In the year since the pandemic hit Texas, more than 45,000 people in the state have lost their lives. While the governor has lifted the statewide mask mandate, we still have a long way to go before we return to “normal.” A small portion of the state has been vaccinated and many businesses are still requiring masks as the CDC and health experts recommend Texans continue using safety precautions. Meanwhile, health care workers remain exhausted after hospitals were overwhelmed by patients throughout the year, and many Texans who lost their businesses or jobs are still suffering economically. Read our coverage here on how the coronavirus has changed how we live in the last 12 months.
This timeline tracks COVID-19’s rampage through Texas over the last year: the growing death toll, the policy decisions made in response to the pandemic that often influenced its course, and the stories of some of the Texans claimed by the virus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/32f01f56b68d5f3319472e7c42803b20/share-art-one-year-covid.jpg)
The Texas Education Agency cited COVID-19’s disproportionate effect on communities of color as reason for lower engagement and attendance rates among students of color. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/084dc0a32a707425eb5c9413e7a91b54/Hunter%20-%20Remote%20Learning%20AI%20TT%2013.jpg)
The state's unemployment agency is ending that exemption June 26, when out-of-work Texans will also stop receiving an extra $300 in federal jobless benefits. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/26c25bf5be80b17d02e97b84d6a5c34d/Threadgills%20COVID%2019%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
Nearly 9,000 Texas nursing home residents have died of COVID-19. This is what the last year of chaos and isolation was like for nursing homes residents and the employees who care for them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4b84002233fc494a65eb337918001667/Uvalde%20Nursing%20Home%20COVID%20MG%20TT%2041.jpg)
Although the iconic theater chain is facing bankruptcy, League is optimistic about the future of his Texas-born business. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6ca97571ac15bb9539dc003723a8b32a/TheBriefPodcast%20Alamo%20Drafthouse.jpg)
Early on, coronavirus transmission exploded at dialysis clinics, especially in the Rio Grande Valley. It has subsided some since, but many patients have no choice but to show up at clinics for the life-sustaining treatments. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6dec01681d1d1cf17102a4a27307384b/Michelle%20Adams-Walton%20MM%20TT%2001.jpg)
Agency data shows officers are finding just as many drugs — and writing up even more prisoners for having them — despite the restrictions. Contraband is most often brought in by staff, according to prisoners and employees. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8acfbded6bf2cf5379f4a9629a100148/Marshall%20Texas%20Contraband%20TT.jpg)
Nancy Gallegos says she’s endured debilitating job stress, but the San Antonio nurse has managed to find a few silver linings during the pandemic. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6ec5f5eef1a0c5c02e2998d95db9682c/Weekend%20Brief%2032621%20TT.jpg)
Some businesses are already seeing customers return. But the numbers of people seeking unemployment aid surged in recent weeks to levels not seen since July. Many of them still face problems getting through to the Texas Workforce Commission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9b13ee5dc85abff5f884817432c1343f/Mask%20Lift%20Night%20Life%20EL%20TT%2010)
For many residents, birthday parties and holiday celebrations took place largely through windows and over video calls. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9a9343b78156f9f6f80183509b9f4fee/ATX%20Retirement%20Homes%20AG%20TT%2004.jpg)
Ricardo Ramos, Ramon Fuentes III and Andres Arguelles were all 45. Loving husbands. Strangers who died with the coronavirus in neighboring South Texas cities. They left behind young widows who found each other in Facebook groups and bonded over the similarities in their stories. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/72296cbf53e4ec7e82cea1c7cc906141/COVID%20Widows%20Group%20JG%20TT%2007.jpg)
In cities with diverse populations, people of Asian descent say they continue to be encouraged to help their fellow Texans weather the health crisis. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f720c51b727f7850db6e8caa2ddbf80e/TheBriefPodcast_March%2013%202.jpg)