Coronavirus in Austin: Lack of social distancing leads city to close Barking Springs

News and updates from Austin's news in your inbox Email not displaying correctly? [View Online]( [Statesman]( MORNING HEADLINES Start your day with a fresh roundup of news, features and commentary. Saturday's Top Story [Coronavirus in Austin: Lack of social distancing leads city to close Barking Springs]( [Coronavirus in Austin: Lack of social distancing leads city to close Barking Springs]( Barking Springs, the area below the dam at Barton Springs Pool, has been closed because “park users were gathering in groups and not allowing enough physical distance to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Austin park officials said Friday in a tweet. [Read More »]( Local News [Forecast: Rainy, cool Saturday in Austin]( [Forecast: Rainy, cool Saturday in Austin]( Austin area residents can expect yet another full day of showers and isolated thunderstorms Saturday, along with below-average temperatures and the [Read More »]( [Power Poll: Adler s response to pandemic rates positively, Trump s seen negatively]( [Power Poll: Adler’s response to pandemic rates positively, Trump’s seen negatively]( In a new Statesman Power Poll, Austin Mayor Steve Adler’s handling of the growing coronavirus pandemic is being rated positively by Austin-area civic leaders, with most respondents rating his response as good or very good. [Read More »]( [Fact-check: Is it safe to order takeout during coronavirus outbreak?]( [Fact-check: Is it safe to order takeout during coronavirus outbreak?]( This piece was originally published on PolitiFact.com on April 1, 2020.Restaurant dining rooms across the U.S. are closed due to COVID-19, but many are offering more takeout and delivery service than ever before. [Read More »]( [Pflugerville ISD issues laptops to students amid coronavirus outbreak]( [Pflugerville ISD issues laptops to students amid coronavirus outbreak]( The Pflugerville school district is handing out nearly 1,800 laptops to students who need them after launching an at-home learning program this week. [Read More »]( [Austin school district campuses to remain shuttered indefinitely]( [Austin school district campuses to remain shuttered indefinitely]( All 129 campus buildings of the Austin school district will remain closed for an indefinite period of time to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Superintendent Paul Cruz announced Friday. [Read More »]( [Pflugerville-based 3D-printing company creating masks for first responders]( [Pflugerville-based 3D-printing company creating masks for first responders]( A Pflugerville-based 3D-printing company plans to provide thousands of reusable protective masks for first responders and area workers to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. [Read More »]( [Breaking up harder to do with coronavirus, divorce experts say]( [Breaking up harder to do with coronavirus, divorce experts say]( The coronavirus shutdown has led to more family time, which might be welcomed by couples who get along but feel like prison to those whose differences have been aggravated by unavoidable around-the-clock interaction. [Read More »]( [Amid pandemic, a rush for wills and end-of-life documents]( [Amid pandemic, a rush for wills and end-of-life documents]( Prasad Nalluri is a healthy husband, doting father and global businessman. He has bright plans for his life ahead. [Read More »]( Business [Dell foundation pledges $100 million to coronavirus fight]( [Dell foundation pledges $100 million to coronavirus fight]( Dell Technologies billionaire founder Michael Dell said Friday that the charitable foundation he and his wife created will donate $100 million to to initiatives and projects fighting the spread of the coronavirus. [Read More »]( [Lyft offers free scooter rides to workers fighting coronavirus]( [Lyft offers free scooter rides to workers fighting coronavirus]( Rideshare company Lyft is offering medical workers and first responders free scooter rides during the coronavirus pandemic. [Read More »]( [An Austin master inventor spreads her knowledge]( [An Austin master inventor spreads her knowledge]( IBM master inventor Rhonda Childress isn’t the type of person who sits under an apple tree and waits for the next big idea to fall on her head. [Read More »]( Sports [Southwest Preparatory Conference cancels rest of sports season]( [Southwest Preparatory Conference cancels rest of sports season]( The high school sports season suffered its first outright cancellation Friday, when the Southwest Preparatory Conference announced the end of its spring season and spring championships because of the coronavirus pandemic. [Read More »]( [Golden: A trip down the 2006 Rose Bowl memory lane never gets old for Texas fans]( [Golden: A trip down the 2006 Rose Bowl memory lane never gets old for Texas fans]( ESPN went straight for the heart strings this week and America was more than happy to retake a much-traveled trip down memory lane. [Read More »]( [While adjusting to life during coronavirus pandemic, Gerald McCoy extremely excited for new challenge with Dallas Cowboys]( [While adjusting to life during coronavirus pandemic, Gerald McCoy ‘extremely excited’ for new challenge with Dallas Cowboys]( Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was having a “busy day” on Thursday. [Read More »]( [New Tour schedule aims to play Masters in November, keep Ryder Cup in 2020]( [New Tour schedule aims to play Masters in November, keep Ryder Cup in 2020]( After weeks of daily conference calls in a frantic bid to rescue a season crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic, golf’s governing bodies are close to unveiling a new schedule that would see at least three major championships — including the Masters in November — and the Ryder Cup contested this year. [Read More »]( [Small schools prepare to deal with NCAA payout reductions]( [Small schools prepare to deal with NCAA payout reductions]( When NCAA officials canceled the big-money men’s basketball tournament in response to the coronavirus outbreak and slashed the upcoming annual revenue distribution to its members, the spotlight shined largely on the impact to high-profile schools in power-five conferences. [Read More »]( Opinion [Castillo: Those attacks on journalists? They re attacks on democracy.]