A&M officials say they have the largest public lab capacity in the state, but the federal government won’t let them use it for humans.
Sami Sparber
Sami Sparber was a reporting fellow at The Texas Tribune from 2020 to 2021. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, she has been a political unit intern at NBC News and a reporting intern at the Houston Chronicle. She has also worked as managing editor and projects editor at The Daily Texan.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott says Harris County can’t impose fine over face mask order
County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s order, which carries a penalty of up to $1,000, drew harsh criticism from GOP officials and members of law enforcement.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas will not release information about coronavirus clusters at state-run homes for Texans with disabilities
Residents’ families, restricted from visiting in an effort to stop the spread, are pleading for information. Even they aren’t being told how severe the outbreaks are where their loved ones live.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Harris County latest to mandate face masks as criticism mounts that the requirement is “government overreach”
GOP officials called it “tyranny” and “government overreach,” taking issue in particular with the $1,000 fine associated with violating the mask requirement.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas banned abortion during the pandemic, but she got one anyway. How the legal battle is creating confusion for clinics
The courts volleyed back and forth this week, siding in turns with the state and then with abortion providers. But clinics across the state are responding inconsistently, with some shutting down altogether while they await a final answer.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
State-run homes for Texans with developmental disabilities aren’t ready for coronavirus outbreaks, some workers warn
Officials say they’re ramping up support by providing more testing across Texas and additional personnel for facilities where the virus has been detected. But people close to the facilities have reported that the state is responding too slowly to the emergency.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Federal judge temporarily blocks Texas’ ban on abortions during coronavirus pandemic
The court granted abortion providers’ motion to temporarily block the state from enforcing the order, which was set to expire April 21, as it relates to abortions.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Is Cabela’s an “essential” business? Texas counties differ on who should work during shelter in place
With Gov. Greg Abbott resisting calls for a statewide stay-at-home order, local officials are tasked with deciding which businesses and employees are essential. This strategy means the rules differ from county to county, and many employees are confused about why they’re being called in to work.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
How many coronavirus cases in Texas? Depends on who you ask
On Tuesday evening, Texas launched a new system for reporting cases of COVID-19. Officials said the new system will bring the state’s count closer to those of counties and other sources that were reporting hundreds more cases.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
As coronavirus sparks rumors, Houston officials dispel social media myth of a citywide lockdown
Officials say they’re investigating whoever is behind the misinformation campaign, which they say only creates anxiety and fear.