In Arizona, there is an interesting experiment going on — a bubble inside the surging AZ pandemic.

It involves University of Arizona football players.

We hear a lot about college students being infectious.

At the Univ of Washington, 136 covid-positives in 15 frat houses…

2/ The University of Arizona, in Tucson ( @uarizona) started bringing football players back for conditioning workouts on June 8 — almost 6 weeks ago.

83 players, in three phases.
28 staff members on campus working with them.

Players tested on arrival, and every Monday.

3/ The players are doing small-group conditioning workouts, thinly space in gyms and also outdoors.

They live mostly off campus. UArizona provides some meals — not traditional training table fare, but boxed meals.

What's been happening?

4/ One player tested positive shortly after arrival.

Two more tested positive since workouts started.

3 total. All isolated. All have tested negative and returned to workouts.

No spread. No additional cases. No staff members tested positive. https://www.washington.edu/news/2020/06/30/uw-public-health-seattle-king-county-responding-to-coronavirus-cases-in-greek-system/

5/ I talked to UArizona athletic director Dave Heeke this week.

As the pandemic has surged across AZ, UArizona has paused bringing student athletes back to campus for their typical summer conditioning & training.

But all 83 football players, with 28 training staff, remain.

6/ Heeke was quietly proud that the 83 students and 28 staff are working in the new conditions (10 people in a gym that might normally have 50, for instance), successfully.

He was clear that football players — all college athletes — are really motivated to follow the rules.

7/ They want school to come back in session, they want to play their sports, they don't want to get sick.

But just a reminder that it is possible — or so it seems at this moment — to design a program where people work together, and stay safe.

8/ And also a reminder, as we wind toward college & university re-starting in August & September, that lots of college students care about each other, and their community, and want to do the right thing.

(I'm the father of two college students...)

9/ This is not an endorsement of huge universities reopening, or small colleges reopening, or football being played in September.

I'm glad I don't have to make those very hard decisions.

Just a positive example, to balance some less attentive behavior.

Testing. Care. Masks.

10/ Speaking of masks: UArizona athletes are required to wear masks *at all times* on campus, including in the gym during workouts, per @Dave_Heeke.

All the time. Masks don't seem to limit the freedom of the football players.

Masks are why they are free to be on campus.

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