner Sarah Lieberman said the cafe has temporarily closed due to a rise in COVID cases.

“Our whole management had tested positive so our options were, we shorten our hours and run on a skeleton crew, and then everybody probably gets it anyway, or we close early and we try to prevent people from getting it,” Lieberman said.

Lieberman said that she and about a third of the staff have tested positive despite receiving the vaccine.

“We decided it was in the best interest of the staff, our customers, and everyone’s families to close,” she said, noting the decision was voluntary.

Other local establishments posted on Instagram that they too would be temporarily closed for different lengths of times, citing the virus and the omicron variant.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo shared concerns about omicron on Monday after one person in Harris County was said to have died from the variant.

“I understand the impulse to just tune out the latest news and just be sick and tired of all of this. But, as we’ve been expecting, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has arrived in full force,” Hidalgo said.

Lieberman said she has the means to briefly close but knows others may not.

“We have staff that has small children,” she said. “And the priority is people rather than the business at that time.”

The cafe plans to stay closed until Dec. 27.

Source: www.click2houston.com

Harris County raises threat level from yellow to orange due to ‘explosive growth’ of omicron variant

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Harris County raises threat level from yellow to orange due to ‘explosive growth’ of omicron variant
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced Monday that she will raise the COVID-19 threat level from yellow to orange due to a rise in cases in the area.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced Monday that she will raise the COVID-19 threat level from yellow to orange due to a rise in cases in the area.

Hidalgo cites an “explosive growth” of the omicron variant throughout Harris County.

“Unfortunately, the omicron variant has arrived in Harris County in full force,” said Judge Hidalgo. “These trends are understandably frustrating – especially as we close out the year with friends and family. But we can still blunt the force of this latest wave if we take action. As we approach Christmas and New Years, consider giving yourself and your family the gift of health by getting your booster, getting tested before any gatherings of people outside of your household, and wearing a mask. It could very well save your life or that of a loved one.”

Threat level orange indicates a significant and “uncontrolled level” of COVID-19 in Harris County, meaning that there is ongoing transmission of the virus, according to the county’s COVID-19 data hub.

At this level, county officials urge unvaccinated residents to minimize contact with others, avoid any medium or large gatherings, and visit only permissible businesses that follow public health guidance.

For more information on Harris County’s COVID-19 threat level indicators, guidance, and related information visit ReadyHarris.org.

1st omicron-related death reported in Harris County

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1st omicron-related death reported in Harris County
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced the county’s first omicron-related death during a news conference Monday.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced the county’s first omicron-related death during a news conference Monday.

This comes hours after she raised the COVID-19 threat level from yellow to orange.

In a news conference, Hidalgo, alongside other Houston-area labor leaders said that the patient was a man in his 50s with underlying health conditions.

The man was not vaccinated, Hidalgo added. The patient was also receiving Regeneron as a treatment for the illness.

Hidalgo stressed that those who have not received the vaccine, especially the booster shot, should get it as soon as possible as COVID-19 cases rise.

“It’s the best gift you could possibly give to your family,” she said.

Source: www.click2houston.com

The 355 – Movie trailer

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The 355 – Movie trailer

A dream team of formidable female stars comes together in a hard-driving original approach to the globe-trotting espionage genre in The 355. When a top-secret weapon falls into mercenary hands, wild card CIA agent Mason “Mace” Brown (Oscar®-nominated actress Jessica Chastain) will need to join forces with rival badass German agent Marie (Diane Kruger, In the Fade), former MI6 ally and cutting-edge computer specialist Khadijah (Oscar® winner Lupita Nyong’o), and skilled Colombian psychologist Graciela (Oscar® winner Penélope Cruz) on a lethal, breakneck mission to retrieve it, while also staying one step ahead of a mysterious woman, Lin Mi Sheng (Bingbing Fan, X-Men: Days of Future Past), who is tracking their every move.

As the action rockets around the globe from the cafes of Paris to the markets of Morocco to the wealth and glamour of Shanghai, the quartet of women will forge a tenuous loyalty that could protect the world—or get them killed. The film also stars Édgar Ramirez (The Girl on the Train) and Sebastian Stan (Avengers: Endgame).

