Mask The Issue

Masking THE ISSUE

by Jean Eisenmann | photo courtesy of Jean Eisenmann

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, I reflect back a couple of months to when we were told gloves were a definite deterrent to contracting the virus. Then once we loaded up on them, buying up every store’s inventories and stuffing them in every nook and cranny of the house, the new preventive became mask. And my house smells like a latex factory.

I’ve now become so overexposed to because I hadn’t realized that ripping it “mass mask marketing” that it’s had a off my face in one fell swoop might be profound effect on me. I seem to have causing observers to have nightmares. developed a bona fide mask obsession. Today, I watched a local morning show And to think of all the years I wasted where the hostess announced, “Coming coveting shoes. up after the station break, we’ll learn how It’s the new normal to have only half to make masks from your husband’s old your face exposed. Not wearing one in boxer shorts. One pair yields two to three public places draws more glares than if masks, depending on the size of the I picked my nose in church. People are shorts.” We’re getting pretty crafty with going about their lives wearing those our masks. Ah, American ingenuity and little fabric disguises and yes, even at entrepreneurial spirit, with a sprinkling of home; gardening, sunbathing, cleaning opportunistic greed for good measure. out the gutters, and jogging. And fainting, I am accumulating quite a mask collection because it’s just too hot to wear a mask to feed my new outdoors in Texas. fixation. I have masks On TV the other day, a newscaster conducted an AH, AMERICAN INGENUITY AND of every color for every occasion – even a night mask interview remotely with an “etiquette expert” who shared ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT, WITH A complete with blue half-moons and silver stars. It’s a with us the proper way to remove a mask without SPRINKLING OF OPPORTUNISTIC little intrusive to wear while sleeping because my husband offending anyone. You know, that really enlightened me GREED FOR GOOD MEASURE. said it not only makes my breathing sound like Darth Vader’s, but the iridescent silvery stars reflect on the ceiling and keep him awake. Can’t he just count them like sheep and nod off?

I wear masks with red and orange flames when I’m feeling rebellious, sequins for masked tie, uh, black tie events, ‘70s psychedelic when I’m feeling my age, gingham when I want to project innocence, and a red lip print when I don’t.

I removed my jewelry from its designated box and placed the pieces in a plastic bag. My grandfather’s college graduation ring from 1920 and my aunt’s engagement ring that she brought over from the old country don’t require the special container with satin lining that my mask collection does.

In addition to its health benefit of virus protection, I have come to feel virtually undressed without wearing a mask. I see it as a burgeoning fashion industry, not only developing as we live under health threats, but also as we become accustomed to wearing them as part of our wardrobes. However, there will always be skeptics who prefer to go commando.

In the future, despite whatever progressive designs may evolve from today’s mask, one characteristic can never be replicated, and that’s the beauty of seeing a warm, heartfelt – and unobstructed – smile.

SHERIFF’S

WITH SHERIFF TRACY MURPHREE

THANK YOU OFFICERS

“ T he last few months have been very challenging for law enforcement. The COVID-19 pandemic followed have served with honor and distinction throughout these difficult times. I have watched over and over as they continue by civil unrest and anti-police sentiments to do their jobs and do their jobs well. has affected law enforcement agencies I’ve heard no complaints or whining, like nothing before. The Denton County as they have done all that I and their

Sheriff’s Office and our local agencies respective Chiefs have asked of them. are no exception. In a time of uncertainty They go out every day putting their lives

I want to take a moment on the line for Denton and tell you how proud I am of our officers. These men and women have THEY HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY County. They are moms, dads, husbands, wives, sons and daughters who not had the opportunity WITHOUT DAYS have answered a call not to work from home. They OFF TO KEEP OUR many are willing to answer. have been unable to social distance themselves from COMMUNITIES SAFE. They are angry when a member of their profession the duties they are sworn brings dishonor to that to provide. They have worked tirelessly profession. They are always and will always without days off to keep our communities be there when they are needed. I’m proud safe. These officers have gone from to lead these men and women. I am also being praised as essential workers to proud of our sister agencies we work so being ridiculed with calls of defunding closely with. You should be proud of their positions. These men and women them too.”

WE ARE HIRING

If you are interested in a career in Law Enforcement, join our family and be a part of a great organization. Detention Officer I positions start at $38,752.00 per year. Visit our website to apply.

www.governmentjobs.com/ careers/dentoncounty

Taking Community RESPONSIBILITY

by Denton County Judge Andy Eads photo courtesy of Judge Andy Eads

Many of you have reached out in recent days as much larger counties with higher case counts have taken steps to require face masks in businesses.

I believe this situation does include wearing a mask, but it is about much more than a mask. It is about a temporary lifestyle change.

