Cameron Hubbard

No face-to-face classes or labs are being conducted at Texas State now to minimize the chances of spreading the conoravirus, but the university remains open with a skeletal crew of office and custodial staff. Bobcat Update's Cameron Hubbard reports on  policy changes affecting personnel while responding to the threat posed by COVID-19.

​Departments on campus are giving staff members the option to come into work two days through the week and work remotely for the other three days. Staff members are focusing on critical functions in the workplace instead of carrying business as usual.

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The Stay-at-Home/Work-Safe order is effective through at least May 30th.

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Texas State employees with dependents at home are eligible for extended paid leave to care for them during the crisis. Policies are described on the university's web site, which has links to pertinent information. For Bobcat Update, I'm Cameron Hubbard.

Hector Montemayor-Perez

Presidio, Texas, is used to being isolated from the rest of the world. Although the Coronavirus' reach hasn't made it through these arid mountains, this border town is remaining vigilant in the fight against COVID-19.

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Mayor John Ferguson says Presidio residents are taking precautions to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The mayor says businesses in town have stepped up to keep the community safe.

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Most who make the long drive to this border town come to visit family. Texas State sophomore Amber Armendariz has stayed in town since spring break. Amber says she feels safer in Presidio.

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The fight against COVID-19 is far from over. Mayor Ferguson says it remains a possibility that someone in town could be tested positive for the disease. In the meantime, the community will do what it can to keep everyone safe.

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Mikal Henley

The death toll caused by COVID-19 continues to rise in Texas and nationwide. Most hospitals and clinics in Dallas are hot zones. Bobcat Update's Mikal Henley has the story.

Nurses and doctors are having to be more cautious than usual. This is a critical time in their lives and the lives of their patients.

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Since the outbreak of the corona-virus, healthcare providers have changed their everyday methods and practices to deliver care to vulnerable populations.

SB: (Danial Savantez, Dir. of Cardiopulmonary Medicine)

Administrators of healthcare organizations are facing unprecedented challenges to make sure their patients and staff stay safe. Many frontline personnel are in potential danger when they respond to 9-1-1 calls, because the COVID-19 virus may be lurking.

SB:(Deshaun Wyatt, Dallas EMS)

To minimize your own risks, please remember to heed the warnings of healthcare officials -- stay at home, maintain social distance and wash your hands frequently. For Bobcat Update, I'm Mikal Henley.

Krista Andrews

During the coronavirus pandemic, some pharmacies in Texas are experiencing certain drug shortages. Bobcat Update's Krista Andrews has the story.

President Trump has advocated use of hydroxychloroquine, a drug traditionally used to treat malaria and lupus, as a treatment option for COVID-19 patients. However, according to the Food and Drug Administration, the drug is now in short supply and unproven as an effective treatment for COVID-19. Pharmacist Dustin Andrews says the Texas Board of Pharmacy has issued procedures to help prevent hydroxychloroquine shortages in the state.

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Despite the new guidelines, some worry that the president's comments could still affect the drug's availability. Texas State Professor Cassandra LeClair is diagnosed with lupus and has been prescribed hydroxychloroquine since 2011.

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To help meet the increased demand for the drug, the F-D-A has issued an emergency use authorization allowing states to distribute (m) millions of hydroxychloroquine stockpiled from pharmaceutical companies. For Bobcat Update, I'm Krista Andrews.

Sammy Turner

Teachers across the nation have been forced to transition to online teaching as the coronavirus sweeps the nation. Bobcat Update's Sammy Turner has the story.

Switching to online teaching presents teachers with unique challenges. Third-grade teacher Jennifer Turner says one of the biggest struggles is making sure students have access to technology.

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Turner says not being around her students has taken a toll on her emotionally.

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Turner says that a lot of what is being done in her school district to help students retain what they've already learned.

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Despite the situation, Turner remains hopeful.

