/ A state public health lab in Austin in 2014. The new TEPHI agency will partner with Texas Department of State Health Services in future pandemic responses.
The COVID-19 pandemic caught many in Texas off guard. And poor understanding of the situation statewide, as well as piecemeal state, local and federal responses, had deadly consequences. So far, over 50,000 Texans have died from COVID-19 and over 2.5 million people in the state have contracted the illness.
But a new state agency, dubbed the “Texas CDC,” will aim to help Texas recover from the current pandemic, and be better prepared for the next one, says Eric Boerwinkle. He is dean of UT Health Science Center at Houston’s School of Public Health – the institution that will lead the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute, or TEPHI. Boerwinkle says UT Health is ideal because it has campuses across the state, meaning it has the potential to efficiently respond to a major public health emergency.
As a public service, public health stories are free to Central Texans during the coronavirus crisis. Please support our local journalists by subscribing today. Call 512-392-2458.
Customers formed a long line for groceries outside of Fiesta on Stassney Lane in Southeast Austin in February. A bill that the House advanced limits the governor s emergency powers during a pandemic. An amendment that would have banned statewide or local mask mandates narrowly failed.
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
Texas governor’s emergency powers during pandemics would be curbed under bill advanced in House Tue, 05/11/2021 - 5:55pm
CASSANDRA POLLOCK, THE TEXAS TRIBUNE
Customers formed a long line for groceries outside of Fiesta on Stassney Lane in Southeast Austin in February. A bill that the House advanced limits the governor s emergency powers during a pandemic. An amendment that would have banned statewide or local mask mandates narrowly failed. Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
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The Texas House has approved a sweeping bill that would reform the governorâs emergency powers during a pandemic and involve the Legislature during such instances.
House members voted 92-45 for House Bill 3 in a preliminary vote Monday. They gave formal approval Tuesday, sending the bill to the Senate for consideration.