Rangers allowed to have full capacity crowd with “ voluntary compliance” of masks requirement

soxhop411

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View: https://twitter.com/ThreeTwoEephus/status/1369719240580767744

BREAKING: Texas Rangers plan to open to full 40,518 capacity for 2 final exhibition games and Opening Day, with plans to have social-distanced sections available in subsequent games.
- masks will be required
- no tailgating allowed
- team is asking for “voluntary compliance” but refusal to comply will fall under the usual three-strike rule, just like excessive profanity, etc.

More to come.
BREAKING: Texas Rangers plan to open to full 40,518 capacity for 2 final exhibition games and Opening Day, with plans to have social-distanced sections available in subsequent games.

This is the most brain dead thing MLB could do. And I would not Be shocked to see some teams protest because of health risks.
 

canderson

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The high school basketball state semifinals were last night with full arenas and little to no masks. Texas gave up on this weeks ago.
 

soxhop411

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The high school basketball state semifinals were last night with full arenas and little to no masks. Texas gave up on this weeks ago.
its not just texas, its MLB, there is no fucking chance this was announced without approval from Manfred. So Manfred seems perfectly fine killing fans for the Almighty $$$
 

nolasoxfan

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What could go wrong?!

LOL... we're a hell of a species, aren't we?

So, is MLB equating "excessive profanity" with the possibility of infecting another individual with a potentially lethal virus? Asking for a friend.
 

Red Averages

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It's a case study of 40,000 willing volunteers. Not sure that's the worst thing in the world.
 

Red Averages

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Sure, if you could keep the 40,000 willing volunteers in the stadium for 10-14 days or prevent them from interacting with other human beings.
Presumably those that want to get vaccinated will be by the time baseball opens in TX, or will still be actively socially distancing.

10% of TX is already fully vaccinated, close to 20% have had their first dose. These events are 4 weeks from now.
 
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Red(s)HawksFan

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Presumably those that want to get vaccinated will be by the time baseball opens in TX, or will still be actively socially distancing.

10% of TX is already fully vaccinated, close to 20% have had their first dose. These events are 4 weeks from now.
So, if this is in anticipation of most people being vaccinated by Opening Day, why the need for "socially distanced sections" in subsequent games per the tweet? If they are anticipating everyone attending will be vaccinated, no social distancing (or masking for that matter) should be needed.

They're following their governor and jumping the gun in order to make money. There's no reason they can't wait a month or two until we KNOW that a significant portion of the population is vaccinated rather than throwing caution to the wind based on anticipation and projection. Or simply going with limited capacity to start and expanding as vaccination numbers rise.
 

NJ_Sox_Fan

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Honestly are the numbers even that significantly worse in any of the states opening up more vs states like NY, CA etc that are far more strict? At a cursory glance it sure does not appear so.
 

Ale Xander

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No Tailgating? Way to squash my rights.

Seriously, you've opened the state, you let 40k people inside swap spit, but sitting in the parking lot with a beer and brisket is a bridge too far?
If you get the beer or brisket out of your car, they don't get paid
If you get the beer or brisket from concession, they get paid.
 

Papo The Snow Tiger

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I didn't know state lines stopped the virus from traveling. If I was in charge of a team, I'd refuse to play in Texas.
I was just thinking that. Any fans going to the game are doing it voluntarily, they have no one else to blame for any consequences. The visiting players have no choice. The Red Sox are scheduled to play the Rangers in Texas at the end of April. How safe will they be?
 

Red Averages

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I was just thinking that. Any fans going to the game are doing it voluntarily, they have no one else to blame for any consequences. The visiting players have no choice. The Red Sox are scheduled to play the Rangers in Texas at the end of April. How safe will they be?
By the end of April, it's very likely everyone in MA that wants a vaccine will have had the opportunity. Should the Red Sox refuse to play?
 

Red Averages

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So, if this is in anticipation of most people being vaccinated by Opening Day, why the need for "socially distanced sections" in subsequent games per the tweet? If they are anticipating everyone attending will be vaccinated, no social distancing (or masking for that matter) should be needed.

They're following their governor and jumping the gun in order to make money. There's no reason they can't wait a month or two until we KNOW that a significant portion of the population is vaccinated rather than throwing caution to the wind based on anticipation and projection. Or simply going with limited capacity to start and expanding as vaccination numbers rise.
Well, #1 - they likely don't expect to sellout. So it's a free option, and a good marketing way to get more people interested that aren't vaccinated, want to social distance and attend a game.
#2 - I never said everyone attending will be vaccinated.
#3 - Anyone choosing to go to the game is doing to voluntarily.
 

Ale Xander

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Presumably those that want to get vaccinated will be by the time baseball opens in TX, or will still be actively socially distancing.

10% of TX is already fully vaccinated, close to 20% have had their first dose. These events are 4 weeks from now.
By the end of April, it's very likely everyone in MA that wants a vaccine will have had the opportunity. Should the Red Sox refuse to play?
You do not get fully antibodied immediately following vaccination.
 