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Some school districts still plan to reopen to finish the school year in person, but it remains uncertain whether that will be possible. For Bobcat Update, I'm Sammy Turner.

Jake Norrie

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the United States, Texas State students have adapted to learning from afar. One student is taking the term "far" to a whole new level. Bobcat Update's Jake Norrie traveled to San Francisco for spring break, and he's still there. Jake files this report from the West Coast.

The usual bustling streets of downtown San Francisco have gone silent as millions in the metropolitan area adhere to shelter-in-place orders. These orders, along with social-distancing guidelines, were implemented to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Being in such a hotspot for the virus hasn't been easy, San Francisco resident Joey Vaughan says routine things -- like going to the grocery store or getting prescriptions -- are some of the hardest tasks.

[SB]: (Joey Vaughan, Coping With COVID-19)

Hair-Club Area Manager Mary Neithercutt has a job that depends on person-to-person contact, so she definitely feels the impact of working remotely.

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[Stand Up]: (Jake Norrie, Bobcat Update) What started out as a normal spring break trip to San Francisco, California turned into a near two-month "shelter in place" period. Now, cooped up inside an apartment with 3 others, we live day by day hoping these precautionary-measures pay off and I can eventually come back to the Lone Star State. For Bobcat Update I'm Jake Norrie.

Ethan Hunt

Seniors will be graduating into an unpredictable, limited job field after graduation this year. Ethan Hunt has the story:

Graduating from college under normal circumstances can be a particularly stressful time for seniors. And with the arrival of Covid-19, seniors are seeing their once sure-fire opportunities vanish. Senior Justin Manor says he's concerned about the loss of opportunities.

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College students now have to compete in a market filled with many more experienced professionals who are unemployed as well. Many feel discouraged.

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With no end to COVID-19 in sight, students are left to wonder if they'll have a chance to work after graduation. For Bobcat Update I'm Ethan Hunt.

Vanity Johnson

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, May's commencement ceremony at Texas State has been rescheduled to take place August 6th and 8th to coincide with summer commencement. Vanity Johnson has the story.

Many students are affected by the postponement. Senior Carl Beard says his plans are being changed.

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While some students struggle to adapt to the changes, they feel empathy for first-generation students who want to share the milestone.

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Commencement announcer Dan Schumacher says the university had to make the difficult decision to reschedule the May commencement.

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Students who had planned move to other states or countries after graduation may face a difficult decision of whether to return and walk the stage this August. For Bobcat Update, I'm Vanity Johnson.

Melvin Ayala

Many Texas State students are choosing San Marcos for their home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and, in a lot of instances, that means dealing with roommates and hoping everyone is being cautious to avoid contracting the virus. Bobcat Update's Melvin Ayala (EYE-YA-LA) has the story.

Although Texas State University is no longer housing students, many are living with roommates in various apartment complexes in San Marcos. One reason for students to stay in the city is to keep their jobs especially during a time when unemployment is increasing. Others have decided staying in San Marcos is safer than going anywhere else. Catherine McKinney has two roommates, and they're all trying to maintain a clean and safe living environment..

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Roommates continue to social distance -- EVEN when they're home. Staying in their rooms and taking turns in using the kitchen are ways students keep a safe living environment.

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Student resident Celeste Edmonson and her roommate limit the time away from their apartment. The main reason they ever go out is for work. She says staying home most of the time is a big change.

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Edmonson says it's important to have roommates who are all conscientious about being safe. For Bobcat Update, I'm Melvin Ayala.

Lessly Lopez

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in countless public and social events being canceled. Normal routines are on hold for the foreseeable future, including eating out, going to the gym and even maintaining personal relationships. Bobcat Update's Lessly Lopez tells us how social distancing affects the dating scene..

For many students, the chances of meeting someone new during this crisis are very low. Texas State student Genesis Sandoval says dating has definitely become a challenge for her.

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For others, maintaining a long distance relationship is nothing new.

