COVID-19 Outbreak at Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium Means the Crimson Tide Have Some Explaining to Do

Even though the coronavirus is still spreading around the nation, many states are attempting to reopen in an effort to salvage the economy. One of businesses opening up to its full strength and scope is the construction industry, but with the attempt comes some bad news down in Alabama.

According to AL.com, there was an outbreak of COVID-19 among construction workers and subcontractors at Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium. More than 10 individuals have tested positive for the coronavirus, but the number could increase in the coming days.

This sounds the alarm of a lack of transparency by both Caddell Construction of Montgomery and the University of Alabama for allowing the $107 million renovation to continue as scheduled during the spread of COVID-19. Considering that 10 people have already tested positive, it's quite possible that everyone at the site has been exposed to the virus.

The construction site shut down this past weekend to do a deep cleaning, but it re-opened on Monday, because the university wants the stadium to be fully operational by the football team's season opener on Sept. 12.

Even though this news is troubling, Alabama released a statement to say that they followed proper protocol to ensure the safety of the construction workers.

“From the start of the pandemic, UA has continuously mandated that our campus contractors take all necessary steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19," read Alabama's official statement, via AL.com. "The contractors immediately adapted operations and processes, engaged in heightened cleaning, and took other protective measures for the health and safety of their employees. The University directly provided sanitation supplies, thermometers, and signage at all construction sites, and made personal protective equipment available to all contractors. Those processes, which have been in place since early March, are continuously refined based on the latest guidance from state, federal and industry leaders in order to protect the health and safety of the campus community.”

It just goes to show that everyone should take the coronavirus pandemic seriously. If states want to partially re-open the economy, they must take proper precautions to ensure no one contracts COVID-19. This incident at Bryant-Denny Stadium should serve as a cautionary tale.