National news outlets take note of the "dire" COVID situation in Austin, including the New York Times, CBS News, and The Guardian. We've now exceeded the 7-day average metrics in both new COVID hospitalizations and new cases of the peak of the first spike last summer, and set a new low for ICU availability - 6 beds for the entire metro - while younger people and pregnant women account for ever greater severe cases. A source at UT Dell Medical School says unity and collective action are the only way out. Another national source, the New York Post, notes that Austin has seen a recent uptick in Hollywood stars moving in. Austin PD is now allowed to arrest non-compliant illegal public campers, while resources remain insufficient to accommodate all of them. A second special session of the Texas Legislature started Saturday, still without a quorum, though rumours circulate that some Democrats may return this week. Another drowning at Lake Travis over the weekend, while a second person remains missing. New plans for a resurrection of The Backyard At Bee Cave surface. Elon Musk's The Boring Company are working on giant transit tunnels to snake across (and under) eastern Travis County. Bunkhouse Group acquires the Carpenter Hotel. And hot weather this week may give way to cooler and wetter weather next weekend.
