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Companies are preparing for level 4 of the COVID-19 protocols
For local health officials, the increase in cases related to the highly contagious Delta variant is expected to mean an increase in COVID-19 logs.
Austin, Texas – At first glance it was a typical Austin summer day, but the hustle and bustle of the city wasn’t all fun and games.
A surge in COVID-19 cases was on the rise and it was difficult to ignore even for the average person.
“Actually my sister who is in Arkansas has COVID right now, she and her husband so I think that was a big wake up call, even if you loosen up with the mask, only when you see the cases increase does it make you very careful, “said Kathleen Shaw.
For local health authorities, the increase in cases related to the highly contagious Delta variant is likely to mean even more: an increase in COVID-19 logs from level 3 recommendations to level 4.
“I hate that we’re talking about the virus. I hate that we turn our eyes to the dashboard to see what happens every day hospitals deal with a virus that is being done to us, “said Mayor Steve Adler.
For fully vaccinated people like Deonta Nathan, the change means his next gym workout could be scaled down and done in a mask. “It worked for half a year, so yes, I think so. I just had to breathe fresh air again, so yeah, a bit disappointed, but whatever is safest, ”said Nathan.
For the fully vaccinated, Level 4 recommendations require the use of a mask at outdoor and indoor events, while dining and shopping, and even at private gatherings. Those who are partially vaccinated or have not received a vaccination are advised to stay home, not travel, and only go for important things like grocery shopping.
This boot up doesn’t require a shutdown, but several business owners who have spoken to FOX 7 say it may require a familiar pivot point.
“I refuse to panic, I don’t panic at all,” said Dimple Hegger, who owns a small coffee shop with her husband in northwest Austin.
Hegger says her recipe for the final shutdown was to bake cakes and switch from food to food. “So I think we can survive, as far as we can, because he goes to all the car dealerships, he delivers the food and he delivered the cakes and all the goods. So that’s what kept us going when it first happened.” said Hegger.
Officials concerned about the Delta variant ahead of the new school year
With school starting in a few weeks, local health officials say they are concerned about how the transmission rate might carry over to a school setting. John Krinjak explains.
For retailers, losing a block of customers, people who stay away because they are not vaccinated, could potentially be a greater success. Jewelry store managers say they have survived so far by attracting people online.
“We couple that with private viewing appointments so things are better planned and we can move between customers,” said Sirandyna Wayne.
“We know the most important thing is to get vaccinated. The second most important thing is to wear a mask. We also need to protect the community and that means those of us who have been vaccinated must do our part now.” stop the spread of this virus now that the Delta Variant is with us, “said Mayor Adler.
“We just thought it would be in the best interests of all of our customers and employees to ask for masks again,” said John T. Kunz, the owner and president of Waterloo Records on Lamar.
Travis County asks everyone, vaccinated or not, to wear masks
As John Krinjak explains, experts will say that as more people get the injection, it will help new varieties take hold in our area. For more information on where and how to get vaccinated, visit austintexas.gov/covid19 or call 311.
Kunz says his business has just started masking all customers again due to the surge in COVID cases.
“I just thought that once we were vaccinated we were all safe to find out that it wasn’t necessarily and I didn’t want any of my staff or my vaccinated clients to walk away from these events and find out had Covid on the street “said Kunz.
He says few customers have complained so far.
“There wasn’t nearly as much setback as I thought. In fact, a lot of people said thank you,” said Kunz
As part of the jump in level 4, health authorities also require all children from the age of two to wear a mask.
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OTHER HEADINGS:
What Are Austin-Travis County’s Risk-Based COVID-19 Guidelines?
Breakthrough cases of COVID-19 vaccines are emerging in central Texas
Austin-Travis County has three COVID-19 risk guidelines
Travis County asks everyone, vaccinated or not, to wear masks
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