Austin

Masks were few and far between at the first weekend of Austin City Limits Music Festival, despite organizers' best efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Driving the news: But attendees may notice changes during the second weekend, an Austin Public Health official told Axios on Monday. 

Austin environmental health officers were onsite during the festival and "identified additional opportunities for mask-zone education and enforcement for weekend 2," an agency spokesperson said in an email.

Those modifications could mean additional signage and announcements at stages and other crowded areas, Austin Public Health explained.

What they're saying: "We recognize the challenge and commend ACL organizers for checking for negative COVID tests and/or proof of vaccine at ALL entrances including VIP as well as proper enforcement of masking indoors," the Austin Public Health spokesperson said in an email. 

"Additionally, for any issues that were identified over the weekend, we appreciate how fast ACL staff responded to concerns from Austin Public Health."

Why it matters: Austin is within the threshold for stage 3 coronavirus guidelines, but officials have held off on making the move to the loosened restrictions. It's unclear what this past weekend's crowds will mean for the city's COVID-19 cases and a return to stage 3 guidelines.

Flashback: In a press conference last Friday, public health officials said they expected few opportunities for COVID-19 spread at the festival given ACL's safety measures.

"With the mitigation plan ACL has presented … we are anticipating that we should have a low number of cases that result from this large gathering event," said Austin-Travis County Health Authority Desmar Walkes.

ACL required masks in certain areas, including sections near the festival's many stages.

Attendees were also required to present proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event's start.

When asked Monday about concerns that ACL could become a superspreader event, Mayor Steve Adler told KVUE: "There's always a concern," but "we think we're going to be OK."

"The risks were weighed versus the benefit of getting some people vaccinated," Adler said, adding that the city's low positivity rate means there should be few opportunities for COVID-19 spread at the festival. 

The bottom line: We won't immediately know the impact of ACL crowds, but it's clear that mask guidelines weren't followed during the festival. COVID-19 data lags because the virus' incubation period is up to 14 days.

Crowds, no masks: What Austin City Limits means for COVID spread

When asked if ACL Fest could become a superspreader event, Mayor Steve Adler said: "We think we’re going to be OK."

A crowd stands behind a barricade at Austin City Limits music festival

The crowd during Polo G's set on weekend one of Austin City Limits Music Festival. Photo: Erika Goldring/WireImage

Texas

COVID

News

Two-thirds of University of Texas faculty, graduate students and others who have asked to opt of out of in-person teaching this semester because of the coronavirus have won accommodations, per documents Axios received through an open records request.

State of play: University officials told faculty they could try for in-person teaching waivers amid widespread fury over Gov. Greg Abbott's orders barring mask mandates.

By the numbers: The university received 133 requests for flexible teaching accommodation from faculty and student-staff; 88 of those asks have been approved.

"The people who did not receive approvals either chose to not move forward in the process, did not have a qualifying personal medical condition, or are still in the midst of the … evaluative process," UT spokesman J.B. Bird told Axios.

Of note: University officials granted flexible teaching arrangements to an additional 31 faculty members because those individuals live with an immunocompromised person.

Scoop: COVID in the classroom

Approximately 2/3 of those who asked to opt out of teaching because of COVID were granted an accommodation.

The University of Texas tower shines burnt orange at night.

The University of Texas administrative tower shines burnt orange at night. Photo: John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images