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While not hopeless, relationships now require much more patience and effort during our time in self-isolation. For Bobcat Update, I'm Lessly Lopez.

Mercedes Atkinson

Gyms across Texas are closed now due to the coronavirus pandemic, which means a lot of people are finding other ways to stay fit. Bobcat Update's Mercedes Atkinson has the story.

In an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott last month signed an executive order that closed all non-essential businesses. The order includes many restaurants, retail stores, and gyms. Without access to gyms, staying fit is more of a challenge. Andrea Garza says she set aside a specific area for her workout space, and it has helped keep her motivated.

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Social media specialist Alix Aspe says it's important to take advantage of online tools during this time.

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Some Texas parks remain open to the public for those who want to exercise, AS LONG AS social distancing guidelines are followed.

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It remains uncertain when gyms will be allowed to reopen. For Bobcat Update, I'm Mercedes Atkinson.

Christian Njus

Due to the corona virus outbreak, many local and chain restaurants have had to close their inside dining areas to prevent the spread of the disease. Now the only way to get food from most restaurants is either from delivery service apps or take out.. Bobcat Update's Christian Njus looks at how restaurants are conducting business these days:

Texas State student and to-go waitress Alanna Bouvier says there are several new precautions her workplace enforces to keep both the food and the customers safe:

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Bouvier says restaurants have had an increase in to-go and curbside orders since they stopped serving meals in their dining areas.

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Economists are forecasting that the American restaurant industry could lose 225 billion dollars in revenue from closures caused by the coronavirus outbreak. For Bobcat Update, I'm Christian Njus.

Pearce O'Neal

While the coronavirus pandemic is forcing many aspects of life to be put on hold, the real estate market in Texas continues on. Realtors are adjusting to the situation and implementing social distancing practices. Bobcat Update's Pearce O'Neal has the story.

After being declared essential workers, realtors are continuing to work with clients in order to assist with the buying and selling of houses. However, in order to practice safe social distancing, most real estate offices have been closed to the public, which means business must be conducted remotely. Realtor Tyler Hindmarsh says virtual tours are the preferred method, but in-person showings are allowed under certain circumstances and after precautions are taken.

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With face-to-face meetings being limited, realtors are forced to make use of different online services. Andrea O'Neal says she is making her own videos from home and using social media to keep in touch with her clients.

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Despite the safety concern associated with the coronavirus, realtors say they haven't noticed a huge decline in sales. With historically low interest rates, people are still buying and selling. For Bobcat Update, I'm Pearce O'Neal.

Emily Martin

The death toll from COVID-19 is still climbing, and many San Martians are worried about how the virus will affect them. Bobcat Update's Emily Martin sat down with a woman who has heightened concerns because she has a pre-existing condition -- an auto-immune disease.

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Texas State University student Madison Cooper has been living with rheumatoid arthritis since 2016.

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After the F-D-A advised that anti-inflammatory drugs could worsen the coronavirus, Cooper's doctors told her to stop taking them.

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Her doctors even warned her that masks won't do her any good.

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Cooper says that if she wants help, she has to reach out for it because no one has tried to reach out to her.

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Cooper says she will continue to stay inside and rely on the help of others to get the items she needs. For Bobcat Update, I'm Emily Martin.

Arlett Ramirez

Texas public schools are shut down now due to the coronavirus. That means teachers are now conducting class online and some are even teaching their own children at home. Bobcat Update's Arlett Ramirez tells us more.

All New Braunfels I-S-D students -- from kindergarten to 12th grade -- have district-issued i-Pads they can use to connect with their teachers as well as complete their assignments. Amber Ramirez is a teacher in the system. She now meets online with her sixth-grade students and is also home-schooling her own children.

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Her oldest child, Tess, a kindergartner, is using online platforms and resources that Ramirez has found.

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Ramirez says with students not being able to attend class, it's easy for them to forget about the material they have learned during the school year.

