August 23, 2021 · 8:30 AM

“We’re pretty secluded, and we don’t get around a lot of fans.”

Kirby Smart isn’t too worried about his team’s health when they’re on the road in Charlotte.  Back in Athens, though?  That’s different.

“With classes going back to full measure, our campus is as crowded as it’s ever been,” Smart said. “There are more people on our campus than there ever have been, so the efficiency for our players to get to class, being on buses and interacting with the student population who may not have the same vaccination rate as our team does — it’s a concern.

“It worries me, because our guys are exposed to that. We’re trying to do everything we can to not expose them to any greater risk, and we’re trying to minimize those risks as much as we can.”

Gives a whole new meaning to roster management.

63 Comments

Filed under Georgia Football, The Body Is A Temple

63 responses to ““We’re pretty secluded, and we don’t get around a lot of fans.””

  1. eethomaswfnc
    August 23, 2021 at 8:41 AM

    I thought they were all primarily taking online courses. Also, don’t they get shuttles around campus in their own set of vans controlled by the AA rather than waiting for a bus at the Tate Center? Classrooms aren’t typically going to be the problem. It’s going to be when these guys go downtown, and there’s a mix of students and locals in the night-time establishments.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. frozendawg
    August 23, 2021 at 8:48 AM

    Not a shocker that Kirby is a micromanager, most of us would not like him if he wasn’t…he’d be criticized if an outbreak occurs and we found him to be more like the currently isolated Auburn coach. Kirby mitigating risk is music to my ears as we near 9/4…

    Liked by 4 people

  3. bucketheridge
    August 23, 2021 at 8:49 AM

    This is the PSA we need from Smart. Forget about telling students that the vaccine is safe and prevents the spread of COVID. Tell them that it’s their duty to do all that they can to keep the Dawgs healthy!

    Liked by 8 people

  4. Biggen
    August 23, 2021 at 8:57 AM

    Do we need to be worrying about this if the vaccinate rate is 90%+ as Kirby has said. The entire point of the vaccination is to get on with our lives. Not continue to be beholden to social distancing B.S.

    Here is a Justin Robertson pic from his instagram (taken from another message board): https://i.imgur.com/JrJDtIx.jpg

    These kids are interacting outside of the football facility. Going to gas stations, supermarkets, house parties, etc… They aren’t secluded in bubbles as Kirby probably wishes he could. BTW, look at the far left in that picture and you can see DW) in a boot and scooter. Bummer…

    Liked by 1 person

    • Gaskilldawg
      August 23, 2021 at 9:15 AM

      No vaccine can prevent infection. A vaccine fights a virus once the virus is in a body. The Covid-19 vaccines do not create a barrier over the nose keeping aerosols out Covid-19 Delta

      Liked by 5 people

      • Gaskilldawg
        August 23, 2021 at 9:19 AM

        The vaccines protect the players from the harm from infection. A vaccinated person can still test positive so a vaccinated player would still have to quarantine.

        Liked by 2 people

      • Biggen
        August 23, 2021 at 9:51 AM

        I understand that. But just because something CAN happen doesn’t mean it will. I could get in a car wreck and die driving to work. But I probably won’t.

        All I’m saying is that we have to move on from acting like frightened birds over the virus and every little sneeze or cough. Go get your shot and live you life already like you did before. That is the whole god damn point of the vaccine.

        Liked by 3 people

        • amurraycuh
          August 23, 2021 at 9:57 AM

          Once you figure out how to get everyone to “Go get your shot” the rest is as easy as you imply.

          Liked by 3 people

        • Dawg in Austin
          August 23, 2021 at 12:16 PM

          I did just that and I’m sitting here typing this with covid after going to an outdoor concert without a mask. Delta can beat the vaccine, so until enough people get vaccinated and the spread subsides because of that, being vaccinated does not let you live your life normally again. Just a PSA from someone who knows.

          Liked by 5 people

  5. moe pritchett
    August 23, 2021 at 9:04 AM

    Masks? Maybe or maybe not.
    Both arguments are a can of worms because of infection rates of each, so an opinion is worth $3.99 or a Happy Meal. But a mask and vaxx are probably the best protection against a backlash on CKS should a kid or a coach test positive.

    How’s that for dodging the old conversation committal bullet?

    Like

  6. jcdawg83
    August 23, 2021 at 9:06 AM

    If there was ever a statement that says the vaccine is ineffective, this is it.

    Liked by 1 person

    • 79dawg
      August 23, 2021 at 9:15 AM

      Will be interesting to see if the league sticks to the “if you don’t have enough players, you forfeit” and applies it to a team that is 90+% vaccinated but still has a “breakthrough case” outbreak or lots of guys out for contact tracing….

      Like

    • Gaskilldawg
      August 23, 2021 at 9:23 AM

      Wrong. The vaccine is very effective as to what vaccines do. Vaccines are not an invisible condom that keeps airborne particals from entering your nose. Vaccines “create” antibodies that attack the virus once the virus is in the body. Every vaccine operates that way.

      Liked by 12 people

      • jcdawg83
        August 23, 2021 at 4:30 PM

        I know exactly how vaccines work, or are supposed to work. The polio vaccine did not allow people to get a less severe case of polio and the smallpox vaccine did not allow people to get a less severe case of smallpox. Both vaccines stop the vaccinated person from becoming sick from the viruses. The same is true for the MMR vaccine given to children.

        If this COVID “vaccine” were truly effective, there would be no talk of booster shots being needed. A true vaccine renders a person safe from contracting the disease vaccinated against. I suggest we call the Chinese and ask them what to do since we don’t seem to hear of any cases in China anymore.