Red Averages

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You do not get fully antibodied immediately following vaccination.
Understood. Everything I've written says a good amount of the population will be vaccinated or social distancing still. Those in society are doing to at their own risk assed measures.

I'm not saying I agree with full capacity by Opening Day. I would have chosen 25%. They won't fill up anyway. My point was it's a great case study by those willing to go. Fortunately by the time these events take place, 30-40% of TX will be vaccinated and the odds of it spreading so quickly will be greatly reduced, and the odds of it spreading to those most at risk will be even lower. We will need to reprogram our minds away from case count as THE risk.
 

Ale Xander

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Understood. Everything I've written says a good amount of the population will be vaccinated or social distancing still. Those in society are doing to at their own risk assed measures.

I'm not saying I agree with full capacity by Opening Day. I would have chosen 25%. They won't fill up anyway. My point was it's a great case study by those willing to go. Fortunately by the time these events take place, 30-40% of TX will be vaccinated and the odds of it spreading so quickly will be greatly reduced, and the odds of it spreading to those most at risk will be even lower. We will need to reprogram our minds away from case count as THE risk.
People don't assess risks properly. This is why we have speed limits, drunk driving laws, smoking age minimum, etc. And Texas probably takes the cake in this regard. I am not willing to sacrifice human beings, even if they voted for Cruz and Cornyn, for the sake of a case study.

The Rangers and MLB are being very careless to allow full capacity.

I hope you're right and we get low attendance.
 

Red Averages

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There have been a lot of well known events that the experts on SoSH have deemed wreckless, stupid, the end of our civilization. That is all I will say. Yet we learned a lot from the Ozarks party (remember that?), the protesting for BLM and other social justice causes, people getting haircuts with symptoms while wearing a mask, outdoor dining, and on and on. It's OK to disagree and still view things as an opportunity.
 

johnmd20

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People don't assess risks properly. This is why we have speed limits, drunk driving laws, smoking age minimum, etc. And Texas probably takes the cake in this regard. I am not willing to sacrifice human beings, even if they voted for Cruz and Cornyn, for the sake of a case study.

The Rangers and MLB are being very careless to allow full capacity.

I hope you're right and we get low attendance.
Indeed, many people are completely not assessing risk properly in this very thread.
 

NJ_Sox_Fan

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If I can’t get a ticket in Fenway, I’d hop a plane and go to Texas to see the Sox play with zero hesitation. Especially with RT airfare for less than $100/pp.

I’d imagine others who go will also decide for themselves whether or not it’s worth the risk to go to a game.
 

moretsyndrome

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If I can’t get a ticket in Fenway, I’d hop a plane and go to Texas to see the Sox play with zero hesitation. Especially with RT airfare for less than $100/pp.

I’d imagine others who go will also decide for themselves whether or not it’s worth the risk to go to a game.
You understand that, in addition to deciding for themselves whether or not it’s worth the risk, they're also making the decision for the unsuspecting people that they encounter afterwards, right?
 

NJ_Sox_Fan

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You understand that, in addition to deciding for themselves whether or not it’s worth the risk, they're also making the decision for the unsuspecting people that they encounter afterwards, right?
What unsuspecting people would these be? Social distancing and mask guidelines are still in place at most places.

So for example, for myself, when I return to NJ I would still have to mask and distance - except around other fully vaccinated folks per CDC guidelines - but in 99% of the situations (flying back to NJ, going out and about in NJ) I’d be masked and distancing.
 

The Mort Report

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I feel bad for the employees that have to enforce the mask rule(if they actually do). Can you imagine how many people in the 7th inning that are 6 beers deep? None of them will wear their masks, and sections will gang up on these poor people
 

Papo The Snow Tiger

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Unless they plan a Jeteresque dive into the stands are they at risk on the field form virus in the stands?
I wouldn't be too worried about catching the virus directly from fans in the stands, but the players are only one degree removed from them. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's usually a cop or security in the dugout and bullpen,. The grounds crew is usually close by. There are ballgirls/boys chasing down foul balls on the field that end up handing them off to someone in the stands. How many of those people will not be interacting with the fans in the stands? I'm far from a contagious disease expert and maybe a little paranoid, but "voluntary compliance" with the mask rule is a little too weak for my liking.
 

DisgruntledSoxFan77

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I don't think this is a great idea, (why not wait until May?) but how would this result in the ending of our species?
We're never getting rid of this virus because too many of the "smartest among us" just refuse to follow simple guidelines. Wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart. How hard is this to do? But no, they know better than health professionals, the virus can't possibly get THEM. With the variants out there, let's just keep the virus going
 

johnmd20

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We're never getting rid of this virus because too many of the "smartest among us" just refuse to follow simple guidelines. Wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart. How hard is this to do? But no, they know better than health professionals, the virus can't possibly get THEM. With the variants out there, let's just keep the virus going
You should have stopped after "virus".

