In the world of COVID-19 and mask mandates, there’s plenty of gotcha to go around
Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O’Donnell tagged me on Facebook this week, pointing to another person’s post that called out Commissioner Lacey Cruse for not wearing a mask at a gathering last weekend.
He thought I should know because back in early May I wrote about how O’Donnell and two other commissioners attended a crowded public rally outside Wichita’s City Hall and did not wear masks.
I said at the time that the three officials — O’Donnell, Jim Howell and David Dennis — should lead by example when it comes to public health safety precautions. Wearing a mask not only reduces the spread of the coronavirus, but serves as a visual reminder that our community is battling a pandemic, and we need to maintain a united front.
I still believe that: Local leaders and others — including vocal mask proponents like myself — should not just talk the talk but mask up whenever we’re out and about, particularly in public.
So when Cruse, an outspoken proponent of the county’s current mask mandate, was seen without a mask during a gathering at Brightwater Bay in Wichita, O’Donnell was quick to share the news and cry hypocrisy.
The Facebook post circulated swiftly and became a topic during Wednesday’s commission meeting when local bar owner Alan Brinkman said, “The lady on the commission . . . thinks that this order doesn’t apply to her.”
“I ask you simply to admit your fault and not make excuses,” said Brinkman, owner of The Spot, a bar that currently is closed because of the county’s COVID-19 restrictions. “You made it seem like you are above the law.”
Cruse responded: “Yes, I did attend an outdoor small family gathering this weekend. And I will say that I did practice social distancing. I did follow the rules.”
A photograph shared by O’Donnell and others online shows an unmasked Cruse seated beside her daughter at the event.
“I followed the rules, I did what I was supposed to do, and that’s all I have to say. I would appreciate everybody to try to work together to fight this virus,” Cruse said. “Fighting each other does nothing but creates more turmoil.”
During his comments at Wednesday’s commission meeting, O’Donnell weighed in.
“I just find it ironic that she’s saying we need to be nice — support, not attack each other — when she continually attacks three of us on this commission,” O’Donnell said.
“And so the person preaching kindness is the least kind of everybody up here, and everyone in this room . . . knows it. Staff knows it, we all know it.”
Yikes. Where’s my popcorn?
It’s understandable that O’Donnell, who voted against the mask mandate and other COVID-related restrictions, wants to highlight any perceived failing or inconsistency among the pro-mask crowd.
And there are plenty of failings. A local physician recently warned of COVID spreading even among close contacts or at small family gatherings like backyard barbecues.
“People need to know: Don’t let your guard down. It’s still raging,” said Dr. Maggie Hagan, an infectious disease specialist with Infectious Disease Consultants in Wichita.
Cruse should wear a mask, as we all should, whenever we’re around others outside our home. Social distance is a challenging prospect and a moving target, which is why large events such as car shows and basketball tournaments aren’t smart during a pandemic.
Interesting, though, that the commissioner who decried a now-defunct coronavirus tip line as a “police state” and “Gestapo” tactic is so quick to tell on a colleague for being caught with her mask down.
Cruse said she didn’t wear a mask to last weekend’s event — an outdoor get-together for a friend’s 50th birthday — because she stayed only about an hour and was able to keep distanced from people she didn’t know.
But she was there long enough for someone to snap a photo and call her out on social media.
And the gotcha game continues.
Here’s what’s certain: Masks — along with hand-washing, social distancing and avoiding large gatherings — are a proven tool to slow the spread of COVID-19. In Sedgwick County and statewide, more people wearing masks has translated to reduced coronavirus case numbers.
One way to keep that improvement happening is for everyone — Democrat or Republican, local leader or average Joe — to be consistent and mask up.
This story was originally published August 13, 2020 at 10:52 AM.
