Big Dance or big chance? Some states wary of a related surge

The NCAA Tournament and bars were made for each other, with fans of powerhouse teams like Gonzaga and long shots like Colgate pouring in to cheer their teams. Until last year, that is, when COVID- 19 blew up everybody’s brackets.

This year, the tournament’s back, and bars and restaurants, some shuttered for months, are open for March Madness, though things may look a little different.

Only a limited number of fans will be allowed in the stands to watch the games in Indiana as the tournament starts Thursday. As for those who choose to watch at bars or restaurants, their experiences will vary depending on their location.

Some bars are under strict limits on the number of people allowed inside and will require fans to wear masks and keep their distance. Others could be packed to capacity with mask- less fans.

So if somebody on the Fighting Illini hits a winner at the buzzer, back at the Esquire Lounge in Champaign, where the University of Illinois is located, any hugging and high- fiving will be limited to people sitting at the same table, which are separated by 6 feet ( 2 meters) and Plexiglass barriers.

“You can hug the people at your table,” said co- owner Paul Higgins. “It’s not quite as fun.”

But if a Baylor player hits the same shot, in Texas — where all those rules and much of the Plexiglass disappeared after Republican Gov. Greg Abbott lifted restrictions — the scene will be much different.

“We’re gonna be packed,” said Clint Josey, owner of Coach’s Barbecue Smoke House in Waco, near campus.

All of this easing and lifting of restrictions has public health experts worried about potential superspreader events at bars around the country. March Madness arrives as vaccinations increase in the U. S. and the death toll from COVID- 19 has dropped, but health experts note that many seniors and other at- risk people still haven’t been vaccinated.

“This is a major sporting event and all these fans are going to be allowed to be together indoors, ( creating) a lot of transmission possibilities,” said Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist and head of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.

“When bars are crowded the noise level goes up and then people talk more loudly and talking loudly projects the virus father into the air if you’re infected,” he said.

Heading into Lottie’s Pub in Chicago last week, Alex Kedzie said, “People are just happy for some sort of normalcy.”

At Kilroy’s in Indianapolis, near where many of the games will be played, about 150 people will be allowed in, down from some 400 during the tournament two years ago. Manager Jade Sharpe said two 70- inch TVS have been set up outside to go with the three already out there.

“We tented the existing patios and tented out into the street next to us and added TVS and speakers,” she said.

DARRON CUMMINGS/ ASSOCIATED PRESS Bartender Jillian Smith takes an order from people at Kilroy’s Bar & Grill in Indianapolis, which will reduce indoor capacity from 400 to 150 as the city hosts the NCAA Tournament this month.