Houston Matters
The week in politics (Sept. 27, 2023)
Posted on · On Wednesday's show: From the potential government shutdown to what’s next in the still-not-over Paxton saga, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Tag: COVID-19
Coronavirus
Free COVID tests by mail are back, starting Monday
Posted on · People will be able to go to COVIDTests.gov and get four free tests per household, starting next week. The Biden administration says it is trying to prepare for the fall and winter COVID season.
Houston Matters
Resurgence of NASA (Aug. 11, 2023)
Posted on · On Friday's show: Amid Artemis, the Webb telescope, and the recently announced NASA+ streaming service, has the space agency -- and by extension, Space City -- gotten its mojo back?
Town Square
Dr. Peter Hotez on the Latest Vaccine Research
Posted on · The internationally recognized physician and scientist shares his insight on vaccines, the latest research, and the anti-vaccine movement.
Coronavirus
Gov. Greg Abbott says he won’t renew his COVID-19 disaster declaration later this week
Posted on · Texas appears to be the last state with a broad pandemic declaration, which was begun in 2020, still in place.
Town Square
Ask the Doctor: Ozempic & Wegovy for Weight Loss, the Latest on COVID, a Possible Summer Mpox Resurgence, and More
Posted on · Medical experts weigh in on current medical news and what we should know as we head into summer.
Houston Matters
As Title 42 ends, Houston-area services for immigrants prepare for what’s next
Posted on · As the COVID-era immigration policy comes to an end, we ask an attorney, a charity worker, and an immigrant rights organization what to expect here.
Coronavirus
As WHO ends COVID-19 global emergency, Houston expert says virus is still around but numbers ‘dramatically’ down
Posted on · “This signals, the transition from a pandemic to an endemic, we just to have to learn to how to deal with it.”
Health & Science
WHO ends global health emergency declaration for COVID-19
Posted on · The World Health Organization today lifted its Public Health Emergency of International Concern for COVID-19. That declaration went into effect three years ago on Jan. 30, 2020.
Houston Matters
Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic in Houston as the national emergency ends
Posted on · Dr. David Persse, the city's chief medical officer, looks back at the last three years and discusses what still concerns him about COVID-19.
Houston Matters
COVID emergency declaration ends (April 12, 2023)
Posted on · On Wednesday's show: The City of Houston's chief medical officer explains what the declaration's end means for Houston and reflects on its impact.
Education
Most children suffering from depression in Texas remained untreated, new report says
Posted on · The report addresses food insecurity, lapses in child care and HISD's performance while providing recommendations to school districts and state lawmakers.
Houston Matters
Americans on Medicaid will have to sign up to renew their coverage — do they know that?
Posted on · A health economist explains why the change is happening now and what qualified Medicaid recipients should do about it.
Houston Matters
Restaurants and post-COVID expansions (March 23, 2023)
Posted on · On Thursday's show: Houston-area restaurants want to keep expanded outdoor seating established early during the COVID-19 pandemic. Houston City Council is considering it. We learn more and discuss the state of area restaurants.
Town Square
Three-Year Anniversary of the Pandemic; Plus, the Origins of COVID-19
Posted on · What we’ve learned about the virus and the efforts to roll out the vaccine against all obstacles.