Democratic lawmakers wanted to replace a defunded agency by creating a new office that would look at health inequities across the state. But after Republicans pulled it into ongoing debates about transgender rights and critical race theory, the bill died in the Senate.
Texas legislative session, health experts urge lawmakers to prepare for the next pandemic
Shawn Mulcahy, The Texas Tribune
April 29, 2021
FacebookTwitterEmail
Eunice Russ places a case of water into the back of a truck during a Neighborhood Super Site food distribution by the Houston Food Bank at NRG Stadium Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 in Houston. Houston Food Bank volunteers distributed food to several thousand Houstonians in need following the severe winter storm that knocked power and water out throughout the area.Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer
About a year ago, as a once-in-a-century public health crisis was unraveling across the world, it was abundantly clear how unprepared Texas was for the pandemic.
Shawn Mulcahy, The Texas Tribune
April 29, 2021
FacebookTwitterEmail
FILE PHOTO - A nurse passes a blood sample of a COVID-19 patient to another nurse for testing in the ER at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital in the Medical Center last July. Experts say lawmakers are running out of time to pass meaningful legislation that would help the state survive the next pandemic.Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News
About a year ago, as a once-in-a-century public health crisis was unraveling across the world, it was abundantly clear how unprepared Texas was for the pandemic.
An aging data collection system within the Texas Department of State Health Services made it difficult for health officials to fully assess the impact of COVID-19, which the state s official numbers say has left nearly 50,000 people dead. Protective gear and COVID-19 tests were in short supply, leaving health care providers and governments scrambling to find supplies. Waves of infection would soon overwhelm entire hospit
Lack of vaccine data raises concerns of racial inequity
Cayla Harris, San Antonio Express-News
Feb. 1, 2021
FacebookTwitterEmail
1of3
Nurse Assistant Claudia Beltran administers the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for Dental Hygienist Samantha Hawkins, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, at TAMIU during the COVID-19 Vaccine Drive Thru.Danny Zaragoza, Staff Photographer / Laredo Morning TimesShow MoreShow Less
2of3
Paramedic David Esparza helps administer the Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, during the COVID-19 Vaccine Drive Thru for Healthcare Workers at TAMIU.Danny Zaragoza, Staff Photographer / Laredo Morning TimesShow MoreShow Less
3of3
AUSTIN At the onset of the pandemic and again with the vaccine rollout, Texas officials have struggled to gather data critical to protecting Black and Hispanic Texans who are among those at higher risk of serious complications from COVID-19.
Vaccine data troubles raise equity concerns for Black, Latino Texans
FacebookTwitterEmail
1of3
Barbara Washington, 65, receives a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Friday in an Alamodome drive-thru line.Photos by Jessica Phelps / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less
2of3
Medical staff welcome motorists at the COVID-19 vaccination drive through at Delmar Stadium on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, in Houston. The site is operated in a partnership between the city and United Memorial Medical Center.Godofredo A. Vásquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less
3of3
Recently vaccinated people wait for 15 minutes after getting the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at HOPE Clinic in Houston on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021.Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less