Health
April 10, 2024
No, Texans Don’t Need to Panic About Bird Flu—Yet
The risk of the avian influenza sparking a pandemic remains low, but viruses evolve, and experts urge vigilance.
Pandemic
Health
November 20, 2023
The UT Professor War-Gaming the Next Pandemic
Mathematical epidemiologist Lauren Ancel Meyers knows you're sick of thinking about infectious disease threats. But that's her job.
Health
March 21, 2022
Your Pets Have Been Getting COVID-19 Too. Here’s Why That Matters.
A team of scientists at Texas A&M has been testing cats and dogs throughout the pandemic. The CDC is furry interested.
News & Politics
March 17, 2022
Seven Texas Teachers on the State of Education: “I’m Tired of Getting Punched.”
After two years of hell, Texas teachers are burned-out, angry, tired—and sounding the alarm about public education.
Style & Design
February 12, 2022
Across Texas, Love Conquers All at Smaller Weddings
The newly engaged can learn a lot from the microwedding trend of the past two years.
Tacos
February 1, 2022
Yes, Your Tacos Cost More. Restaurants Still Need You to Buy Them.
With inflation and supply issues plaguing the state’s taquerias and Mexican restaurants, they’re counting on loyal customers to see them through.
Film & TV
November 11, 2021
How the Pandemic Showed Me a Different Way to Watch Movies
Over one hundred movies later, a virtual movie club learned some surprising things about classic movies—and about friendship in dark times.
Food & Drink
September 20, 2021
Restaurant Workers Are Sick and Tired of Asking Politely
With delta infections surging and local governments unable to enforce mask regulations, restaurant personnel have become reluctant de facto enforcers.
Business
July 9, 2021
Remote Work in Downtown High-rises Is Killing the Businesses in Houston’s Tunnels
The city's subterranean shops are still feeling the pandemic’s toll.
Food & Drink
April 2, 2021
The Case of the Rising Crawfish Prices
This year’s mudbugs are indeed more expensive than usual—but maybe not for long.
Film & TV
March 24, 2021
A New Genre of Film Is Already Here: COVID Movies
The first COVID films are poised to address a pandemic that isn't through with us yet. Here's why these early, imperfect takes on the past year are still worth watching.
Politics & Policy
March 2, 2021
Greg Abbott Celebrated Texas Independence Day by Ending COVID-19 Restrictions
The vast majority of Texans have yet to receive a single dose of vaccine, but the state is done imposing public health measures.
Art
February 26, 2021
Sculpting Through the Pandemic
I shape clay not to hone the skill but to escape a day job that’s all about honing. Like the philosopher Laozi, I find the value of my handiwork comes from what’s not there.
Art
February 15, 2021
This Austin Artist Is Chronicling Pandemic Life With a Sketch a Day
Edward Carey’s whimsical black-and-white portraits mark milestones both personal and political.
Health
February 13, 2021
These Texans Started Their Own Testing Facilities as Coronavirus Screening Lagged
Widespread “assurance testing” could effectively end the pandemic before the vaccine does, but a lack of federal coordination has left some citizens to fill screening gaps.
Music
February 9, 2021
The 61-Year-Old Queen of Quarantine Karaoke Won’t Stop Singing From Her Living Room
Alba’s Billie Hill is a star in the 700,000-member-strong Facebook group dedicated to COVID-safe karaoke. Hill shares how filming herself singing has helped her—and her fans—survive the pandemic.
Health
February 1, 2021
Newly Vaccinated Boomers Are Ready to Get Down
While much of the under-65 population awaits their COVID-19 vaccines, the generation that invented sex, drugs, and rock and roll is about to run amok.
Arts & Entertainment
January 8, 2021
With Theaters Closed, Austin Thespians Embrace Audio Dramas, Drive-through Musicals, and Plays by Mail
The city’s resourceful artists are connecting with audiences everywhere but on stage.
Being Texan
January 1, 2021
“This Pandemic Isn’t Finished With Us Yet. Until Then, I’m Sleeping With One Eye Open.”
Chefs, musicians, gardeners, and one very enthusiastic librarian tell Texas Monthly about their New Year’s rituals and plans for 2021.
Travel & Outdoors
December 30, 2020
Houston Shut Down Its Biggest Biking Event for Pandemic Safety. The Indie Bike Scene Is Less Concerned.
Social cycling clubs have resumed their group rides, with tricked-out bikes and spotty mask-wearing.
Tacos
December 30, 2020
Taco News Roundup: Flaco Jiménez Launches a Food Truck Named, of Course, Tacos Jimenez
Plus, Texas tacos hit best of 2020 lists, Houston gets two new taco joints, and Gal Gadot tries Taco Bell.
News & Politics
December 29, 2020
The Year in Texas, in Photos: Scenes From the Pandemic, Protests, and Everyday Life in 2020
Powerful images that trace the arc of this truly historic year.
Politics & Policy
December 22, 2020
A Rural County Battling COVID-19 Faces a Difficult Obstacle: the Local Walmart
The retailer sits 200 yards from Deaf Smith County’s largest hospital. Local officials and public health experts worry that the store isn’t enforcing safety precautions.
Health
December 22, 2020
San Antonio’s Bus Drivers Stepped Up During the Pandemic
Watch the video to follow Bobby Richardson and others as they deliver food, and support, to the families along their routes.
