The sports world has felt the impact of COVID-19 as professional sports leagues, colleges and high schools across the world suspended operations.
Now, months afterwards, sporting events are beginning to reopen. Car racing, professional soccer leagues, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and professional golf have started back up.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is set to resume play towards the end of July and the National Football League (NFL) is set to begin its season in the fall along with some other college sports. However, most collegiate conferences will only be allowing conference play to limit travel for sports teams.
Nascar was among the first groups to offer live events again, although capacity is limited. Other sporting events have decided to continue competition without fans present.
On July 15, University of Idaho Athletic Director Terry Gawlik announced fans would be able to watch Vandal Football this fall in the Kibbie Dome. Capacity will be limited to 5,100 fans with adjustments to the seating chart. As Idaho continues to navigate its way through the COVID-19 pandemic, is adjusted in-person attendance the best way to keep fans safe?
Sports organizations have argued over allowing fans to come back despite increasing case numbers. With students returning from across the country for in-person classes this fall, the danger of spreading COVID-19 increases.
Even with limited attendance, many students and other members of the Vandal community look forward to attending games. Older members of the community and those with pre-existing health conditions are at a much higher risk of complications after contracting COVID-19. The intermingling between students and community members at sports events could cause the virus to spread to high-risk individuals.
This pandemic is refusing to slow down. There are still so many risks associated with the decision to allow fans at live events. Even if safety precautions are taken, it’s impossible to predict what could happen.
In-person sporting events are great and all, but is the risk of infecting our community members worth it?
Armin Mesinovic can be reached @arg-sports@uidaho.edu or on Twitter @arminmesinovic