So much of the continued escalation of COVID is focused, and it seems rightfully so, on the issue of wearing a mask or not. As someone who has lost one friend to this disease, and came damn near close to losing another one, the simple issue of putting on a mask seems pretty simple. I was reminded of the ease of use when driving on Thursday night when a sign on the Garden State Parkway pointed out that it took just three seconds…three seconds…to do something which at one point was seen as taboo and an unfortunate overstepping of ones bounds…putting on a seat belt.
Now, as the data shows us, the idea of putting on a seat belt saves thousands of lives every year. The proof is in the numbers. Back to masks in public. The data, not to mention common sense, is also leading the same way. So why won’t people comply? It looks weird? It feels funny? It won’t happen to me. It’s just like a cold? C’mon. Grow up.
So, let’s make it a game, and lead by example. We have started to see coaches, many of whom have bigger influence over people that medical professionals, start to take the reins in the hopes that people comply, numbers in key states like Florida, stabilize, and then somehow fans show up for college football games especially in safe conditions. This week, as pointed out by Brett McCormick at Sports Business Journal, Tennessee’s Phil Fulmer helped share a social campaign with steps need to get people to hit and then attend a game at Neyland Stadium Florida head coach Dan Mullen at the University of Florida has done press events wearing a mask…and more are needed to take that step.
How about having masks lead fan incentive programs? We have seen Las Vegas casinos start to offer credits for gamblers who wear masks on to the casino floor, lets encourage schools, teams and other to push forward and reward people for the simple act of helping save lives. And how about a World record? How about creating a social distanced and safe competition for schools, or teams…when it is allowed, for the most fans wearing a mask at a game? You can even brand or co-grand the mask messaging.
So much came out of Michael Rubin’s first adopter stance in recreating jerseys into masks for first responders when all began in earnest in March…how about another initiative not just to sell masks but to get people to wear them at games, practices, even if so allowed, fan club events? More masks, more safe camaraderie, more rallying as games return, and little stigma (not that there is any).
Millions get behind incentive campaigns when leaders in sport push through. We are seeing it with Black Lives Matter and have seen it with everything from drunk driving and mental health issues to Coaches with Cancer. Now let’s make it fun and impactful behind a mask.
It’s time to wear em, and make a difference, and coaches can really drive the discussion and adoption. The time is now, before it get’s worse and if we really want fans in the stands. Their endorsement makes it less uncomfortable and makes it part of a cause, one really needed.
