Delay is good for Astros’ rep
Targets of scorn
Regarding “Summer camp back on after test-result delay,” (C2, July 8): Assuming the season goes on, I believe the Astros definitely benefited from the delayed start to the 2020 season. The Astros were the pariahs of MLB — and maybe of all U.S. sports — for their sign-stealing escapades back in February as spring training began. COVID-19 and the prolonged spitting match between MLB and the MLB Players Association has allowed some of the heat associated with that scandal to dissipate. The Astros will still be the targets of scorn away from home this year, but there will be fewer games and I think the edge has been taken off just a bit. Mike Ganis, Houston
HPD’s equipment needs
Regarding “Acevedo, council spar over protective gear,” (A3, July 9): Cannot recall a time where I agreed with Art Acevedo, but he is right about protective gear. The council members are out of touch with reality when considering depriving officers of protective headgear. What the council needs is to face down a crowd of protesters throwing bricks and bottles, then maybe they can regain a tad of common sense. James Connealy, Baytown
Pandemic misinformation
My name is Nick Straub, and I am writing this letter in order to complete my communications merit badge for Boy Scouts. It is very frightening to see so many people, especially in the Houston area downplaying the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. The general populace for the most part acts like we are not currently in a pandemic. A lot of people have been hanging out in public and not practicing proper social distancing. Furthermore, younger people are compromising the populations most in danger (the elderly and sickly) by frequently going and coming back exposed. But to be honest, the scariest thing is the amount of misinformation and downplaying of the severity of this crisis. There are currently more cases than there have ever been, and the numbers are still on the rise. There have been over 3 million cases in the U.S. so far, and there is no sign of a decrease in cases. It doesn’t help when there are national leaders and people in power downplaying the danger and importance of keeping yourself and your family safe. Nick Straub, Sugar Land
Mount Rushmore speech
Regarding “No, Trump didn’t say that at Mount Rushmore,” (A14, July 9): Marc Thiessen well illuminated the blatant duplicity that is put out every day in America’s mainstream media. The myopia of political partisanship that is so prevalent today is encouraged and fueled by the leftist-dominated media and sustained by the hyper-partisan fanatics on both sides of the political spectrum. I scarcely hope anymore in the pragmatic Americans who can stave off the imminent ruin of this once great country. Raymond Ruiz, Manvel