The latest health care news from The Texas Tribune.
Providers are not allowed, under state health guidelines, to require vaccine recipients to prove a medical condition that would qualify them because it could create barriers at a time when Texas is trying to vaccinate most of its 29 million residents. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to lift the statewide mask mandate has not come easily for many businesses that are navigating enforcement of mask rules while facing backlash. “It was just horrific,” said Monica Richards, co-owner of Picos. Full Story
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Monica Jimenez is still weathering the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic that started with her husband losing his oil field job. But the Brownfield native says she’s managed to find a few bright spots along the way. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story
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Abbott said it is the federal government’s responsibility to test the migrants. Full Story
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Under Gov. Greg Abbott’s order, universities are able to choose whether they will retain and enforce mask-wearing and other COVID-19 safety measures. UT-Austin, Baylor, Southern Methodist University, Rice and the Texas A&M System are among those that will still require face masks. Full Story
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One woman whose husband died said Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to end the mask mandate makes the convenience of not wearing a mask seem more important than loss of life. Abbott's spokesperson says he “joins all Texans in mourning every single life lost.” Full Story
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In Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio, libraries and convention centers won't allow visitors without face coverings. Full Story
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One adviser said he thinks it's too soon for the state to stop requiring masks in public. Full Story
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A day after Gov. Greg Abbott announced plans to fully reopen businesses and end the state’s mask mandate, small business owners across Texas found themselves struggling to decide what to do next. Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Patrick and Kate about Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to rescind statewide coronavirus orders and the fight over "The Eyes of Texas" at the University of Texas at Austin Full Story
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The president's comments came the day after Gov. Greg Abbott announced he was ending the statewide mask requirement and letting businesses reopen at 100% capacity. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to end his pandemic restrictions on masks and business capacity was a surprise — and a convenient change of subject for an executive under scrutiny for statewide blackouts last month. Full Story
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The former top White House physician defended his actions in a statement to The Texas Tribune, calling the Defense Department inspector general report "a political hit job because I stood with President Trump." Full Story
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Abbott’s order will leave it to business owners to decide whether to require customers wear masks inside their establishments. Some say they will keep coronavirus restrictions in place, but some business owners worry those decisions could anger potential customers. Full Story
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City and county leaders urged residents in their areas to still follow recommendations from health experts and officials that call for wearing face masks in public. Full Story
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Some variants of COVID-19 are more contagious and researchers believe they can reinfect people who already have gotten the virus. Doctors and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommend wearing masks. Full Story
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Texas voters also think the state spends too little on mental health, and public education, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Most Texas voters think vaccines are safe and effective, but a significant number say they won't line up for COVID-19 shots, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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The perceived risks of most activities haven't changed, but Texas voters are warming to the idea of sending their kids back to public schools, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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The surge of COVID-19 cases from October to January got a response from Texas voters: Their concerns about the spread of the virus increased, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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