        Like

        • vernefundquist
          August 23, 2021 at 4:40 PM

          This is incorrect and not how those vaccines work/worked. From the CDC website on smallpox vaccine:

          “Smallpox vaccination can protect you from smallpox for about 3 to 5 years. After that time, its ability to protect you decreases. If you need long-term protection, you may need to get a booster vaccination. Find out who should get smallpox vaccine. Historically, the vaccine has been effective in preventing smallpox infection in 95% of those vaccinated. In addition, the vaccine was proven to prevent or substantially lessen infection when given within a few days after a person was exposed to the variola virus.”

          Here is the link: https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/vaccine-basics/index.html

          Liked by 2 people

          • jcdawg83
            August 23, 2021 at 10:12 PM

            Smallpox was eradicated from the Earth because the vaccine prevented people from getting it so it died out in the human population. There are still smallpox virus and spores stored at the CDC and in military labs in the US and Russia (probably China too). Humans today would have zero immunity to smallpox if it were introduced into the population. Unless some country or organization weaponizes and releases smallpox into the public, there is zero chance of anyone getting smallpox.

            95% effectiveness is about the best medicine can hope for, especially considering the vaccine prevented the vaccinated from getting the disease entirely. If the smallpox vaccine had been as effective as the COVID vaccine has been, smallpox would still be a major health problem for humans.

            Like

    • debbybalcer
      August 23, 2021 at 9:39 AM

      No it is not vaccinated people are not dying it is effective. The virus can infect vaccinated people but they will not have cases the require hospitalization.

      Liked by 10 people

    • fisheriesdawg
      August 23, 2021 at 10:37 AM

      Currently in my home in Hall County, 86% of the positive COVID cases in the hospital system are not vaccinated. If there was ever a statement that says the vaccine is effective, this is it.

      Liked by 9 people

  7. dudemankind
    August 23, 2021 at 9:33 AM

    So basically, a team that is 95% vaccinated can still all be exposed to COVID and test positive for the virus, all while showing no symptoms, and end up having to forfeit a game due to quarantining. Buckle up everyone because this year should get interesting.

    Liked by 4 people

    • 79dawg
      August 23, 2021 at 9:42 AM

      Yeah, per my comment above, that was my takeaway also. All the angst over who is vaccinated and what percentage, but nonetheless still subject to the winds of fate and fortune… (Or as someone we all know and love used to call the bitch, Old Lady Luck!)

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Illini84
    August 23, 2021 at 10:32 AM

    Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine wins full FDA approval, potentially persuading the hesitant to get a shot.

    Liked by 2 people

    • fisheriesdawg
      August 23, 2021 at 10:40 AM

      It’ll get some more on the margins, but most of those folks don’t trust the FDA here. If you’re going to believe wild conspiracies about the shot, it’s not much of a leap to think that specific agency of the federal government is in on the conspiracy.

      Liked by 2 people

      • bmacdawg87
        August 23, 2021 at 11:07 AM

        I think the ones you’re referring to (conspiracy theorists) are the ones on the margins. The smallest minorities/extremists at either end, tend to be the most vocal. I think this is huge. I’m young and healthy in my 30s and since learning that the vaccine doesn’t do anything further to protect anyone other than myself, have been hesitant to take anything without FDA approval. I’m going to get the Pfizer shot today.

        Liked by 3 people

    • Don in Mar-a-Lago
      August 23, 2021 at 11:55 AM

      Like

    • Dylan Dreyer's Booty
      August 23, 2021 at 3:45 PM

      Persuasion is not likely; however, because the FDA has approved it, employers of all types, the military and especially health care can be require those people to get the shot. It’s incredible to me that there are health care workers refusing it. Darwinism marches on. 😕

      Liked by 2 people

  9. timberridgedawg
    August 23, 2021 at 10:47 AM

    The vaccination reduces the symptoms and for the vast majority keeps folks out of the hospital but it was never going to prevent infection. The point was to keep people out of the hospital and minimize the risk of death. It seems to be pretty effective on that count. There are breakthroughs but nothing compared to the hospitalization rates for the non vaccinated.

    A lot of people were asymptomatic naturally, now throw the vaccinated crowd in the mix and you’ve got the makings of Typhoid Mary scenario. Eventually everybody is going to come in contact with it and opening up everything will accelerate it. I don’t see how players are going to avoid testing positive even if a positive test is the only symptom.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. practicaldawg
    August 23, 2021 at 11:08 AM

    [Checks the numbers in Florida]

    Liked by 4 people

  11. Tim B
    August 23, 2021 at 11:10 AM

    If covid cases in colleges reflect what we are seeing in the public school systems then we can expect Covid to be a lot more widespread this year than last and yes, it will impact games.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. uga97
    August 23, 2021 at 11:52 AM

    Spiderman costume or virtual. Pick 1 only.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. 69Dawg
    August 23, 2021 at 12:38 PM

    This whole thing just screams that Georgia will Georgia with this loaded team and get bounced by contact tracing. I’m use to being Mr. Worst Case Scenario when it comes to Georgia sports.

    Like

  14. Brent Henry
    August 23, 2021 at 1:20 PM

    https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ncaa-issues-guidance-on-covid-19-protocols-as-2021-college-football-season-draws-near/

    “The NCAA recommends not testing fully-vaccinated players and coaches unless they are symptomatic”

    Knowledge is power….
    Go Dawgs!

    Liked by 2 people

  15. ugafidelis
    August 24, 2021 at 7:22 AM

    Wow. Two CoVid threads in a row that didn’t get shut down. I’m impressed y’all!

    Like