Tedisco Sounds Alarm on “Mother of All Sports Super-Spreader Events”

Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Glenville) today is calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker to publicly report on the potential spread of COVID-19 among the more than 6,700 fans who will attend Saturday’s Buffalo Bills NFL playoff game.

The importance of publicly reporting the health impact of the virus on those who attend Saturday’s Bills game is even more important given the danger posed by the UK strain of COVID-19 found this week in Saratoga Springs, which the Governor has called a “game changer.”

Over the past week or so, the New York State Health Department has spent resources and staff time developing and implementing a rapid-testing program to pre-test potential Bills game attendees. 

“As we know, testing is imperative in battling the COVID virus. But we know that no test is 100 percent effective. That’s why we need to know the impact of the virus on those who attended, as the last thing we want is the mother of all sports super-spreader events on our hands,” said Senator Jim Tedisco.

“There’s still no disclosure from the Administration of the real number of nursing home deaths from the first wave of the virus or a testing plan so families can visit loved ones currently in nursing homes,” said Tedisco.

“Meanwhile, the Governor’s vaccination plan has been widely criticized by health professionals for failing to even come close to appropriately distributing the vaccine resulting in some cases of the vaccine being flushed down the toilet,” said Tedisco.

“This time, I’m calling on the Governor and Health Commissioner to follow-up with and publicly report the health impact on the 6,700-plus fans who attend Saturday’s Buffalo Bills game,” said Tedisco. “The need for this transparency has become even more essential given the spread of the UK strain of COVID-19, which was found in Saratoga County, which I represent. This information has to be made public and in a timely manner!” 

Senator Tedisco’s Letter to the Governor and Commissioner Zucker is attached.