The 355 is directed by genre-defying filmmaker Simon Kinberg (writer-director-producer of Dark Phoenix, producer of Deadpool and The Martian, and writer-producer of the X-Men films). The screenplay is by Theresa Rebeck (NBC’s Smash, Trouble) and Kinberg, from a story by Rebeck. The 355, presented by Universal Pictures in association with FilmNation Entertainment, is produced by Chastain and Kelly Carmichael for Chastain’s Freckle Films and by Kinberg for his Kinberg Genre Films. The film is executive produced by Richard Hewitt (Bohemian Rhapsody), Esmond Ren (Chinese Zodiac), and Wang Rui Huan.

Moderna booster shot increases antibody levels against Omicron

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Moderna booster shot increases antibody levels against Omicron

Biotechnology company Moderna announced Monday that preliminary data suggests its half-dose booster shot increased antibody levels against the Omicron coronavirus variant — and a larger-sized dose of the booster increases antibody levels even more.

Currently, Moderna’s booster is administered as a 50-microgram dose. The company announcement noted that this dose increased antibody levels 37-fold, compared with the levels seen when a fully vaccinated person does not receive a booster, and a 100-microgram dose increased antibody levels 83-fold.
It remains unclear what these increases mean as far as how well the booster doses clinically work against Omicron.
But in the company’s statement, CEO Stéphane Bancel called the data reassuring.
“The dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases from the Omicron variant is concerning to all. However, these data showing that the currently authorized Moderna COVID-19 booster can boost neutralizing antibody levels 37-fold higher than pre-boost levels are reassuring,” Bancel said.
“To respond to this highly transmissible variant, Moderna will continue to rapidly advance an Omicron-specific booster candidate into clinical testing in case it becomes necessary in the future. We will also continue to generate and share data across our booster strategies with public health authorities to help them make evidence-based decisions on the best vaccination strategies against SARS-CoV-2.”
SARS-CoV-2 is the name of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19.
It’s now up to US public health authorities to consider whether Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine booster should be given at a larger dose, Dr. Stephen Hoge, president of the company, said Monday.
“The decision of whether to deploy 100 micrograms or a higher dose is really one for public health agencies at this point. We are just providing the data, and obviously, we’ll share it with everybody so that they can make that determination,” Hoge said during a company conference call.
Moderna spokesperson Colleen Hussey confirmed to CNN in an emailed statement Monday that the company is “sharing the data with regulators as they begin to assess if any changes to the authorized boosters need to be made.”
Moderna’s current coronavirus vaccine booster is authorized for emergency use for people 18 and older in the United States and given as a half-dose at 50 micrograms, and it’s authorized at the 100-microgram dose for people who are severely immunocompromised, the statement noted.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 32% of fully vaccinated adults — almost 60 million people — have gotten a booster dose. More than 26.7 million of them have received a Moderna booster, according to CDC data.
Separately, “we’re going to continue to advance an Omicron-specific booster into clinical trials in early 2022,” Hoge said Monday.
Covid-19 booster shots can help improve protection against the Omicron coronavirus variant, and there is no need for a variant-specific booster dose at this time, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said last week.
“A number of studies have been done throughout the country and the world to take a look at how we might prepare in the context of vaccinations,” Fauci said.
“The message remains clear: If you are unvaccinated, get vaccinated,” added Fauci, the chief medical adviser to President Biden. “And particularly in the arena of Omicron, if you are fully vaccinated, get your booster shot.”
Source: edition.cnn.com

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Soars to Record $260M U.S. Opening, $600.8M Globally

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‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Soars to Record $260M U.S. Opening, $600.8M Globally

The superhero pic scored the No. 2 domestic debut of all time as moviegoing returned to pre-pandemic levels for the first time despite omicron. But not all are celebrating: ‘Nightmare Alley’ found coal in its Christmas stocking.

Sony and Marvel’s Spider-Man: No Way Home spun a record-breaking web in its box office debut, grossing $260 million from 4,336 theaters to secure the second-biggest domestic opening of all-time at the box office despite growing worries over the COVID-19 omicron variant.

Monday’s final number of $260 million came in ahead of Sunday’s estimate of $253 million to supplant Avengers: Infinity War as the No. 2 launch ever, not adjusted for inflation.

