Health experts question if Cowboys should allow 45,000 fans for games
DALLAS — The declaration came last week via executive order from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. In a five-page decree, sports venues throughout the state, including the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, were cleared to operate at up to 50% capacity.
Attending Texas sporting events by the tens of thousands is no longer a question of “can” from the government level.
It remains a question of “should.” A number of public health experts have weighed in on Abbott’s order, which would permit more than 45,000 fans to congregate at Cowboys home games. They met the notion with trepidation. One expert called it a “game-time decision” on whether he would be comfortable attending a game in the fall.
Abbott’s executive order requires some context.
The ordinance unlocks the door for fans to mass gather at sporting events during the COVID-19 pandemic. But importantly, it does not open that door.
Leagues and clubs such as the NFL and the Cowboys ultimately decide fan flow at events. For example, according to state guidelines, the Mavericks can host more than 10,000 fans at American Airlines Center when their season resumes. But that won’t be the case; the NBA hopes to continue action this summer with 22 of its 32 teams based together in Orlando.
No fans will be permitted.
The NFL, which did not respond to request for comment, has time to determine how to navigate game access for the 2020 season.
“Sure, the governor says, ‘You can have 45,000 people gather at the Cowboys’ stadium,’” said Dr. Mark Casanova, president of the Dallas Medical Society, a group of several thousand physicians in Dallas County. “Does that mean the NFL, Jerry Jones and the other relevant stakeholders should act on that? They could, but should they?
“I think that’s the nutshell. Just because you can, it’s not saying you have to. It’s not saying you should. The way I look at the governor’s allowances are he said you could. Nobody is saying you have to. Nobody is saying you should.”
The Cowboys’ first scheduled exhibition in Arlington is about two months away, an Aug. 22 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Their regular-season home opener is about three months out, a Sept. 20 meeting with the Atlanta Falcons.
Much can change before then.
A vaccine to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, is certain not to be available to the public.
Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, the American Heart Association’s chief medical officer, worked as Texas commissioner of health during the 2003 SARS pandemic. The Dallas-area resident advised to “proceed with caution” when considering whether to attend sporting events like Cowboys games in 2020.
“I would go to a game if I had a clear understanding of what things the stadium was doing to assure my safety,” he said.
Sanchez cited examples like controlled entry. Fans typically enter and exit stadiums or arenas in a disorganized fashion, gathering and shuffling their way in and out of the venue. Before attending, Sanchez first would need to know what system was in place to avoid such crowding.
In restrooms, are there attendants who regularly clean the space? Is there an enhanced barrier to separate urinals? Is there a social-distanced line outside the doors, regulating how many people are allowed in the restroom at once?
Are concession stands open? If so, what and how do they serve? Are facemasks required and is hand sanitizer present throughout the stadium?
One potential issue that multiple experts flagged is the common definition of social distancing should be reconsidered for sporting events. Six feet of separation may work for Mi Cocina restaurantgoers or Katy Trail dog walkers, but virus-carrying droplets can easily travel farther than 6 feet in a sports spectator setting.
“Six feet does not apply to yelling because the ref made a bad call, because Zeke (Elliott) just scored another touchdown,” Casanova said. “That transmission potential may be as high as 15 feet or thereabouts, depending on the individual and the veracity of their ability to project their voice.” There, too, is the matter of NFL games lasting three-plus hours. This is a long period to ask fans, particularly when alcohol may be involved, to observe every precaution. So, 50% seems a bit high.
If NFL fans are permitted at all, Sanchez suggested a lower capacity is more appropriate, allowing leagues, teams and stadium staffers to understand their ability to provide a secure experience with smaller crowds. The capacity then could expand with time.
Like other clubs, the Cowboys are selling tickets for the 2020 season while awaiting clarity from the league. A team spokesperson declined comment Friday on stadium attendance at this time.