The first person to test positive for Ebola on U.S. soil remains at a Dallas hospital today. Health officials say the patient came to Texas from Liberia earlier this month. He sought care last Friday, and has been hospitalized in isolation since the weekend.
On this edition of Houston Matters, we talk with Houston Public Media health and science reporter Carrie Feibel about this first confirmed case of Ebola diagnosed in the United States, what health officials in Dallas and at the CDC are saying about efforts to contain it, and what steps health officials here in Houston are taking to prepare for a local case of Ebola, if that should occur. (State officials stress no other cases are suspected in Texas).
Also this hour: Urban theorist Joel Kotkin has been researching how the Houston metropolitan area represents what he calls "opportunity urbanism" – basically, the idea that there's an environment – political, social, and economic – that can allow both individuals and businesses to pursue their aspirations without infringing on one another.
Kotkin thinks Houston is not only one of these "opportunity cities" – but may well more closely reflect his idea than any other city in the country. Kotkin will speak at an event Oct. 9 organized by the Greater Houston Partnership, and he joins us to discuss his research findings and what he believes makes Houston the "opportunity city.”
Then: Our gaggle of foodies gets together to discuss some of their favorite out-of-the-way hole-in-the-wall hangouts, in the latest installment of The Full Menu.
And: Houston Matters’ Maggie Martin sits down with Gregory Boyd, the Alley Theatre’s Artistic Director, to learn about an upcoming stage production he’s directing of Dracula.
