Tampa mayor addresses maskless fans after Super Bowl
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — So much for the mayor’s order requiring masks at Super Bowl parties. Videos went viral on social media, showing throngs of mostly maskless fans and packed sports bars as the clock inside Raymond James Stadium ticked down on a hometown Super Bowl win for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“It is a little frustrating because we have worked so hard,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said during an early Monday morning news conference with the Super Bowl Host Committee. “At this point in dealing with COVID-19, there is a level of frustration when you see that.”
Some 200,000 masks were handed out ahead of the game, and “a majority” of people and businesses followed the rules, she said.
Hours later, during another news conference, Castor’s remarks shifted, saying that at least among those people that she saw celebrating, most of them were masked.
“I’m proud to say the majority of individuals that I saw out and about enjoying the festivities associated with the Super Bowl were complying,” she said. “They understood their level of personal responsibility and they were doing the right thing. I’m very proud of that.”
Even the White House weighed in.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked about whether President Joe Biden was concerned over Tampa fans taking to the streets following the Buccaneers Super Bowl.
“He is of course concerned when there are pictures and photos - we all are - that show many, many people without masks in close distance with one another at the height of a pandemic,” she said.
To meet coronavirus protocols, the NFL capped the crowd at under 25,000 in a stadium that normally holds some 66,000 fans, and required masks.
But outside the stadium, crowds of fans who weren’t wearing masks or practicing social distancing could be seen celebrating the Buccaneers’ 31-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.
Folks cheered, crammed into bars and hugged in several hotspots around the city — and swarmed the streets — all without masks.
In hopes of curbing so-called super-spreader events, Castor had signed a largely voluntary executive order requiring people wear face coverings during the Super Bowl festivities, even while they’re outdoors. She pleaded with people to celebrate safely, noting the city could issue fines of up to $500.
It wasn’t clear on Monday how many citations the city handed out, if any.
The mayor noted that there had been no major spikes in COVID-19 cases following the fall Stanley Cup win by the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team and outdoor celebrations surrounding that victory.
“We didn’t see those spikes after the Stanley Cup events,” she said.
Local orders were overridden last year by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose executive order made it difficult for local governments to enforce mask policies because it prohibits them from fining people who don’t comply. Florida has never had a mask policy.
Across Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Mayor Rick Kriseman was already unhappy about a maskless party hosted by Rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson in a hangar at Albert Whitted Airport on Friday night. Pictures from the party posted on social media showed a densely packed event with few people wearing masks to protect against spread of the coronavirus.
“This isn’t how we should be celebrating the Super Bowl,” the mayor tweeted on Saturday. “It’s not safe or smart. It’s stupid. We’re going to take a very close look at this, and it may end up costing someone a lot more than 50 cent.”
The nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, also warned against turning the Super Bowl into a super spreader, saying before the game that people should “just lay low and cool it.”
Florida has recorded 1.7 million confirmed cas
PHOENIX ( AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have finalized their $ 3.5 million, oneyear contract with relief pitcher Joakim Soria.
The 36-year-old right-hander can earn $ 500,000 in performance bonuses for games pitched: $ 125,000 each for 40, 50, 60 and 65. He would get a one- time $ 500,000 assignment bonus if traded.
He also receives a hotel suite on road trips.
The two- time AllStar will be pitching for his eighth MLB team. He spent the past two years with Oakland and finished with a 2.82 ERA in 22 appearances during the abbreviated 2020 season. He earned $ 3,148,148 in prorated pay from an $8.5 million salary during the final season of a $ 15 million, two- year contract.
Soria’s deal was the first notable move by the
Diamondbacks during a quiet offseason.
Arizona is coming off a disappointing lastplace finish in the NL West.
The D- backs don’t have a clear- cut closer for the upcoming season and Soria could be in the mix for the job along with holdovers like Stefan Crichton and Kevin Ginkel.
Soria had his best years as the closer in Kansas City with 42 saves in 2008 and 43 in 2010, which were both his All- Star seasons. While he hasn’t matched those numbers since, he’s been a dependable reliever over the past decade and has 732 career appearances, which is third among active pitchers.
Arizona announced the agreement Saturday. To open a roster spot, Arizona designated lefthander Taylor Guilbeau for assignment.