( [Castillo: Those attacks on journalists? They’re attacks on democracy.]( You can say one thing about President Donald Trump: He sure has evolved on the coronavirus danger. "We have it totally under control,” he said on Jan. 22. [Read More »]( [Opinion: Medicaid change would cripple Texas coronavirus response efforts]( [Opinion: Medicaid change would cripple Texas’ coronavirus response efforts]( Reports in recent weeks have underscored how fragile the coronavirus outbreak can make Texas' vulnerable healthcare system. [Read More »]( [Mayor: Round Rock finds a new normal in midst of coronavirus]( [Mayor: Round Rock finds a new normal in midst of coronavirus]( It’s hard to believe that just one month ago, school was in session, spring break was around the corner and life was business as usual. [Read More »]( [Opinion: The heroism of doing nothing]( [Opinion: The heroism of doing nothing]( Doing nothing is tough. When we’re too busy or overtired, it sounds like fun. But a steady diet of doing nothing gets boring fast. [Read More »]( [Letters to the editor: April 4, 2020]( [Letters to the editor: April 4, 2020]( Restrict gun salesto safeguard healthRe: March 28 article, “Paxton: Emergency coronavirus rules cannot restrict gun sales.”Texas Attorney General Paxton cannot see the forest for the trees. [Read More »]( Nation [The Latest: first case confirmed in the Falkland Islands]( [The Latest: first case confirmed in the Falkland Islands]( The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. [Read More »]( [The Latest: Britain releasing 4,000 inmates to stop spread]( [The Latest: Britain releasing 4,000 inmates to stop spread]( The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. [Read More »]( [Trump campaign kicks off Catholic voter outreach project]( [Trump campaign kicks off Catholic voter outreach project]( NEW YORK (AP) " President Donald Trump's reelection campaign is ramping up its courtship of Catholic voters ahead of a likely November matchup against a devout Catholic Democrat, former Vice President Joe Biden. [Read More »]( [Military recruiting struggles as enlistment stations close]( [Military recruiting struggles as enlistment stations close]( WASHINGTON (AP) " Marine Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Meyer does his best recruiting face-to-face. [Read More »]( [Competition for supplies sharpening as pandemic worsens]( [Competition for supplies sharpening as pandemic worsens]( NEW YORK (AP) " Scarce supplies of medical equipment are leading to growing competition within the U.S. and among nations, in what one French politician called a 'worldwide treasure hunt.' [Read More »]( World [Deaths of doctors, nurses highlight virus risks they run]( [Deaths of doctors, nurses highlight virus risks they run]( ROME (AP) " Air raid sirens sounded across China and flags flew at half staff in a tribute Saturday to victims of the coronavirus pandemic including the health care 'martyrs' who have died while fighting to save others. [Read More »]( [Front-line medical staff deaths grow, highlight virus risks]( [Front-line medical staff deaths grow, highlight virus risks]( ROME (AP) " Air raid sirens sounded across China and flags flew at half staff in tribute Saturday to victims of the coronavirus pandemic, including the health care 'martyrs' who have died fighting to save others. [Read More »]( [At Madrid field hospital, staff seeks to provide human touch]( [At Madrid field hospital, staff seeks to provide human touch]( MADRID (AP) " There's a bookshelf filled with donated novels. Hotel toiletries rest on cardboard boxes turned into bedside tables. [Read More »]( [Russia detains activists trying to help hospital amid virus]( [Russia detains activists trying to help hospital amid virus]( MOSCOW (AP) " An activist doctor who had criticized Russia's response to the coronavirus outbreak was forcibly detained as she and some of her colleagues tried to deliver protective gear to a hospital in need. [Read More »]( Austin360 [Want to buy a mask? SPIBelt now making, selling them]( [Want to buy a mask? SPIBelt now making, selling them]( SPIBelt, an Austin-based fitness accessory company, has turned from manufacturing fitness belts to store your stuff while running to making masks for personal use. [Read More »]( [Austin Couch Potatoes asking volunteers to sew masks at home during coronavirus]( [Austin Couch Potatoes asking volunteers to sew masks at home during coronavirus]( Austin Couch Potatoes, an Austin furniture store that launched its handmade furniture line about a year and a half ago, started making masks and gowns two weeks ago. [Read More »]( [Video premiere: Shelley King offers glimpses at familiar Austin places and faces]( [Video premiere: Shelley King offers glimpses at familiar Austin places and faces]( Video premiere: Shelley King offers glimpses at familiar Austin places and faces [Read More »]( [You gotta see this: Virtual art in Austin]( [You gotta see this: Virtual art in Austin]( You gotta see this: Virtual art in Austin [Read More »]( [The best movies to transport you to another place during your quarantine]( [The best movies to transport you to another place during your quarantine]( The best movies to transport you to another place during your quarantine [Read More »](   [Learn more about RevenueStripe...](   [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( [Manage Account]( | [Contact Us](mailto:customercare@statesman.com) | [Privacy Policy]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Newsletters]( We have an app for whatever you want - news, weather, entertainment and more. 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