Governors use college football to urge fans to practice social distancing
Many governors are issuing stay-at-home orders or urging commitment to social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, and they’ve resorted to some sports-related threats to try to drive the message home.
At least two governors have warned that not following social distancing measures could jeopardize college football season. The first was Governor Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, who said those wanting to see the Cornhuskers needed to follow government guidelines.
.@GovRicketts hit where it hurts today — 'If you want to see @HuskerFBNation this fall, you'd better comply with social distancing measures.' He says there's some indication that his directed health measures are working, that April will be 'a tough month.'
— Paul Hammel (@PaulHammelOWH) April 2, 2020
Alabama governor Kay Ivey, whose state includes the Crimson Tide as well as the Auburn Tigers, invoked a similar theme when announcing her own stay-at-home order.
Gov. Kay Ivey even brings up those wanting to watch football in the fall. This is serious, she says. Deadly serious. "What we are doing today gives us a better chance to do that as well."
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) April 3, 2020
There is definitely some doubt about whether college football season will happen on time. The good news is if people follow these orders, those chances do go up. Stopping the spread of the virus is vital to playing sports again, and we have several months to make that happen. These governors seem to know it, too.
