It is a surreal time around the world as the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to dominate public discourse. Globally, the disease has forced world leaders to urge citizens to stay indoors and self-quarantine in an attempt to slow down the spread of the virus, but cases continue to mount as testing becomes more readily available.
Coronavirus has forced the closure of numerous businesses and shops, putting countless people out of work and scrambling to meet ends meet. In the United States, however, there are still people being asked to work amidst the pandemic.
For example, construction on the Los Angeles Rams’ new home, SoFi Stadium, has yet to cease even after it was reported that an unnamed worker has tested positive for COVID-19. According to Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times, some have already expressed their frustration:
“If our safety was the most important thing, they wouldn’t have us out here,” a tile layer said before getting news of the positives. “Everybody is talking about it. Your focus isn’t 100% on your work. You have that in the back of your head. … We feel like we’re invisible.”
One worker suggested that more protection needs to be provided while another admitted that they still need the compensation to survive:
“If they want to get the stadium done, they need to provide something to minimize the risk of exposing anyone,” an electrician said. “It doesn’t take much to realize how big this [problem] could be.”
“Everyone is a little nervous,” a second electrician said, “but we need the money.”
While the workers are wearing masks, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN is reporting they are feeling a bit guilty that those masks aren’t going to hospitals in need:
Further, I'm told by a worker that they've been instructed by safety officers on site to wear N95 masks if they are within 6 feet of another worker, however, workers have expressed that those N95 masks should be going to hospitals for medical workers.
— lindseythiry (@LindseyThiry) April 1, 2020
SoFi Stadium, which is set to become the new home for the Rams and Los Angeles Chargers beginning in the 2020 NFL season, has a slate of concerts scheduled with Taylor Swift being one the headliners. However, the coronavirus outbreak may either delay or outright cancel those events given the evolving situation.
So far, the virus has yet to truly affect the NFL as the offseason still started on time and the 2020 NFL Draft is still scheduled to take place in April, but without any public events taking place. Despite that, there could be major changes to the upcoming season if the pandemic does not see any progress in the coming weeks and months.
Other major American professional sports leagues have already seen their seasons suspended or postponed, and the NFL is next in line assuming things do not get better. Hopefully everyone’s effort to practice social distancing will pay off and we can see some normalcy sooner rather than later.
