NFL teams, like the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns, are being hit hard by COVID right now. It's not just the NFL, though. The NBA is dealing with outbreaks. Everyone is feeling the impact as the Omicron variant continues to spread. As a response, the NFL announced updated COVID-19 protocols, effective immediately, to subdue the effects of the outbreaks.
As seen during the San Francisco 49ers' coach and player availability on Thursday (see fullback Kyle Juszczyk below), NFL players and personnel must now wear masks regardless of vaccination status. In addition, teams must conduct all meetings remotely or outdoors. In-person meals have been eliminated. Lastly, no outside visitors are allowed during team travel.
#49ers OW @JuiceCheck44 supporting his teammate, @19problemz with his Deebo sweatshirt. pic.twitter.com/IlaOBLDfvv
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) December 16, 2021
The NFL is doing what it can. The 49ers have been lucky ... so far. Their last positive COVID case came on July 28, before the season started. They've been one of the least-impacted teams thus far, and hope that continues as they make a playoff push down this final stretch of games.
Is there something the NFL could have done differently to lessen the impact we are seeing?
"I don't know what they can do [different]," Shanahan said on KNBR's Murph & Mac show. "We do it as hard as any business there is in the country, [with] how much we test, how good we are at it. You're going to have some issues, just like you are everywhere in the country.
"We had a few issues last year, losing all those guys the day before our Thursday-night game versus Green Bay. But we've been very fortunate this year. We haven't had one this year since training camp, so each place is in a different situation. But just like all stuff, you're going to go through some ups and downs through COVID, like people did last year, like people are this year."
Shanahan doesn't want to brag about the fact that the 49ers haven't had a player testing positive for COVID since training camp. He knows that can change at any point. The coach doesn't believe they are doing anything different from the rest of the league. They've just been fortunate.
"I don't know much about it, but I don't think it's changing anytime soon," Shanahan continued. "I see it the same as everybody's work. You want to work. You want to keep your business going, and you're going to do everything you can not to shut your restaurant down, not to shut whatever your business is down, and I see ours as no different.
"We've got to earn a living for everybody. It's not just the owners. It's not just the players. It's not just the coaches. It's everybody involved with sports. To me, it's just like everybody else. So you're going to do everything you can to keep that going."
Shanahan and his Tier 1 and Tier 2 staff will all have received their booster shots by next week. For players, like the vaccine itself, that remains a personal decision. On Wednesday, Shanahan noted that all but one 49ers player is vaccinated. That's good news for the team.
"I definitely think there's some frustration in the locker room, especially because we've been clean this whole year," Juszczyk said Thursday via Kirk Larrabee. "We haven't even sniffed COVID here, and we've been following all the rules we've been given. So it's a little frustrating. We hate to see things going backwards. We felt like we were moving in the right direction. I'll stay positive and say hopefully these regulations get more guys playing on Sunday."
The 49ers have four games remaining on the regular-season schedule, starting with this weekend's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The team has won four of its last five games and five of the last seven. The 49ers will need to keep winning to ensure they don't drop out of the NFC playoff picture. They'll also need to continue being smart when it comes to COVID and ensure they are being as safe as they have been.
"I'm glad it hasn't happened to us," Shanahan added. "I hope it doesn't happen. But if it does, it's part of this deal. I think those other guys are trying to avoid it too. I don't think they're just throwing parties or anything. But you hope you have better luck in that situation."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Shanahan below.
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