Politics & Policy
December 22, 2020
“You See So Much in Our Field You Wouldn’t Believe”: San Antonio School Bus Drivers Have Become Relief Workers
Food insecurity has soared during the pandemic, but Alamo City bus drivers came up with a solution: get food to the hungry.
Arts & Entertainment
December 21, 2020
Chopin Versus the Coronavirus: Classical Music Is Helping Houston Patients Heal
Being hospitalized during the pandemic is lonely and dehumanizing. In live, virtual, one-on-one performances, Houston Symphony musicians give the sickest patients a few minutes of peace.
Libations
December 18, 2020
The Best Things We Learned to Do at Home in Texas This Year
Try your hand at gardening, stargazing, mixing the world’s easiest cocktail, and much more with this handy guide.
Politics & Policy
December 16, 2020
Bum Steer Awards 2021: The COVID Nineteen
The not-quite-twenty Texans who spectacularly disgraced themselves during the pandemic.
Best Thing in Texas
December 16, 2020
The Best Things in Texas 2021
Not everything that happened last year was terrible. Here are a few reasons we kept hope alive.
Being Texan
December 16, 2020
Texas Wedding Photographers Have Seen Some $#!+
They know what you did this summer.
Being Texan
December 8, 2020
How Zoom Spanish Classes Are Saving My Sanity During the Pandemic
When my Austin lessons went virtual, I discovered the joy—and distraction—in thinking about unfamiliar pronunciation, irregular verbs, and past tenses in these challenging times.
Politics & Policy
December 3, 2020
Cabo San Doofus: Why Did Steve Adler Think It Was a Good Idea to Go to Mexico?
Austin’s mayor, already a punching bag for his state’s powerful right wing, lectured his city’s residents to stay home to prevent the spread of COVID-19—while on a beach vacation.
Health
December 3, 2020
The COVID-19 Vaccines Are Coming. Is Texas Ready?
Escaping an unprecedented health crisis will require an unprecedented effort for the state’s chronically underfunded public health system.
Health
December 2, 2020
How a Llama and a University of Texas Lab Led to the Most Promising COVID-19 Treatment Yet
Researchers Daniel Wrapp and Jason McLellan owe a scientific honor they won this week to a Belgian camelid named Winter.
Health
December 2, 2020
This ER Doctor and Brownsville Native Is Advising Biden’s COVID-19 Response
Robert Rodriguez tended to patients in the Rio Grande Valley as cases surged last summer, and he’s taken that experience to serving on the president-elect’s pandemic task force.
News & Politics
November 25, 2020
For Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Social Distancing Is Not an Option
How Texas grandfamilies navigated the school reopening process during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health
November 17, 2020
COVID Is Everywhere, Even in “the Last COVID-Free County”
In Loving County, residents still feel the specter of the pandemic.
Health
October 30, 2020
During COVID, San Antonio’s Botánicas Saw an Uptick in Customers
Follow writer Peter Holley as he explores some of the city's traditional-medicine and faith-healing establishments.
Politics & Policy
October 12, 2020
Virtual or Viral? Candidates Face Tough Choices About How to Campaign During a Pandemic.
An all-virtual election bid might be the right thing to do. But will it cost some Democrats their races?
The Texanist
October 5, 2020
The Texanist: What Old Texas Games Can I Get My Screen-Addicted Kids to Play?
A Houston mom has had it with Minecraft.
Art
August 17, 2020
At UT and A&M, Visionary Takes on Yearbooks Celebrate the Beauty of Blackness
These distinct initiatives embody something I long wished for while studying at a predominantly white Texas university: a community of color connected through creativity.
Arts & Entertainment
July 23, 2020
How Alvin Ailey’s ‘Revelations’ Has Helped Me Find My Way Back to Texas
While quarantined and away from home, I keep coming back to the late Texan choreographer’s works—which are newly available to watch online.
The Texanist
July 2, 2020
The Texanist: Is It a Good Idea to Visit West Texas in the Middle of a Pandemic?
A Houston man would like to maintain an annual summer tradition.
Food & Drink
June 24, 2020
How Texas Restaurants Are Innovating to Survive the Pandemic
Chefs and owners have had to adapt quickly and nimbly, with takeout, meal kits, booze to go, and reconfigured dining spaces. Will it be enough to survive?
Health
June 12, 2020
How a Texas Expert on Swine Flu Had to Change Her Game
UT epidemiologist Lauren Ancel Meyers spent her career planning for infectious disease outbreaks. She has had to rapidly adapt to the very different challenges posed by the novel coronavirus.
The Texanist
May 16, 2020
The Texanist: Will the Pandemic Let Texas Be Texas Once Again?
A sad and anxious time may offer a silver lining.
News & Politics
April 15, 2020
Haunting Scenes of a Pandemic-Induced Standstill
Images from across the state capture our eerily historic moment.
Books
March 24, 2020
The Seminal Novel About the 1918 Flu Pandemic Was Written by a Texan
Katherine Anne Porter’s ‘Pale Horse, Pale Rider’ tells the tale of a pandemic she barely survived.
Music
March 12, 2020
So You Were Going to SXSW. Should You Come to Austin? What Should You Do When You Arrive?
These are tough questions to answer right now.
News & Politics
August 31, 2009
Widespread Panic
Despite its status as a public health emergency, is the swine flu just another flu?