With the fall season comes football, however, this year is a bit different due to Covid-19 protocols. During “normal” year, many people would go to State College to watch Penn State football games and tailgate around the stadium, which brought large crowds – something that is unacceptable in the era of a worldwide pandemic. This season, football will go on both NFL and BIG 10, therefore, most people will want to celebrate. 

According to USA Today, “Many schools are opting to have stadiums empty. Others are allowing fan attendance, albeit with a significantly limited percentage of seats to be filled. Most will have bans on the pregame gatherings outside the stadium that could make social distancing difficult.”

Limited people are essential when gathering to watch and celebrate football, and if a gathering grows, masks would also limit the spread of the virus. Everyone can bring their own food and beverages to prevent excessive sharing. Hand sanitizers, gloves, and tongs are also helpful for distribution of food and drinks. 

Another thing to be cautious about is going out to restaurants to eat. Restaurants will draw a large crowd on game days, therefore being extra cautious is essential when dining in. Make sure to wear a mask when entering restaurants before seating, use hand sanitizer, and wash your hands. 

The opposing teams will also draw crowds from out of town. People getting hotel rooms over night after watching the game, eating out at restaurants, and having tailgates of their own could possibly spike the number of cases. 

Overall, it is advised you take your tailgates to the backyard and maintain social distancing and clean habits. Always wash your hands and wear a mask, and stay safe.