With eye on more fans in stands, the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates urge people to get covid vaccine
Representatives of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers and Penguins joined U.S. Sen. Bob Casey on Friday to reiterate their commitment to help educate and facilitate vaccination of people who remain hesitant to get the covid-19 vaccine.
The teams were among the first organizations in the region to open venues to host mass vaccine clinics and will continue to be part of the effort across the region.
“The quicker we get people vaccinated, the sooner we’re going to have people at all three of our venues,” said Jimmy Sacco, the Steelers’ vice president of stadium operations and management. “We want to keep our fans safe and get back to normal.”
Casey, a Scranton Democrat, and Alison Beam, the state’s acting health secretary, thanked the teams for their work and for standing as trusted sources as the state seeks to achieve Gov. Tom Wolf’s threshold of vaccinating 70% of adults to lift the mask mandate.
About 6.5 million Pennsylvania adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Sports teams offer important outreach to some who wouldn’t otherwise be open to the message, Casey said.
A representative of Giant Eagle pharmacies who participated in Friday’s online event said the company, which partnered with the Steelers to host clinics at Heinz Field, will be part of the effort. Walk-in clinics will open at all of its pharmacies beginning Monday, said Mark Chappell, Giant Eagle’s vice president of pharmacy services and operations.
Beam commended that effort.
“Our new challenge is making sure folks understand the safety and the efficacy of the vaccine,” she said. “The call to action today is to talk to your family and talk to your loved ones about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. … Diverse voices are going to be key to getting us to 70%. As we push forward and push that hesitancy wall, the more we can do is going to be important.”
Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch offered his endorsement.
“I decided to share my story about why I feel so strongly about the vaccine. I want it to protect me and my family and the people around me,” Batch said.
As vaccination rates increase, fan options will expand.
Rich Hixon, the Penguins’ senior vice president of facilities, said the hockey team is considering expanding from its 25% capacity limit at PPG Paints Arena should the team make it beyond the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Pirates are considering a variety of options for PNC Park, said Marcy McGovern, the organization’s senior vice president of Legal and People & Culture. Options under consideration include offering a special section for vaccinated fans, completely opening the ballpark and continuing to offer social distanced sections.
Representatives for all three teams also held out the prospect of reopening their venues to concerts as vaccination levels increase and infections decrease.
“Stay tuned,” Sacco said. “Hopefully, there will be more activity at all three venues soon.”
Casey and Beam said much depends upon the remaining public response to the vaccine campaign. Beam said some 3,000 providers are now registered to receive the vaccine and will be making a push to ensure it is available in even the most remote, underserved corners of the state.
“These vaccines have been authorized by the FDA and that determination was based on the highest standards in the world,” Casey said. “No country has higher standards than we do. When you say a vaccine is safe and effective in America, it is.
“The best time to get your vaccination is now.”
Deb Erdley is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Deb at derdley@triblive.com.
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