Tag: Dr. Thom Mayer

NFLPA urges players not to practice together due to increased COVID-19 cases

The NFLPA’s medical director, Dr. Thom Mayer, has urged players not to practice together due to increased COVID-19 cases around the nation.

In light of the increase in COVID-19 cases around the nation, the NFLPA is now urging players not to practice together during private workouts to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

A number of players around the league have already tested positive for the disease.

The players’ union issued a statement from its medical director, Dr. Thom Mayer, on Friday.

“Please be advised that it is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in Covid-19 cases in certain states that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts,” Mayer wrote. “Our goal is to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months.”

“We are working on the best mitigation procedures at team facilities for both training camps and the upcoming season, and believe that it is in the best interest of all players that we advise against any voluntary joint practices before training camp commences,” Mayer continued, before concluding his statement with, “Be safe.”

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Dr. Fauci, the NFL and the players’ union weigh in on testing protocols

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the NFL and the players’ union have weighed in on testing protocols for the coronavirus and all three seem to be at odds.

The National Football League is desperately trying to find a way to put its product on the field in 2020, however, the coronavirus pandemic seems to have a timeline of its own.

On Thursday, one of the nation’s leading medical experts – Dr. Anthony Fauci – gave his thoughts on whether or not football is likely to be played this season.

“Unless players are essentially in a bubble – insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day – it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall,” Fauci told CNN. “If there is a second wave, which is certainly a possibility and which would be complicated by the predictable flu season, football may not happen this year.”

The NFL responded shortly thereafter with a statement from its own expert, chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills.

 

The NFLPA was also quick to respond, with a message from the union’s medical director, Thom Mayer.

All three experts seem to agree that testing will be one of the most important factors in ensuring player safety. But just exactly how the protocols will be put in place remains a major discrepancy.

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