COVID-19 arrived in 2020 and raged across the state, killing thousands of Texans in its path. Government leaders instituted historic lockdowns and mandates to rein in the spread of infection. Those measures worked to save the lives of countless Texans, but they also transformed the political identity of the state. Today, COVID's legacy prioritizes personal freedom above science and government intervention.
The measles outbreak in rural Texas has exposed how hospital buildings are ill-equipped. Meanwhile, long distances between providers makes testing people and transporting samples difficult. Full Story
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In rural West Texas, measles has sickened nearly 150 people, most of them unvaccinated. A school-age child has died. The virus is spreading among Gaines County’s Mennonite community, where government mandates are not trusted. Full Story
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Declining vaccination rates, decreasing trust in government and a political unwillingness to endorse vaccines is shaping Texas’ measles response. Full Story
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