Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina State University opened their football season at home Thursday night with Carter-Finley Stadium at full capacity and with masks optional for vaccinated spectators, but stadium staff didn't ask for proof of vaccination.
Thursday's game was the first full-capacity game at the stadium in more than a year, as 52,633 people were in attendance at the 57,000-capacity stadium to see NCSU romp South Florida 45-0. Last season, the coronavirus pandemic limited attendance at the stadium to only 350 people, mostly players' relatives.
While the mostly unmasked crowd doesn’t break the local health rules, it does toe the line, health experts say. Masks are strongly encouraged at large scale outdoor events in Wake County.
While fans told WRAL News that they feel safe and are going to be smart, Dr. David Wohl, infectious disease expert at UNC Health, says the risk of a large, in-person event is evident and avoidable.
"It’s impossible for not one of them to have COVID, and it’s also very, very likely that some of the people have COVID in their nose and throat don’t know it, whether they are vaccinated or not," he said.
Before Thursday, the two schools hadn’t met since 2014, when the Wolfpack won 49-17.
Tony Pennix, father of NCSU player Trent Pennix, got to attend a few games last year when only families were admitted, but know's Thursday's game will be more like a typical atmosphere you see most years at Carter-Finley. Pennix said he is vaccinated against COVID-19 and that gives him some peace of mind.
"It feels like it's starting all over again," Pennix said before the game. "We're back in Carter-Finley Stadium, all the fans, all the parents, all the Wolfpackers are out here."
Everyone is required to wear masks in indoor spaces, including restroom facilities. Masks are required at all times for unvaccinated people, which, according to data from the state Department of Health and Human Services, are about 42% of the population ages 18 and up.
Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also have zero restrictions on stadium capacity for their home games this year. The Blue Devils open on the road, at Charlotte Friday. Their first home game comes Sept. 10 against North Carolina A&T. The Tar Heels play at Virginia Tech on Friday. Their home opener is Sept. 11 against Georgia State.
"If I was not vaccinated I would be very, very reluctant to go to any public gathering where there’s a lot of people because I could not only catch it but I could get really, really, really sick," Wohl said.
To reduce person-to-person contact, concession stands at Carter-Finley now take debit or credit cards only.
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Masks optional, risk guaranteed for capacity crowd as NC State opens football season - WRALSportsFan.com
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