Health officials remind residents to avoid gatherings during Super Bowl Sunday

This weekend is Super Bowl Sunday, It will be tempting to load up on snacks and beverages and invite friends in for what is sure to be a dynamite game, possibly one for the history books between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, 

The Chiefs have a lot going for them, most notably the fact they have won 25 of their past 27 games, including last year’s Super Bowl. Oddsmakers have the Chiefs favored to win by at least a field goal Sunday, despite the game being played at the Bucs’ home, Raymond James Stadium.

But you might want to watch alone at home.

Neither local nor national health officials want the Super Bowl to turn into superspreading.

So when it comes to Super Bowl parties during the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci says people should “just lay low and cool it.”

Fauci said during TV interviews Wednesday that now isn’t the time to invite people over for watch parties, because of the possibility that they are infected with the coronavirus and could sicken others.

Riverside County health officials remind residents that parties and other social gatherings make for fast ways to spread coronavirus and urge the community to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday responsibly.

While hospitalizations are decreasing from the sharp December and January surge, several local hospitals are still significantly impacted, and the available percent of licensed intensive care units remains at zero.

Residents should limit possible exposure to the virus by reducing the number of people they have contact with during Super Bowl Sunday. If residents do attend gatherings, they should wear a mask, avoid shared utensils, and keep six feet of distance from people outside of their household.

“We’re not out of the woods yet and we don’t want to lose the progress we’ve made,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of the Riverside University Health System – Public Health. “If we all continue to wear masks, keep six feet of distance from others, and get vaccinated, then we can make it back faster to these important pastimes and traditions.”

 

Image Sources

  • Super Bowl LV: Shutterstock