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NFL, NFLPA Agree to Daily COVID-19 Testing for Two Weeks
By Russ Joy
Published:
Following a weekend of players questioning the NFL’s COVID-19 testing and safety protocols, the NFL and NFLPA have agreed to daily COVID-19 testing for the first two weeks of training camp:
The NFL and NFLPA agreed to daily COVID-19 testing for the first 2 weeks of camp, after which they’ll look at positivity rates. If the rate drops below 5% for players and Tier 1/Tier 2 individuals, they’ll move to every other day. Important deal as talks continue on other issues.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 20, 2020
This is way overdue and I imagine that were it not for the MLB labor strife and subsequent blowback from the public, we would’ve seen something similar here. Perhaps the NFL and NFLPA chose to put their collective heads together -despite what’s been a tenuous relationship over the years- to avoid any backlash from their fans.
One other point worth noting on daily testing: The NFL contracted with a national lab to make sure their testing needs didn’t take resources away from local markets, which Dr. Sills said was "a driving force for us." No negative impact on local supply for hospitals, etc.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 20, 2020
A couple of notes on the developments in these tweets: The precedent set in the NBA, NHL, and MLS for multiple negative tests makes sense insofar as the rate of false positive results have varied by the lab administering and analyzing the results. Multiple negative tests mitigates any of the margin of error. The fact that the NFL was cognizant enough to nip the “taking tests away from those who need them” bud is a positive sign that real thought went into the decision-making process.
The NFLPA released their own statement on the testing:
Our statement on Covid-19 testing procedures: pic.twitter.com/6mYF3aK0jm
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) July 20, 2020
Hopefully the season goes off without a hitch and we can watch the Eagles win the NFC East over those lameos in Dallas.
Russ Joy is a commercial editor for XLMedia PLC, co-host of Snow The Goalie: A Flyers Podcast and It's Just Wrestling Podcast, and a Philadelphia Flyers writer for CrossingBroad.com. A graduate of West Chester University of PA and California University of PA, Russ is also a husband and father of four. Follow him on Twitter: @JoyOnBroad Email: russell.joy@xlmedia.com