Lotto to Watch in the Dean Dome
As North Carolina’s numbers have continued to show improvement and vaccine distribution increases, the state has eased some restrictions. The latest North Carolina guidance allows larger indoor arenas with a capacity of more than 5000 people to open at 15% capacity, as long as additional safety protocols are in place. These protocols include mask-wearing, assigned distanced seating, and a guest flow plan.
This shift means that students are eligible for in-person tickets to the UNC versus Duke home game on Saturday. Check your email for details from UNC Athletics.
Watch the Game from Afar
Even if you don’t win the lottery to attend or don’t feel comfortable attending an in-person event, a virtual watch party is happening.
Or you can set up your own virtual or in-person watch plan! The state still restricts indoor gatherings to 25 people and outdoor gatherings to 50 when not at a business or arena. While what you can do has changed, what you should do remains the same: outdoors is better than indoors, mask-wearing is better than unmasked, fewer people is better than more people. You need to find your own tolerance of risk, but the least risky option is to watch with your roommates and connect with others online.
Make your virtual celebration fun
- Wear your favorite team colors. Paint your face. Get out your team pom poms.
- Go big when setting up your viewing space:
- Overzealously decorate in your team’s colors.
- Ask to use your roommates’ monitors so you can collectively see online chatter, multiple camera angles, and your video-chatting friends all at the same time.
- Make themed snacks.
- Start a group text with your friends who are also fans.
- Challenge your friends to create the most fun team-oriented TikTok.
- Engage on Twitter, Reddit, or another online community space while you watch.
Risk Reduction for Small Gatherings
We all know gathering with people outside your household adds risk. Avoid gatherings if you can. If you do get together with people who don’t live with you – here are ways to make it safer:
- Talk about it. Have a conversation ahead of time to set expectations for the gathering.
- Gather outdoors. It’s safer than gathering indoors. Use a projector to broadcast the game. If indoors, open windows and doors if possible.
- Distance yourselves. Sit at least 6 feet away from people who don’t live with you. Avoid direct contact like hugs and high fives with those not from their household.
- Wear masks with more than two layers over their nose and mouth that fits snugly against the sides of the face. Bring a spare mask (or a few) in case yours gets wet from moist breath or snow/rain, or if someone else forgets theirs.
- Avoid shouting, cheering loudly, or singing. We get mad at Coach K too! Hold in those hollers and instead clap, stomp your feet or use handheld noisemakers.
- Remember that people without symptoms as well as those with a recent negative test can still spread COVID.
- Wash your hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds – especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, and visiting with others, as well as before eating.
- Avoid touching your face including mask, eyes, nose, and mouth.
- BYO food, drinks, and plates/cups/utensils (and mask!).
- It’s ok to stay home. Do what’s best for you, and definitely stay home if you’re sick or have been near someone who thinks they may have been exposed.
And when we #BeatDuke, also #BeatCOVID by not rushing Franklin Street. Might we suggest instead going onto your porch or driveway, banging pots and pans, and yelling “Tar” and “Heel” back and forth with all of Chapel Hill?
#GoHeels #BeatDuke #BeatCOVID
UNC Healthy Heels 