The Buffalo Bills and local government announced after the team’s home opener that a new COVID-19 vaccination mandate would be put in place for fans looking to attend future home games.
After that, some 700 season ticket holders decided to get a refund before this past Sunday’s contest against the Washington Football Team. That game was the first with the new rules in place.
One update appears to be positive, but below the surface, we still have plenty of questions.
According to the Erie Country Department of Health, only four fans were asked to leave the game for failing to have proper proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. But there’s also rumblings that checks for vaccines weren’t up to par.
Posts on social media from Bills fans indicated that some flashed… just about anything to those checking for vaccination proof.
Even simple receipts from local stores, which is clearly not proper proof of vaccination, were shown. They were still allowed in.
A report via WGRZ-TV in Buffalo backed this claim, stating on Monday:
“To many fans though, it felt like there wasn’t a lot being done to verify the authenticity of the proof being shown.
As they approached the gates fans were asked to produce a CDC card or a mobile app to prove they’d received at least one dose of the shot.
But it did not appear they were being asked for proof, such as ID, that the health information they were displaying was theirs.”
The report also added that five fans “were unable to produce sufficient documentation and were denied further entry.” Regardless, the number four or five is still extremely low when more that 68,000 were there to watch the game.
Adding to speculation was the sighting of noted anti-vaccination observes at the game. That includes wife of Bills safety Jordan Poyer, Rachel Bush.
On numerous occasions via social media, she has stated she is against vaccination requirements and is “pro-choice.”
It’s unclear if guests of players, like players themselves, are subject to vaccination checks.
In Week 4, the Bills play at Highmark Stadium once again, versus the Houston Texans. Following another questionable job by the Bills in terms of enforcing rules, this situation will likely be watched once again.
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