Major League Baseball and the Players Association agreed to the loosening of health and safety protocols for teams that have 85% of Tier 1 individuals (players, coaches, and those with direct access to them) receive the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
The various details and changes were outlined in a memo to all clubs, and manager Dave Roberts hopes the Los Angeles Dodgers will be among those that spur into action. “I’m hopeful we will,” he answered when asked if there was an expectation the Dodgers would meet the 85% requirement.
“I had mine, so I just like to speak on my personal situation. I had mine a little while ago; one of two. It’s a personal decision, but the more people that get it and if we reach that 85% threshold, we can kind of lax some things around the clubhouse and dugout, so I’m hopeful.
“But again, that’s each man’s decision.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced all citizens age 16 or older will become eligible to receive the vaccine, beginning Thursday, April 15. Multiple Dodgers have been asked about potentially receiving it, and the sentiment is to keep those matters within the team.
“I think we kind of keep those things in the clubhouse,” answered Mookie Betts when asked if he would receive the vaccine. “I think those are all kind of personal decisions, so I’ll leave it at that.”
As for whether or not he believed the Dodgers would meet the 85% goal, Betts reiterated, “These are all personal decisions for guys. They’ve got to do what’s best for them and their families. Obviously, we are all a team, but that vaccination and whole situation is a personal decision. I’d like to just leave it in the clubhouse.”
As the Dodgers were in their final week of Spring Training in Arizona, the state opened eligibility to those age 16 and older.
“I’m definitely thinking about it but don’t know what I’m going to do yet,” Justin Turner said at the time. “I still have antibodies, but I don’t know how long those will last. So there are some conversations going on with the training staff as to the pros and cons of just getting it now if there’s an opportunity to or waiting to see how long my antibodies last.
“So I’m not sure what’s going to happen yet.”
Turner also said a decision about the vaccine was a “personal” one and he declined to comment further on the likelihood of teammates receiving it.
Dodger Stadium vaccine site
Back in February, Dodger Stadium converted to a vaccination location after previously being utilized as a testing site. It is considered the largest in the state of California.
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