The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally altered the way we go about our daily lives.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing your hands frequently, avoiding close contact with others outside of your household, covering your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and monitoring your health.

These few simple steps can also make a difference and reduce exposure:

Instead of going to the grocery story multiple times a week, plan one or two trips instead;

Take advantage of patio dining at your favorite restaurants or curbside service and delivery at local businesses;

Worship responsibly – Sit 6 feet away from fellow congregants while attending services;

Wear a mask when interacting with people outside your household, this includes inside businesses and personal settings;

When you wear a mask, you are wearing it for everyone else. If all of us wear masks when in contact with each other, we help one another.

Moreover, check in with your vulnerable neighbors, friends and relatives to see if they need anything to reduce their potential for exposure.

I am sure we all know someone who could use a helping hand and I am asking us all to use this time to help our fellow residents. If you would like to volunteer to help in these efforts, contact us at volunteercovid19@dentoncounty.com.

These simple and innovative steps can significantly reduce the chance of exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

Our Denton County Public Health team closely monitors the situation in our county and, while the positivity rate has increased, the availability of hospital beds, ICU beds and ventilators has not increased dramatically. We continue to monitor these Denton County metrics daily as well as the metrics in the hospitals across DFW.

As we experience an uptick in cases, it is not the time to panic. Instead, we need to focus our reliable, local statistics.

We each have the responsibility to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. Yet we also need to exercise community responsibility.

When you wear a mask, you are wearing it for everyone else. If all of us wear masks when in contact with each other, we help one another. That is what community is all about. It is also a courtesy to others working on the frontlines. The more voluntary participation we have, the less likely a mandatory mask requirement will be needed. Together, hopefully we can find a collective path forward to reduce COVID-19 transmission without resorting to mandates.

Do the responsible thing. Wear a mask. For real-time Denton County Health Statistics check out www.dentoncounty.

gov/COVIDstats.

LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER BRIGHTENS UP NEARBY NEIGHBORHOODS

by Steve Gamel | photo by John Ousby Photography (www.john.ousby.com)

Imagine a friendly photographer hurriedly running from door to door in your neighborhood. He stops long enough to take a few creative family photos while you stand on your front porch — all for free and from a safe distance while also benefitting a great cause. If you saw something like that, would you do it? And if so, how creative could you get?

For residents of Lantana and Corinth, the answer was a resounding YES! And boy, were they creative!

It’s called The Front Porch Project, and from April 15-30, Frisco-based photographer John Ousby said he visited 500 homes in those three communities — including 170 on the last day — and documented some pretty special moments during a time when the majority of families were stuck inside because of COVID-19. Ousby took photos of everything from high school graduates and birthdays to hilariously creative family photos complete with various props.

All the participants had to do was meet him on their front porch and smile for the camera. While the photos were free to download from his website, participants still helped Ousby raise $1,000 for Mission Both charity organizations work diligently every day to provide necessities to children and families in need.

“People were noticing what others were doing, and it just took off — especially in Lantana,” Ousby said with a laugh. He said of the 500 houses he visited, 326 were in Lantana. “It was nice to be able to do something for these families and also help out two fantastic charities. People were getting free photos, and they would also donate to the charities through my website. As for the photos, there was a real sense that people were competing with each other. It was hilarious.”

Ousby’s website is proof of that. The porch gallery has some pretty creative photos, including a family of four and their dog, where the dad is wearing a suit jacket and dress shirt with shorts to symbolize the lax working-from-home environment. Meanwhile, his wife is in her PJs with a glass of wine in hand while they and their two daughters share funny messages on Moms and $300 for Frisco Family Services.

cardboard signs. Another family photo includes a young boy holding two rolls of toilet paper up to his ears while his dad appears to be playfully sanitizing him with a bug sprayer.

“There were families, senior graduates in their cap and gown, birthday celebrations, and just normal families coming up with fun ideas. They all put so much thought into these pictures,” Ousby said. “Some wanted to have a little fun while others were simply excited to get dressed up since they hadn’t gotten out of their shorts and t-shirts for so long.” Ousby said he isn’t sure where or when The Front Porch Project started, but he was eager to jump on board after talking to a few photographers in Prosper who had done something similar. Ousby is known for his sports and events photography, but since the coronavirus started and games came to a screeching halt, he’s had to look elsewhere to keep taking inspiring photos. The Front Porch Project was the perfect antidote, even if only for a short while.

“You know if you aren’t doing something that you normally do every day, you start to feel uncomfortable? Well, I was getting to that point without any events going on,” he said. “I had to get into some sort of project, and this seemed like a good one to try. I knew there was a huge demand for it, but I wasn’t prepared for all of this. It was a lot of fun.”

PHOTOS OF LANTANA RESIDENTS BY JOHN OUSBY PHOTOGRAPHY