Overseas — where the new variant is even more of a concern in certain markets, and particularly in Europe — the movie also made history, grossing $340.8 million — likewise an uptick over Sunday’s estimate of $334.2 million — for a revised global total of $600.8 million (without China). That’s the No. 3 global opening ever, not adjusted for inflation.

WANTED: Suspect responsible for Hit and Run

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WANTED: Suspect responsible for Hit and Run

Crime Stoppers and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division need the public’s assistance identifying the suspect responsible for a Hit and Run – Failure to Stop and Render Aid.

On Friday, November 19, 2021, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the victim was riding their motorcycle in the 2400 block of Porter Rd. in Katy, Texas. During the incident, the victim was traveling southbound when they were struck by the suspect vehicle, a (tan or beige Mazda B-Series Pick-up truck). The suspect was traveling northbound and attempted to turn west on Lakecrest Harbour Dr. when the collision occurred. The suspect fled the scene without rendering aid to the victim. The victim suffered serious bodily injury and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the suspect(s) in this case. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. Only tips and calls DIRECTLY TO Crime Stoppers are anonymous and eligible for a cash reward.
Report a Tip Now!

Solid Waste Management Department Collection and Facility Schedule for Christmas Holiday and New Year’s Day

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Solid Waste Management Department Collection and Facility Schedule for Christmas Holiday and New Year’s Day

A new Solid Waste collection schedule will be implemented in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.  Starting on Thursday, December 23rd, curbside recycling services will be affected by the schedule below.

Please note that citywide collections continue to be impacted by a shortage of drivers. The City is offering a $3,000 signing incentive pay for new drivers. For more information about SWMD and our services, visit us at houstonsolidwaste.org and download our app HTX Collects on Google Play or IOS Store to stay up to date on service alerts.

Monday, December 20 – Friday, December 24, 2021
Residents will receive normal trash, yard waste and junk waste collections.  Monday and Tuesday residents will receive normal B-Week curbside recycling.  All
Neighborhood Depositories and Recycling Centers will be open.

Thursday, December 23 – Friday, December 24, 2021
Thursday and Friday B-Week curbside recycling services will not be provided.  Thursday and Friday B-Week curbside recycling will receive collections on your next regularly scheduled collection day (Visit HERE for your next regularly scheduled collection day.)

Saturday, December 25, 2021 (Christmas Day)
CITY HOLIDAY: No Collections on Christmas day. All Solid Waste facilities are closed.

Monday, December 27, 2021
CITY HOLIDAY:  All trash, curbside recycling, yard waste and junk waste will resume as scheduled.  All Neighborhood Depositories, Recycling Centers and administrative offices will be closed.

Tuesday, December 28 – Friday, December 31, 2021
All Neighborhood Depositories, Recycling Centers and administrative offices will resume normal operating hours.

Thursday, December 30 – Friday, December 31, 2021
Thursday and Friday A-Week curbside recycling services will not be provided.  Thursday and Friday A-Week curbside recycling will receive collections on your next regularly scheduled collection day. (Visit HERE for your next regularly scheduled collection day.)

Saturday, January 1, 2022 (New Year’s Day)
CITY HOLIDAY: No Collections on New Year’s Day. All Solid Waste facilities are closed.

Monday, January 3, 2022
CITY HOLIDAY:  All trash, curbside recycling, yard waste and tree waste will resume as scheduled.  All Neighborhood Depositories, Recycling Centers and administrative offices will be closed.

Tuesday, January 4, 2022
All Neighborhood Depositories, Recycling Centers and administrative offices will resume normal operating hours.

For more information about SWMD and our services, visit us at www.houstonsolidwaste.org, “LIKE” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/houstonsolidwaste, follow us on Twitter @HoustonTrash, download our app HTX Collects on Google Play or IOS Store to Never Miss an Update again!, email: swdworks@houstontx.gov or call 3-1-1, the City of Houston’s Customer Service Helpline.

About the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department
The Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) provides solid waste services to the citizens of Houston through the collection, disposal and recycling of discarded material in a manner that is safe, efficient, environmentally sound and cost-effective
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