In order for there to be a football season in the fall, it’s going to take everybody’s compliance in order to enjoy watching our favorite teams.
It can’t just be up to the players.
On Sunday, Alabama center Chris Owens proved that some students still haven’t gotten the message about following the proper COVID-19 protocols as he posted a photo to Twitter of a large number of students not wearing masks while waiting in line to enter a bar.
How about we social distance and have more than a literal handful of people wear a mask? Is that too much to ask Tuscaloosa? pic.twitter.com/gZ4MbbmBZn
— Chris Owens (@BGChrisOwens) August 16, 2020
As expected the photo garnered a great deal of criticism towards those who still aren’t wearing masks despite the virus existing within the country for over six months.
Even Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne voiced his displeasure of the unmasked students.
Who wants college sports this fall?? 🏈⚽️🏐🏃🏼♀️🏃🏿
Obviously not these people!! 🤦🏼♂️
We’ve got to do better than this for each other and our campus community. Please wear your masks!😷 pic.twitter.com/OAFocYZwin
— Greg Byrne 🥋 (@Greg_Byrne) August 16, 2020
It should be noted that out of the 30,000 students who underwent testing for their return to campus last week, just 0.83 percent of students tested positive.
The numbers are encouraging, but all it takes is a hand full of people to let their guard down for the virus to resurface.
There has been no announcement on any actions being taken by the university to discipline those who are not following the guidelines. But the school has already put out a list of possible punishments for first, second and third time offenders of students who are not following its laid out COVID-19 safety protocols.
For first time violations, the students will receive a written warning from the university, a second violation results in a formal conduct charge. Anyone who commits a third violation will see another conduct charge along with the possibility of disciplinary probation that can suspend a student for one whole year.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
