Today In COVID-19 And The PGA Tour: Haas Positive, NBC/Comcast Accused Of "Ignoring Science"

Bill Haas became the 16th PGA Tour player to test positive for COVID-19 in advance of this week’s 2020 finale, as announced by the Tour.

PGA TOUR Statement on Bill Haas

As part of the PGA TOUR's pre-tournament screening process this week at The RSM Classic, PGA TOUR member Bill Haas tested positive for COVID-19 and has been withdrawn from the event.
 
“It’s obviously disappointing news to receive, but my focus is now on recovery and ensuring the health and well-being of my family,” said Haas. 

Haas will have the PGA TOUR’s full support throughout his self-isolation under CDC guidelines. 

Meanwhile the union representing broadcast technicians issued high praise for CBS’s efforts to keep their team healthy and safe since the PGA Tour restart, but criticized Comcast’s NBC/Golf Channel unit for not requiring testing of workers at their televised events.

From the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which also implied negotiations have broken down over testing.

Every broadcast tech who brought you #themasters was tested for COVID-19 prior, thanks to strong CBS policy.

But when those same workers go to do a @GolfChannel broadcast w/ NBC, no testing required!

Why are they ignoring science and putting workers & @PGATOUR athletes at risk? https://t.co/fbPfrNEJFe

We spent months negotiating for recurring COVID testing for @NBCUniversal's motion picture and episodic television production workers.

You're telling us that @GolfChannel broadcast techs, who bounce between networks far more frequently, shouldn't get the same access to testing?