Because we are never getting rid of this virus. It is not possible. But the outlook right now is, by far, the best best it has been in 14 months. The vaccines are working. But some people are still going to die from this. Some of them will be people who go to this game. And that sucks but over a hundred thousand people die every day. And each one is a tragedy but life is tragic.

Pretending this game is going to matter in the long term for humanity is nonsense.
 

DisgruntledSoxFan77

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You should have stopped after "virus".

Because we are never getting rid of this virus. It is not possible. But the outlook right now is, by far, the best best it has been in 14 months. The vaccines are working. But some people are still going to die from this. Some of them will be people who go to this game. And that sucks but over a hundred thousand people die every day. And each one is a tragedy but life is tragic.

Pretending this game is going to matter in the long term for humanity is nonsense.
You're right, let's just all stop wearing masks in public and stand shoulder to shoulder with strangers. The reason why it's the best it's been is because of these measures. They're working, why stop now? Let's keep this going, get more vaccines out there, and THEN ease up on the restrictions
 

Lose Remerswaal

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I wouldn't be too worried about catching the virus directly from fans in the stands, but the players are only one degree removed from them. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's usually a cop or security in the dugout and bullpen,. The grounds crew is usually close by. There are ballgirls/boys chasing down foul balls on the field that end up handing them off to someone in the stands. How many of those people will not be interacting with the fans in the stands? I'm far from a contagious disease expert and maybe a little paranoid, but "voluntary compliance" with the mask rule is a little too weak for my liking.
Oh yeah. Ushers, concession people, security, ticket takers, etc are all going to be right there with the maskless masses
 

johnmd20

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You're right, let's just all stop wearing masks in public and stand shoulder to shoulder with strangers. The reason why it's the best it's been is because of these measures. They're working, why stop now? Let's keep this going, get more vaccines out there, and THEN ease up on the restrictions
Despite your hyperbole, I do not disagree. But some people disagree with our disagreement. And they will go to the game. And it's not perfect behavior but there are millions of humans who do ridiculous and stupid things every single day. And they have been doing it for the last year.

It won't end humanity. And isn't any kind of indication that humanity is FUCKED because some people are really stupid. News Flash: Some people are really stupid
 

NJ_Sox_Fan

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You're right, let's just all stop wearing masks in public and stand shoulder to shoulder with strangers. The reason why it's the best it's been is because of these measures. They're working, why stop now? Let's keep this going, get more vaccines out there, and THEN ease up on the restrictions
I don’t really think that’s true. Isn’t it more so that it’s the best now is that it has been because it’s been ravaging the world for a year and now between that and vaccines we are getting to the point where it’s harder for it to spread like wildfire?
 

fairlee76

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What could go wrong?!

LOL... we're a hell of a species, aren't we?

So, is MLB equating "excessive profanity" with the possibility of infecting another individual with a potentially lethal virus? Asking for a friend.
Hey now. Texans are a subspecies unto themselves.

Someone needs to design a "please, come and take it..my mask, silly, not the cannon" t-shirt.
 

DisgruntledSoxFan77

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I don’t really think that’s true. Isn’t it more so that it’s the best now is that it has been because it’s been ravaging the world for a year and now between that and vaccines we are getting to the point where it’s harder for it to spread like wildfire?
It would seem that it's not spreading as fast because of a combination of reasons, but the masks and social distancing is helping, along with fewer people traveling than when it was at its peak. It would seem to me that if it's working, why not keep it up until a majority of the people actually have the vaccine instead of easing restrictions based on the pace of the vaccinations?
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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Roughly 10% of each state has had positive tests. I'd wager close to 20% of each state has actually already gotten Covid. Numbers are dropping, vaccination and herd immunity are working. Anyone wishing the world to go back to pre-covid times is out of touch with reality.

If people want to go to a game, let 'em. If you dont want to risk it, dont go to it, continue to socially distance, and wear a mask.

This shit is another (stronger) flu. Were already seeing new strains. The people that got vaccinated this wave are probably going to need another one next winter when a new strain breaks through. And another one the winter after that. Its here to stay.

I, too, think its dumb to have full capacity. But each person gets to assess their own threshold for risk. If they want to go, have a blast. Hope they stay healthy.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Refusing to play is a tough one, but I'd keep them in the bubble the whole time they're in Texas.
I would hope they'd be doing that (keeping the players "bubbled") regardless of the crowds allowed in the ballpark. Particularly in Texas where there is no mask or social distancing mandate outside the ballpark.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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It would seem that it's not spreading as fast because of a combination of reasons, but the masks and social distancing is helping, along with fewer people traveling than when it was at its peak. It would seem to me that if it's working, why not keep it up until a majority of the people actually have the vaccine instead of easing restrictions based on the pace of the vaccinations?
The "majority" of people will never have the vaccine. And I'll make a friendly wager that a new strain will be here next winter, making this vaccination useless. We're on track for yearly Covid shots like we have flu shots. I think your baseline expectations arent going to end up being reasonable.