Monroe Republican Senator Stewart Cathey blasted LSU’s decision to require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter Tiger Stadium this fall. Cathy said the policy is an overreach and inconvenient for fans.
“It’s an additional cost incurred to fans when it is already expensive to go see the Tigers play,” said Cathey. ”You know what, hey maybe sometimes we should do stuff for the fans.”
LSU athletic director Scott Woodward says the vaccine mandate is to ensure the fans’ experience in Tiger Stadium is safe.
State health leaders like LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal celebrated the news saying it ensures a safe environment for fans and the policy means there is little chance of anyone catching COVID at the game.
Cathey disagreed with that view of the situation saying it contradicts “stories they’ve said about how the vaccinated need to wear masks because they can still catch and transmit COVID.” He said this policy has no historical precedent.
“We don’t require anything else close to this type of mandate with regards to any other vaccinations to come to any sporting event,” said Cathey who added that he believes by September 11th that the COVID situation in Louisiana will be much better. “We’re starting to see positive steps taken to combat COVID and by kickoff in two weeks I think that we are going to be in a much better place than we are now.”
COVID-related hospitalizations are down a bit from last week but saw a slight jump Tuesday after five straight days of declines. The 2,856 people statewide in the hospital with COVID is about 800 people higher than at any point during the previous three waves.
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