Newsom said the idea of mass gatherings is "negligible at best until we get to herd immunity" and vaccinesGETTY IMAGES
California Gov. Gavin Newsom yesterday made it clear that fans should not "expect to be attending any sporting events or concerts until next year," according to Bruce Jenkins of the S.F. CHRONICLE. Newsom said, "The prospect of mass gatherings is negligible at best until we get to herd immunity and we get to a vaccine. So large-scale events that bring in hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of strangers all together across every conceivable difference -- health and otherwise -- is not in the cards based upon our current guidelines and current expectations.” Jenkins notes medical experts "have made it clear that a COVID-19 vaccine is many months away, perhaps stretching into next year" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 4/15). In San Jose, Kerry Crowley reports if mass gatherings "remain restricted into the fall and winter, it’s unlikely academic institutions in California would allow student-athletes to compete given the possible physical distancing guidelines Newsom said the state is discussing for schools" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 4/15).
NO QUICK RETURN FOR MASS GATHERINGS: Newsom is the latest voice to say mass gatherings should be anticipated later rather than sooner. BioethicistDr. Zeke Emanuel said fall '21 "realistically" is the earliest that "larger gatherings" like sporting events and concerts can be expected to return. Emanuel: "When people say they’re going to reschedule this conference or graduation event for October 2020, I have no idea how they think that’s a plausible possibility. I think those things will be the last to return" (N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE, 4/12 issue). Emory Univ. epidemiologist Dr. Zach Binney believes that it "will not be possible for fans to attend sports events until a vaccine exists for coronavirus." Binney: "I am as close to 100 per cent as I’ve ever been that we cannot return to filled-to-capacity stadia until we have a vaccine. Period. The best guess is about 18 months, could be a little more, could be a little less” (LONDON TIMES, 4/15). TSN's Bob McKenzie reported Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees believes there "won’t be or that there shouldn’t be any large mass gatherings in public until such time that a vaccine for the coronavirus is widely available to the population." McKenzie: "He went on to say that it’s probably going to be at least a year, if not longer, before that vaccine is available" ("Insider Trading," TSN, 4/14).
MORE GOVERNORS SPEAK OUT: In Louisville, Jon Hale reports Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear indicated that games "without large crowds of fans could continue into the fall." Beshear referenced a potential return of crowds to college football games, saying, "It's got to be driven by public health, and the data that we see that time. In the fall, I think we ought to be really hesitant to have 60,000 people together at something, but we haven't seen exactly where this is going to go." Hale notes Beshear's comments "are particularly relevant" for both of the state's college football teams and the Kentucky Derby, which has been rescheduled for Sept. 5. Beshear yesterday "stressed repeatedly that all decisions about easing restrictions on social distancing will be guided by public health officials" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 4/15). Meanwhile, in Cleveland, Nathan Baird reports Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was unsure whether college or pro sports "would return to stadiums this summer and fall" with crowds. DeWine: “It’s much too early to be making any decisions about fall. I don’t think we know enough. I don’t think we know where we’re going to be. I don’t think we know how many tests we will have." He did indicate that fans "will ultimately have a large say" in when mass gatherings will return to sports when the state "can gradually ease restrictions in the future" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 4/15).
SAINTS DIFFERENT FROM FESTIVALS? In New Orleans, Amie Just reports Mayor LaToya Cantrell yesterday "recommended that all large festivals in the city be pushed back for 2021," though she "came short of recommending the same" for Saints games. She said of music festivals, "My opinion is all of that should be pushed back, period. Absolutely no large events as it relates to the year of 2020." However, when asked specifically about the Saints, she indicated that the NFL "as a whole is struggling with those decisions." Cantrell: "I don't know what that's going to look like. ... I don't think anyone has a clue right now" (NOLA.com, 4/14).
