The MLB is 2 weeks into its 60 game shortened season and the number of Covid-19 cases are beginning to rise. The St. Louis Cardinals are the most recent team to be plagued with the virus after an alleged trip to the casino after finishing their series against the Minnesota Twins. This new outbreak poses another threat to the long-term viability of this baseball season.

When it was announced that baseball would be returning, the players and staff were told they have to abide by the new safety rules and standards set by the MLB. These rules include remaining socially distanced during games and to stay quarantined during the season to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. It is the players and coaches personal responsibility to hold themselves accountable for proper quarantining and social distancing both on and off the field. Many believe that this season started too early and was poorly implemented with failure to account for many scenarios that we now see emerging.

We know that regardless of the quarantine rules and strict testing done, there is still a risk of catching and spreading the virus. And that is with the players, coaches, and staff remaining on their best behavior. As we are seeing members of the MLB community selfishly breaching these rules, we are seeing the virus spreading to different teams. The St. Louis Cardinals tested positive 13 members of their organization with 7 of them being players. It has also been noted that clear social distancing regulations have been broken as fans notice players high fiving when they are to remain contactless.

The Cardinals are currently quarantining in Milwaukee where they received their positive testing. The series against the Detroit Tigers has been cancelled and there is a tentative plan for the team to resume play on Friday against the Chicago Cubs. At this point, it is important that the players and staff start holding themselves accountable for their actions and follow the rules put out by the MLB. The remainder of the season rests on the shoulders of the players and staff to do the right thing to keep everyone safe and healthy. As fans we encourage the players to follow the rules so we can continue to cheer on our favorite teams!

Swifties all over the world geared up for midnight on July 24th like it was New Years as they anxiously awaited the release of Taylor Swift’s 8th studio album. This album, however, was unlike any other release she had done because she only announced the albums creation and release date the day before. The secret record came as both a shock and present to us all and I, personally, cannot wait to dive in.

Taylor Swift is arguably the biggest singer in music today. Her following ranges from country to pop and to people of all ages. For her most recent album releases, she had filled her social media with “easter eggs” for her fans to overanalyze. She usually would release a few album tracks and music videos to those songs and litter them with clues. This time however, the album announcement came just hours before the release, sending Taylor Swift fans over the edge with excitement. The album is called Folklore and she announced it to have 15 songs with 1 bonus track. Along with the post about Folklore’s release was some black and white album art of Taylor in a forest. She also announced that a song would feature Bon Iver, an indie folk band, leading people to imagine the dreamy style of the album. Unlike any of Swift’s previous seven records, this one is categorized as alternative. This is the third major genre she has released an album in, the other two being pop and country, which she had tremendous success in. This album was written during quarantine from the coronavirus. It released the same day that she was supposed to set out to LA for her first of 4 stadium shows for her album “Lover.” There is speculation that this release was to make up for the missed tour and to bring some light into the fairly dim reality we are living in. She sure knows how to give her fans what they need.

Taylor Swift is an artist who keeps her fans on their toes. From hidden clues in singles to secret album releases, Swifties never know what to expect next from their icon, and wouldn’t want it any other way. Folkfore was an amazing surprise and an album overflowing with talent. Taylor is shining bright and we all are so happy to watch her succeed!