If NFL players and staff are tested daily, why does everyone on the sideline/referees have to wear masks? Is it just for the chance that someone may not be showing symptoms or may have gotten a false negative?

Isn't the idea that all this testing is so everyone on the field and sidelines is negative?

Good question. I was just curious why every at those NFL games wears a mask when in theory, none should have COVID based on tests in the days leading up to games. Seems ridiculous.

Also most are in outdoor stadiums. Thought the need for masks was dramatically reduced outdoors

Jebber said:

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Only optics

There was actually discussion following the Sunday games on talk shows how most of the coaches were not leaving them on. Please stop, this is NOT a discussion point.

Wear mask into restaurant, take off at table.

We all know it's silly. But when you have silly rules, you do it for the businesses to stay open.

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This is exactly right. They seem to be trying to set an example for the rest of us that we should wear our masks. Forget that the majority either have them totally pulled down, or pulled down over there nose. It's all so silly.

I heard yesterday they're going to start coming down with fines on coaches who aren't following the rules. Definitely a difference from what I saw Sunday vs MNF last night.

ac04 said:

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false negatives exist. there are billions on the line so they're going overboard on safety measures to protect that investment IMO.

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Curious question- if they are tested daily, what are the chances of having consecutive false negatives?

Bassmaster said:

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I was laughing with my wife the other day about Big Brother on CBS. Those people in the Big Brother house were tested, then quarantined for weeks before going into the house and now they have been in the house for a month or so only interacting with the other 12-15 people who are clearly negative. Then when someone gets evicted, CBS makes them put on a mask to do an interview with the host who is sitting a good 15 feet away and is not wearing a mask. So ridiculous.

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The worst thing about all this is that people watch garbage like big brother.

Who said anything about them wearing them to push some conspiracy or agenda? I think we are saying how ridiculous it looks for hundreds of people who don't have COVID to half ass pretend to wear their mask.

Like someone earlier said, refs taking them off to talk to each other and players not wearing them while blocking and tackling each other for 3 hours but sort of wearing them on the sidelines is hilarious.

Which is fine. But unless they wear them 100% of the time, including during actual game play and coaches calling in plays, how effective is it really?

Aust Ag said:

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I heard yesterday they're going to start coming down with fines on coaches who aren't following the rules. Definitely a difference from what I saw Sunday vs MNF last night.

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Yep. No end to this clown world in sight.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29947222/source-raiders-jon-gruden-saints-sean-payton-fined-100k-violating-mask-protocols

Quote:

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Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden and New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton have both been fined $100,000 by the NFL for not wearing masks on the sideline during Monday night's game, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Raiders and Saints also have each been fined $250,000, the source said.

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So stupid, everyone is tested everyday so what's the point of the masks on the coaches?. Heck, the players are heaving and breathing all over them!

This would be Virtue signaling at it's finest.

Heard from Florio this AM that the mandate for coaches to wear was in place before they went to daily testing. Both Gruden and Peyton have had it already and therefore have the antibodies and wouldn't spread it (or they will and a vaccine is pointless). It's all about coaches being seen on TV. Notice not one assistant was fined. You think they all wore them perfectly? Coaches are even allowed to remove to call the play.

ORAggieFan said:

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Heard from Florio this AM that the mandate for coaches to wear was in place before they went to daily testing. Both Gruden and Peyton have had it already and therefore have the antibodies and wouldn't spread it (or they will and a vaccine is pointless). It's all about coaches being seen on TV. Notice not one assistant was fined. You think they all wore them perfectly? Coaches are even allowed to remove to call the play.

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The optics....

Just another data point showing how NFL is handling the mask thing: notice how none of the coaches in the other major sports must wear them or if they do, they rarely wear it correctly.

I get that NBA and NHL are in a bubble, but there could still be false negatives and they are indoors vs NFL outdoors. And the support staff has to wear them but not coaches for some reason. MLB managers are supposed to but it usually looks like about 50% of people in the dugout ever have them. Just shows how serious NFL is taking the mask mandate.

ExpressAg11 said:

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Just another data point showing how NFL is handling the mask thing: notice how none of the coaches in the other major sports must wear them or if they do, they rarely wear it correctly.

I get that NBA and NHL are in a bubble, but there could still be false negatives and they are indoors vs NFL outdoors. And the support staff has to wear them but not coaches for some reason. MLB managers are supposed to but it usually looks like about 50% of people in the dugout ever have them. Just shows how serious NFL is taking the mask mandate.

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Considering Belichick's mask, with a breather valve, is folded up to expose his mouth, I'd say the NFL isn't taking taking masks seriously, but is taking virtue signaling seriously.