A COVID conspiracy of silence

 Is there a conspiracy of silence in Austin County?

I’m not normally one given to believing in conspiracy theories, but I’m beginning to think there is a sinister one afoot locally. I say sinister, not that it is an evil plot, but rather one that can affect the health and lives of many residents of Austin County.

A couple times in the past few weeks I have called out County Judge Tim Lapham for his failure to not only wear a mask in public, but to say anything about them, including enforcement of Gov. Greg Abbott’s order mandating them in public places due to the coronavirus pandemic. I recently made the issue a front page story and included other high-profile county officials who have defied the state order and have not been wearing masks in public meetings.

Among the others are Sheriff Jack Brandes, Emergency Services Director Ray Chislett, and, most disturbingly, Emergency Medical Services Director Walter Morrow. All of these people have a sworn commitment to protecting and saving lives, yet they are ignoring the simplest and most basic of recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, state and national health agencies, and our own governor’s order to wear masks to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Each of them is in danger of getting the virus and worse, are endangering each person they come in contact with.

Why?

Is it personal preference or county or department policy? Is it a political statement? I hope it isn’t willful ignorance. The thing is, no one at the county level is saying anything about the use of face coverings. I’ve called and emailed these county leaders several times with no response except for a “no comment” from Brandes.

On Monday I spoke with Lapham and Morrow in person before commissioners court. Morrow told me that masks can work some of the time and are not necessary all of the time. He said he has worked closely with his fellow county officials before and during the pandemic and feels safe unmasked. Afterward, he put on a mask for the meeting.

Lapham slipped me a copy of the governor’s executive order with a line highlighted that said masks are not required when “giving a speech or broadcast to an audience.” Yet he sits at a table unmasked with the four masked commissioners and his counterparts in nearby counties are masked during meetings.

If actions speak louder than words, then our officials are shouting the wrong message to the good people of Austin County. In their silence and by their actions (lack of face coverings), they are implying that they do not believe the top health officials and experts in the state and country. They are indicating that it is OK for local folks to not wear masks and risk both infection and further spread of the disease. This is despite the fact that Austin County continues to have growth in the number of COVID-19 cases and is now up to nine deaths.

Ironically, I don’t know how many times in the past I have spoken with Sheriff Brandes about law enforcement and he has told me many times that his office enforces all state laws. Granted this is an order and not a law, but failure to enforce it is inconsistent with his stated policies and practices.

As for our EMS director, I found it especially appalling that he has not been masked up in public meetings until confronted about it. Walter Morrow is a nice guy and is exceptionally qualified for his position. Yet health and safety are at the core of what he does. How can he in good conscience not be wearing face coverings in public? I just don’t get it.

Nobody likes having to wear the masks. They are, by far, the most controversial part of our pandemic response. But they do work and they are necessary. No, they do not stop the spread of the virus, but they do significantly reduce the spread. That’s why they are recommended in conjunction with social distancing.

We all bear the responsibility of slowing down and eventually stopping this pandemic. That means consistently doing our part by wearing face coverings, social distancing, and practicing good hygiene such as frequent hand washing and using hand sanitizer.

I know there are people out there who will blow me off as some left-wing media nut under government mind control. (Seriously, if that were the case, would I be calling out government officials?) The truth is, I’m about as conservative as they come. I just happen to be married to a woman in the medical field and am in regular contact with medical professionals. I will believe them over anti-maskers every time.

We all need to do our part. That includes our top county officials. Their inaction and silence are potentially deadly and need to change.

Sacrificial effort saved local baseball

I was overcome with an incredible feeling of gratitude Saturday night.

It was my last time at Constellation Field in Sugar Land for the final weekend of the pop-up Constellation Energy League. For two months we have been able to enjoy live, professional baseball while the rest of the country’s baseball leagues, aside from Major League Baseball, are shut down for the coronavirus pandemic. Even though MLB is operating a shortened season, it is doing so without fans in the stands.

What the Sugar Land Skeeters have given us with this impromptu four-team league is high-quality baseball entertainment and action that will forever live as one of the most unique events in professional baseball history. I spent quite a bit of time Friday and Saturday interviewing all four managers, a few players, and front office people for their perspective on how the league went.

What I came away with was a deep appreciation for the great sacrifice so many were willing to make against great odds so they could play and we could enjoy this great game. It begins with the Zlotnik family (Bob, Marcie, and their son Kevin), who dug deep into their pockets to fund the league. Without their generosity, none of this happens. Credit must also be given to Roger “Rocket” Clemens for pitching this crazy idea in the first place.

One thing many fans did not see was the effort put forth by the front office, grounds crew, concession stand, and other workers. In a typical season the Skeeters play 70 home games from late April through September. The Constellation Energy League featured 56 games played across 53 days. Every Saturday and Sunday had a double header, which makes for a very long day for those working the games.

On those double header days, the teams had to share clubhouses without being in them at the same time. Clubbies, who doubled as batboys, had short turnaround time to prep between games. The players had to adhere to very strict health and safety guidelines, including wearing masks when not playing, weekly COVID-19 checks, and living a very isolated lifestyle in order to maintain social distancing.

The fans had to do their part as well. Social distancing and hand sanitizing were strongly encouraged, and face coverings were required at all places in Constellation Field except when seated in the stands. For the fans who attended, the desire to watch live baseball games was worth the inconvenience. And they were not disappointed. The players were a mix of former Major Leaguers, Minor Leaguers, and top prospects.

The quality of play was comparable to Triple A ball or even the Majors. I’d pit an all-star team from this league in the Majors any day. In fact, the big league bought out about a half-dozen player contracts with two players so far getting playing time in the MLB (Chase De Jong with the Astros and Brett Eibner with the Marlins). Every player I spoke with said he was grateful for the chance to play and improve skills while their Minor League counterparts spent the summer without competition.

I must also make special note of team President Chris Hill and General Manager Tyler Stamm who went to bat for this league against great odds from state, county, city, and health officials. The league was starting up just as the pandemic was closing things down a second time and a lot of red tape had to quickly be overcome. Even then there were plenty of naysayers who said the league and the season could not be done. It was completed, and in spectacular fashion.

Every game was played, even rained out make-up games. There were daily specials, weekend giveaways, pet nights, special honors nights, and fireworks every Friday night. The person who plays the mascot did all three – Swatson, Rally Sloth, and the Trash Monster. That alone was a fur-ious effort!

The whole league was very professionally done and a lot of fun. Leaving on Saturday reminded me a lot of the last day of school when you say so long to your friends for the summer. We don’t know what the future holds for the independent baseball team. We don’t know if or when we’ll cross paths with players, managers, and fans in the stands again. We do know what we had this summer and it was worth every minute. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in making it happen!