OWASSO — Gov. Kevin Stitt is a self-proclaimed football fan.
He’s looking forward to Sept. 12 when Oklahoma’s three major universities begin their college football seasons. Stitt has already attended a high school game last week and was going to try to visit another one on Friday night.
Stitt understands that football is very important to Oklahomans.
“We’re ready to play football. As a football fan, I’ve grown up watching OU and Oklahoma State football,” Still said while in Owasso recognizing Patriot Golf Day for the Folds of Honor on Friday. “I think it’s important to get things back to normal.”
“We believe in freedoms in Oklahoma,” Stitt added. “We’re free to come and watch our favorite sport in a safe manner. You’re free to stay home if you don’t feel comfortable or (have) somebody immune-compromised in your household.
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“Oklahomans have done a good job and we’ve started flattening the curve.”
The football scoreboard numbers aren’t the only figures watched closely. The COVID-19 cases will continue to be monitored.
On Friday, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 1,013 new cases and 11 deaths from the virus on Thursday. The statewide rolling seven-day average is now at 826.
Stitt said it’s important to take the pandemic seriously.
“The three Ws are watch your distance, wash your hands and wear a mask when can’t do that,” he said. “We want to encourage people to continue to take it seriously because we do have to get things back to normal. There’s not a cure at this point. We believe that it’s not practical to have zero cases in our state. “We’ve got to start moving forward in a safe manner. Oklahomans are doing it better than any other state. I really believe that.”
Stitt thinks football fans will be safe because of the measures put in place, which includes allowing just 25% capacity allowed at OU and OSU.
“Safety-wise, I know that they are doing everything they can to keep people safe,” Stitt said. “They’re spreading out the stadium … I’m sure a large portion of people will be wearing masks when they come in. And remember we’re watching our distance. We’re not rubbing and hugging on people and we’re washing our hands. They are sanitizing and cleaning everything.
“We expect it to be a very safe environment.”
Stitt pointed out there’s been no restrictions in Oklahoma since June 1 and that cases were “absolutely flat for the last month, (and have) actually come down.”
“Remember, that’s what we were trying to do. We were trying to build capacity, flatten the curve, and we have a flat curve right now,” Stitt said. “We obviously want cases go down to zero, but we certainly don’t want those to go up like on a hockey stick where it overruns our health care facilities.”
Stitt said he wasn’t direction involved with the local decisions on capacity, but he did have talks with Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby, who looked for feedback from each state’s governor within the conference.
“We encourage them to do it the safe way, but we have to live our lives. There’s no guarantee that COVID won’t be with us next August either,” Stitt said. “We have to take it serious. We’ve got to remember the three Ws but we’re not going to let fear drive all of our decision. We just don’t think it’s practical to bunker in place and not live our lives.”
High school football entered its second week of competition on Friday. Has Stitt received thoughts from the last week’s games?
“I have heard positive feedback. Kids are excited to get out there and play football,” Stitt said. “We were out in Guymon yesterday. Their team had to quarantine. Somebody came up with a case. That kicked them out of playing. That was a decision that they made. We leave that up to the local school boards to make those decisions.”
Playing games also brings an economic impact to a college athletics department budget, where non-revenue sports benefit from football.
Communities — large and small — also benefit either at OU (where an estimated $5 million can flow in Norman on a Saturday) to a rural high school that attracts visitors on a Friday night.
“When football’s in session, all those restaurants and all the things that happen in Stillwater and Norman and all across our state are impacted greatly,” Stitt said. “And you got to remember that with jobs, that’s what drives education funding. That’s what drives our roads and bridges and everything that we spend dollars on in the state comes from keeping our economy going.
“You have to balance that with the health and lives of Oklahomans. We’ve done that from the very beginning. Those were my first two goals and we’ve been on message the entire time, to protect the health and lives of Oklahomans. And No. 2 was to mitigate the impact to our economy.
“That’s why I’m so proud of Oklahomans and how well we’ve done so far.”
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COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
How it spreads, who's at risk
Studies have shown many infected people show no symptoms or have symptoms so mild they may go undetected; those people can still transmit COVID-19 to About 20% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 require hospitalization.
The disease can be fatal, especially for vulnerable populations: those older than 65, living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and anyone with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or obesity.
Science of virus spread
COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person. Spread is most likely when people are in close contact, within about 6 feet. A person might also be infected with COVID-19 after touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their face. According to the CDC, evidence suggests the novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces, though that form of transmission is said to be minor.
Transmission between people more than 6 feet from one another may occur in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces, the CDC says, especially where activities cause heavier breathing, such as singing or exercising.
The infectious period for patients can begin up to 48 hours before symptom onset.
List of symptoms
The CDC recently expanded its list of possible symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms can appear from two days to two weeks after exposure.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms and will continue to be updated by the CDC. One symptom not included is "purple toes," which someone may experience with no other symptoms, sometimes several weeks after the acute phase of an infection is over. The coloration and pain is caused by a lack of blood flow to the toes caused by excessive blood clotting, a late-stage concern with COVID-19 infections.
Kinds of testing
Those getting tested may experience different kinds of swabs. The viral test, known as PCR, involves a deep nasal swab that can be painful.
Other tests that require less-invasive swabs may produce results faster, but with less accuracy. These should not be used diagnostically.
It is not yet known whether COVID-19 antibodies can protect someone being infected again or how long protection might last.
The 'serious seven'
The "serious seven" refer to close contact environments where residents should take extra precautions if they choose to attend. The seven are gyms, weddings, house gatherings, bars, funerals, faith-based activities and other small events, according to Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart.
Treatments being investigated
The FDA has allowed for antiviral drug remdesivir, previously tested on humans with Ebola, to treat more severe cases of COVID-19 in adults and children. Safety and effectiveness aside, preliminary studies have shown it can shorten recovery time for some patients.
After previously approving an emergency use authorization, the FDA as of July 1 cautions against use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial. A review of safety issues includes reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.
Convalescent serum therapy
Some patients are receiving convalescent serum, meaning the antibodies made by people who have recovered after a COVID-19 infection. Antibody-rich blood plasma is being given to severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients, including Ascension St. John, Saint Francis Health System, OSU Center for Health Sciences and Hillcrest HealthCare System in Tulsa.
From June to July, requests for convalescent plasma from the Oklahoma Blood Institute multiplied seven-fold.
Recovery, as defined by CDC
To be considered recovered (without a test), these three things must happen, the CDC advises:
- No fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of normal temperature without the use of medicine)
- Other symptoms improved (no more cough, etc.)
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared
