With more than 99 million people vaccinated with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the U.S. is closer to the finish line in achieving President Joe Biden's initial goal of 200 million Americans inoculated during his first 100 days at the White House.
Around 17% of Americans Fully Vaccinated
While nearly 100 million U.S. residents have received at least a dose of the vaccine, progress has been made in the goal of fully inoculating a hundred million Americans.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that more than 56 million people have completed their full vaccinations. The numbers are equivalent to 17% of the U.S. total population.
Hopes are high for the vaccination program's goal to be achieved before Biden walks past his 100 days in office, but with the baseball frenzy in the air, a challenge may be brewing.
Chicago officials have already warned that baseball fans will not be allowed into Wrigley Field and at Guaranteed Rate Field if COVID-19 cases in the area continue to increase.
MLB to Welcome Fans at Stadium Gradually
The Major League Baseball (MLB) is looking to kick off stadium games with fans on the stands in a gradual scheme that should help the league recover from last year's losses.
Health protocols are expected to be strictly implemented at ballparks across the United States. Individual teams have been given the authority to enforce their own protocols for fans but basic measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing should be expected.
Some health experts said the MLB's return may challenge the Biden administration's vaccination goal should coronavirus clusters be detected in baseball games.
On the other hand, some experts believe the issues may be centered on the baseball industry as some people may be hesitant in attending the games live due to fear of infection.
Professor at College of the Holy Cross and sports economics expert, Victor Matheson, said that while the idea of sports companies is to get "people addicted to their product," the pandemic's stay-at-home standard may prove to be a challenge.
Mets-Nationals Opening Pushed Back
Loyal MLB fans were ecstatic upon the announcement that the 2021 season will hold its Opening Night on Thursday. However, hopes were immediately crushed as the schedule was pushed back.
Washington Nationals manager Mike Rizzo said on Wednesday that one team player contracted COVID-19. Following contact tracing measures, four players and one coach have been quarantined.
The MLB then announced that the Opening Night game between the Nationals and the New York Mets would be postponed.
The game's new schedule has yet to be decided, but the MLB confirmed that there won't be a game on Friday either "out of an abundance of caution."
