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COVID-19 has been the reality of our lives in the United States for nearly a year and a half now. It doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon either. A virus that has claimed countless lives and has impacted the financial and social constructs of the country will continue to play a role in how society operates in the fall of 20212.
As positive cases and hospitalizations soar in recent weeks, many cities and states across the countries are working to determine how to combat this recent surge. Universities will have to figure out how best to address it for the safety of their student bodies.
According to Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports, Tulane University looks to be the first to require proof vaccination or a negative PCR test within 72 hours to gain admittance to athletic events on campus.
Tulane becomes the first known FBS college to require vaccines or negative tests for home games this year. Will be interesting to see if any schools follow. Tulane hosts Oklahoma to open the season. https://t.co/1wt3DBm9mr
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 12, 2021
The Oklahoma Sooners will travel to play the Tulane Green Wave on September 4th in New Orleans. With testing procedures already in place for the Sooners, it’s unlikely this will affect Oklahoma all that much.
When speaking to the media, D.J, Graham estimated that 90% of the team was vaccinated. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated players will submit to testing and the schools must meet certain thresholds to play or games may be subject to forfeit.
Those it may impact are fans hoping to make the trip for the game. Regulations stipulate that proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of game time — and not the antigen testing that’s done more rapidly — will be required to enter.
Questions will soon turn to capacity levels in stadiums as states look to stem the rate of positive tests and hospitalizations.