Hockey fans still fill arena despite virus
The relatively high number of coronavirus cases in this area led county officials to discourage residents from attending large public gatherings Thursday, and a season-low 14,517 San Jose Sharks fans showed up for Thursday night’s NHL game against the Minnesota Wild.
But Sharks attendance grew to a relatively normal 16,018 on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators before San Jose concluded a six-game homestand at SAP Center on Sunday against the Avalanche.
And make no mistake, Avs fans were spotted throughout the building pregame.
“It’s pretty easy: Wash your hands, don’t touch your face, drink plenty of water and you’re fine,” said Chris Vanbeber of Loveland, who attended Sunday’s game with four others from northern Colorado.
Sierra Moore of Severance noted that fans don’t stay away from NHL games midwinter during the height of flu season, so any healthy person shouldn’t be afraid of COVID19.
“You can either live in fear or live your life. Let’s not live in
fear,” Moore said.
Eight new COVID-19 were reported Saturday afternoon by Santa Clara County Public Health Department, bringing the total number in the county to 32. California is up to 88 cases, according to CNN Health; Colorado has eight, per the same report.
“I think the San Jose Sharks are responsible enough that they would listen to any of the public health guidelines that were put forth through Santa Clara County,” said San Jose resident Aurora Pavlick, who attended Sunday’s game with her husband, Brian, and their 10-year-old son. “I have faith that their leadership is in contact with the right people. The SAP Center’s not going to do anything irresponsible.”
Brian Pavlick was donning an Avalanche hat, becoming a fan of the team in 1996 during its Stanley Cup run when he lived in Boulder. “I think you have to get out and live your life, no matter what’s going on,” he said.
Santa Clara County has discouraged residents from nonessential travel, but there seemed to be plenty of ride-share drivers.
“It’s not that big of deal,” said Uber driver Juan, who declined to give his last name. “Just do what your kindergarten teacher always told you — wash your hands.”
The NHL on Friday requested that its teams ban nonessential personnel from locker rooms, and the Sharks were among a handful of teams to keep media out of theirs Saturday. Requested players conducted interviews outside the locker room news conference setting.
The Avs, however, held a morning skate Sunday and media were welcomed into the visiting locker room at SAP Center, with a note at the entrance reminding journalists not to shake hands with players, or give knuckles, hugs or sit on locker stalls.
“It’s not a distraction; we’re just trying to play hockey,” Avs captain Gabe Landeskog said. “If there was to come to a point where it’s affecting crowds and games being canceled, it would be a bit of a distraction. But right now it’s not.”
Landeskog and his teammates have been told they aren’t at risk of contracting COVID-19. in a
“I’m not a doctor, No. 1; I’m not a specialist on the subject. But asking our doctors, he said if we get it at our age and how healthy we are it’s going to be a regular cold,” Landeskog said. “The only thing that worries me is, I have a 4-month-old (daughter) at home. I generally get worked up on too many things. I don’t panic too easily. Obviously this has grown and more and more people are getting affected. It’s all over the world (but) it’s life, part of life, whatever industry you’re in, whatever work you’re doing, you’re getting affected one way or the other, I’m sure.”