As the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be easing in the United States, just how comfortable are you about going back to work or church?
What about sending your kids back to school?
Assuming you have been fully vaccinated, are you ready to go to Giant Eagle on Monday without a mask covering your face?
Would your answer be different if it involved tickets to see the Penguins in a playoff game next week? I would wager that for many in Pittsburgh, the answers are different.
A survey from March found most American office workers want to get back to normal – but with a catch. Those who break COVID rule can be fired.
Joe Du Bey is the CEO of Eden Workplace. His company conducted the survey of 1,000 office workers.
"The survey showcases just how strong the national demand is among employees to return to the office, but also how insistent they are that employers provide a safe environment," said Du Bey. "It is clear that people miss seeing their colleagues, and I also believe that a more flexible future is desired with a shift to the hybrid office."
But do they feel the same way about going to an NHL playoff game? I doubt it.
Think about it.
What if your neighbor came and knocked on your door Sunday afternoon with four tickets to the Pens' game against the Islanders. Would you go? Would you hesitate? Tell them you will get back to them after you have a family meeting with your spouse and the kids? Some would. Many more would not.
Do we have a double standard? Do we have one set of standards for going to work or school or church -- but toss them out the window when our favorite team is in town?
Things are changing rapidly. Between game one and game two of the Penguins/Islanders series, the capacity limits at PPG Paints Arena doubled. Next month, the Pirates will up their capacity at PNC Park from 7,500 people to 22,000 fans. They will expand to full capacity on July 1. The Steelers and the NFL expect full capacity crowds in the fall.
There is a mystical lure to being in the stands to watch your favorite team. Watching the Pirates. Cheering for the Pens. Screaming your heart out for the Steelers. There's something magical about pulling on your black and gold jersey or t-shirt and joining thousands of other rabid fans to make sure your team knows you support them.
Can't wait until we can do that without thinking twice about it.
