Dec. 20, 2020
What it might take to reopen Bills Stadium to fans for playoffs
Two of the first words Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo uttered on Sunday's media call were: "Go Bills."
"I would like to be at that game – a playoff game – as much as anyone," he said, the day after the Buffalo Bills became AFC East Division champs. "This has been a long time coming for Buffalo, and there are no fans like Buffalo Bills fans."
Cuomo holds the keys to the stadium when it comes to allowing fans to attend games in person, and so far the doors have remained locked during the pandemic.
But he reiterated his position from Friday that if state Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker agrees that there's a safe way for Bills fans to attend games, he'll allow it, once again sharing his feeling about Bills fans.
"I'm a fan of the Giants. I'm a fan of the Jets. But Buffalo, they have really stood the course for many years, and they should be as excited as they are," Cuomo said. "We need some good news, and the Bills are delivering good news."
He also said the state has received the Bills' stadium reopening plan. The state is considering "some alternatives and ideas" and is comparing the Bills' plan to plans implemented at other league stadiums of similar size.
So what might it take to get fans in the seats?
The answer depends on two independent factors: How strong is the Bills' plan to keep fans safe if they're allowed in? And how good or bad will Western New York's infection and hospitalization rates be in early January?
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
The latest map and statistics: Covid-19 statistics from state and county departments of health, as well as new data from The New York Times' national Covid-19 tracking project. Read more
WNY region hits lowest number of hospitalizations since Dec. 5: Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo reported that there were 473 Covid-19 patients in hospitals in the five-county region as of Saturday. That is the lowest number hospitalized since Dec. 5, when there were 470 people in hospitals. Read more
Unlicensed testing at East Aurora clinic highlights confusion around Covid-19 tests: As Covid-19 testing has exploded over the past eight months, both state and federal regulators have struggled to monitor the deluge of new manufacturers, vendors and health care providers offering antibody tests. Read more
What's 'close contact'? Erie County changes rules on school quarantine – again: The Erie County Health Department has loosened the rules on who has to quarantine when there’s a positive case of Covid-19 in school. Read more
Parents, children rally to reopen schools at Rath Building: Some parents and children are continuing their call to reopen schools to in-person learning, holding a downtown rally Sunday to press their case. Read more
Analysis: The problem of petitioning in a pandemic: Right now, parties are slated to begin carrying petitions for June primaries on Feb. 23, which is why candidates for major offices such as sheriff are already maneuvering for party endorsements. Read more
DEC’s Bureau of Fisheries manages against Covid-19 odds: Fish were stocked, eggs were collected, and surveys were conducted for the most part, with a few things not handled due to safety issues. Read more
Another Voice: New York vaccination plan must prioritize citizens with disabilities: Our pandemic response can no longer leave vulnerable citizens neglected and unprotected. The state must ensure priority vaccination for New Yorkers with I/DD and the dedicated staff who support them, Dr. John Kowalczyk writes. Read more
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