Wisconsin is currently one of the biggest hot spots for COVID-19 surges in the country, and the Green Bay Packers are attempting to convince the state’s residents to take one of the simplest precautions to limit the coronavirus’ spread.
On Thursday, the Packers placed masks on the statues of the franchise icons Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi located outside Lambeau Field as part of a #MaskUpWisconsin initiative.
The Packers are on the road in Week 9 and face the San Francisco 49ers in a “Thursday Night Football” matchup that interestingly enough was in jeopardy due to positive COVID-19 tests impacting both teams this week. The NFL has confirmed the game will be played, however, as there were no additional positive COVID-19 tests during Wednesday’s rounds of testing.
Lambeau Field has yet to host fans for any home Packers games this season, and it sounds like that trend will continue for at least the short term. On Wednesday, Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy indicated as much.
“It is important to note that public health officials have said we can make a difference relatively quickly by strict adherence to wearing masks, socially distancing and practicing proper hand hygiene,” Murphy said, via the Green Bay Press Gazette.
“We also remind fans, when watching our games, please limit the people with whom your cheer to your small circle of family or close friends,” Murphy said.
Concerning the Packers making the move to get Wisconsin to mask up, the state’s Department of Health Services reported a record-breaking 5,935 new cases on Election Day earlier this week. Wednesday’s results brought another record-breaking day, with 5,935 new cases and 54 deaths, bringing the state’s death toll to 2,156.
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