Coronavirus in Texas

White Texans are being vaccinated at nearly twice the rate of Hispanic Texans and more than six times the rate of Black Texans, according to state data. Full Story 

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 

Austin and Travis County residents will be required to keep their masks on after a district judge delayed action on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request to end the mandates immediately. Full Story 

Experts say testing is still a crucial step as Texas continues to deal with the pandemic, but the public messaging has shifted away from testing and toward vaccinations. Full Story 

Some schools are letting students have a full week off. Others are spreading out free days to discourage travel. And some plan on-campus alternatives to leaving for vacation. Full Story 

Texas' mask mandate was lifted this week, and Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered that "no jurisdiction" can implement a local one if coronavirus hospitalizations don't meet a certain metric. Full Story 

A newly "open" state will likely look very different in rural towns and suburban neighborhoods compared to more populous areas and coronavirus hot spots, residents and business owners say. Full Story 

Before the Wednesday announcement, already between 10 million and 13 million people — more than one-third of Texas’ population — were eligible, according to state health officials. Full Story 

Austin and Travis County officials said they would continue to require masks even after Gov. Greg Abbott ended his statewide mandate. Full Story 

The bill, which also includes billions in aid for state and local governments, now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature. Full Story 

The Texas Senate and House have different rules for their members. But both require members to wear masks, though there are exceptions to when their faces must be covered. Full Story 

Texas’ statewide mask mandate has ended as of March 10. Businesses are also now allowed to operate at full capacity as long as the hospitals in their region haven’t been treating a large share of patients for COVID-19. Here’s a look at what the loosened restrictions mean for Texans. Full Story 

Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order effective Wednesday that says "no jurisdiction" can impose jail time or other penalties for not wearing a mask. Full Story 

State prisons shut down visitation last March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story 

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 

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 

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 

Abbott said it is the federal government’s responsibility to test the migrants. Full Story 

The Texas Supreme Court’s new order follows Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement that he will lift a statewide mask mandate and many other coronavirus restrictions next week. Full Story 

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