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Schools across Texas are expected to stay closed until at least May 4th. For Bobcat Update, I'm Arlett Ramirez.

Andrew Zimmel

With COVID-19 placing much of the country in a shelter-in-place mode, there's concern that apartment complexes will have a hard time finding tenants. Bobcat Update's Andrew Zimmel has the story.
 
Texas State expects an enrollment drop in the months ahead as potential students decide to postpone their college plans. If that happens, apartment complexes in San Marcos will also see fewer units occupied in the fall. Many apartment locators are feeling it, too.
 
SB: Santiago Guardiola 
Apartment Pro Representative
 
Many leases begin in August and go until the following July, but the coronavirus may influence some students to stay at home with their parents and save money.
 
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Texas State Student
 
For this story, I reached out to many of the apartment complexes in the San Marcos area with all declining to comment, all waiting for this leasing cycle to be up. If COVID-19 stretches into the fall, there could be major problems for complexes in San Marcos. For Bobcat Update, I'm Andrew Zimmel

Constunce Brantley

San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District is working with parents to help educate their students. With all public schools teaching classes remotely, some instructors have discovered the technology can be difficult. Bobcat Update's Constunce Brantley has the story:

The school system has decided to keep all of its schools closed until at least early May.  DeZavala second grade teacher Lauren Zuniga says she's concerned that some of her students might not be able to advance to the third grade at the end of the school year.

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Zuniga also says that she has been teaching parents as well as the students.

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Student Teacher Anise Johnson says that COVID-19 has stopped her from getting hands-on experience with her student teaching.

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Sami Dugdale

Students across the nation are now taking their classes online for the rest of the semester because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and student workers at Texas State find themselves having to beat a new learning curve. Bobcat Update's Sami Dugdale has the story.

On March 19th, the university sent a campus-wide email announcing that classes would be moved to remote delivery following spring break. This meant a quick transition for student workers who rely on campus resources to do their jobs. Texas State Supplemental Instructor Parker Brockman says he's working longer hours than before but is confident in his ability to teach the rest of the semester.

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Zoom is the video conferencing website that the university has chosen to deliver classes online. Student workers, such as supplemental instructors and teaching assistants, are expected to become well acquainted with Zoom's features. Supplemental Instructor Elizabeth Holley says that having her sessions on Zoom is a different approach, but she appreciates the technology.

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Remote delivery for Texas State courses has now been extended through Summer I session. For Bobcat Update, I'm Sami Dugdale.

Ryan Huntington

With the corona virus shutting down music venues and limiting social gatherings, performing artists are facing financial hardships and turning to new avenues to share their music. Bobcat Update's Ryan Huntington has the story

As the live music capital of the world, Austin has been hit particularly hard by the shelter in-place ordinance. Music venues and bars have boarded up their windows with no clear time frame of when they will be able to reopen.

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Although these times have been difficult for musicians, many performing artists have turned to digital platforms to share their music. From big name D-Js' to local acts, live streaming has become the new medium for artists to connect with their audiences.

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If you want to help support local artists, you can donate directly through live streaming services like twitch or you can go to www.austincf.org. For Bobcat Update, I'm Ryan Huntington.

Logan McIlveen

Many Texas State students enjoy outdoor recreation, and there's plenty to be found in Central Texas. Bobcat Update's Logan McIlveen tells us how recreational activities on the river can turn to disaster when people are reckless.

For years, the San Marcos River has been a huge attraction for the city, bringing in both tourists and residents alike. However, some may overlook the potential dangers that come from the river itself. Texas State student Kursten Cutkelvin, who frequently goes to the river, says it can be dangerous to some people new to the river.
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San Marcos Area Recovery Team Diver Dan Huebner says he’s more concerned about drownings caused by drug and alcohol consumption.
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For more information on the San Marcos Area Recovery team, go to smartdivers.com. For Bobcat Update, I’m Logan McIlveen.