Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

The New Orleans Saints are grateful to have received all the necessary approvals to host a full capacity crowd at the Caesars Superdome this season. The Saints earned the No. 1 ranking in the NFL in Health and Safety in 2020 and are following the state and local protocols for our fans to safely attend games this season.
While the city is not exclusively requiring a full vaccine for entry it is requiring either proof of a single vaccination dose or a negative Covid-19 test for our fans to attend the game (fans that are 12 and under do not need to provide any proof of vaccination or negative test result). The City of New Orleans will permit fans to enter the stadium even if they receive their first Covid-19 vaccination shot on the day of the game. The Saints will be teaming with Ochsner to provide free Covid-19 vaccinations at the Caesars Superdome for fans who wish to choose this option. Once the city ordinance was announced, the Saints/Ochsner regional vaccination program produced nearly 2,000 newly vaccinated citizens within one week. We want to thank the health care professionals who assisted on this program and all health care workers on the front lines who are fighting this disease every day. They are our true heroes.

https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/p...yabd6glkx2.jpg

We are hopeful that the city mandate is temporary and we remain optimistic that as vaccination rates increase this policy will no longer be necessary.
We appreciate the overwhelming positive feedback we have received from our season ticket holders to be a part of a full capacity Caesars Superdome. We have the best and loudest fans in the NFL and they will be counted on this season.
Last season, we made the decision to offer refunds or rollover accounts to the following season because we knew government regulations would not allow us to fulfill a full season of attendance. This is not the case this season. Based on current city and state regulations allowing full capacity, we did not plan to offer refunds for season tickets, as has been our standard policy. We have received less than 120 requests for ticket refunds as of Thursday morning and, following media inquiries and recent articles about refund policies, we have received thousands of calls from interested fans wanting to purchase any season tickets made available by current season ticket holders seeking refunds.

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Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Glad to see them do this.

Would like to see them place anyone who gave up their tickets at the top of the waiting list for next season.

There are valid why someone would choose not to be vaccinated.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

They didn't have to be vaccinated. All they had to do was have a negative test result. That is their decision. Test or give up tickets and move to the bottom of the list. It took us 15 years to go from the bottom to the point of finally getting tickets yesterday. I have no pity for them.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

I'd really be curious as to how many people that said they wanted refunds will actually follow through learning that they would lose their account completely.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

At least 2 I’d say.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

You know someone personally? Cool. The more that opt out the more options we have to upgrade next season.

:bng:

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

So they had a change of heart and decided they would consider refunds for season ticket holders? If so that is good because it was totally wrong to refuse to refund customers over newly instated policies (whether you agree with the policy or not) no one could have possibly foreseen or prepared for.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

The reason was that so few actually wanted refunds it would make the task fairly easy, especially since so many were waiting in the wings to take those tickets. What the refund requesters didn't bargain for was losing their rights, as well. We got ours yesterday and will never let them go. Both of my sons made that very clear. LOL!

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Glad it worked out for you. To be honest, the Saints should accept refunds for almost any reason presuming it's before the season starts, when the waiting list is miles long and the Saints will get the same money back (if not more) in a pinch anyway!

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

I agree, as long as you are willing to forfeit your rights to continuing season ticket holdings.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

There you go! I had a feeling they'd not cave. You don't give up something like Saints tickets.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Why should someone who has recovered from Covid and therefore has natural immunity subject himself to ten or more tests?

And what about people who, after consultation with their physicians, decided that they should not be vaccinated for health reasons? Women who are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant? Children?

Yeah, they could go have a qtip rammed up their noses even though medical guidelines (as opposed to that low IQ NOLQ mayor) indicate that they should not be tested. But, we shouldn't show contempt for them. (This is the part where you claim you were not showing contempt when you said you had no pity for them).

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Do you not realize that the vaccines give better protection and allows less severe symptoms than simply carrying the antibodies from a previous infection? Also, you should hopefully be aware that reinfection from a variant like Delta is absolutely possible, and thus the testing requirement if the vaccine is being rejected by the patron.

Requiring a negative test doesn't invade upon anyone's rights that choose not to be vaccinated for whatever reason.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Because a negative test is the only way to document that natural immunity is working. Honestly, everyone should have to present a recent negative test regardless of their vaccine status as unvaccinated folks who have never had Covid, unvaccinated folks who have had Covid, and vaccinated folks who have or have not ever had Covid all have the ability, though not to the same degree, to be infected and all have the ability to transmit that infection, again though not all to the same degree. The smart play is to test everyone.
See above. Everyone should be tested when gathering in a space where 70,000 people are going to be.

Confused. Seems like you are trying to replace testing with vaccination. While certainly there are groups of folks who should not, or cannot, be vaccinated, that has absolutely nothing to do with testing. The public health objective should be that infectious people should not be in large crowds. They should be isolated and sent home. But to do that, you have to test them.

I just cannot wrap my head around the fact that some infectious people think that they should have the right to infect other people. Or that it's some infringement to have to demonstrate that someone isn't currently infectious.

SFIAH

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

No, I don't know that vaccines provide greater immunity than naturally acquired immunity and neither do you.

Obviously it's a lot easier for the franchise to verify vaccination that it is previous exposure. I am able to see the issue from their standpoint.

For some reason you are not willing to view the issue from the viewpoint of the fans.

If someone has had Covid it is completely understandable that they would not want to receive the vaccine, especially if they recently had Covid. In fact, unless they have changed their minds again, the CDC guidance says people who have Covid should not have the vaccine until at least 90 days after that infection.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Hhhj

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

I am absolutely viewing this from the viewpoint of the fans. I am both one of those fans AND a season ticket holder and I am thrilled that the proof of vaccination or a negative test is required. Out of 70,000 fans only 13 called in to get a refund on their tickets. That means most all of the rest really don't have a huge problem with it.

As for someone that has had COVID that didn't want to get the vaccine, that's fine, but they should be willing to present a negative test result, right? If not there is a problem. If not they shouldn't be allowed in.

As for vaccines providing a greater protection than the antibodies from a previous case of COVID, the data set is huge with over 175 million Americans fully vaccinated. It is quite easy to compare the breakthrough cases of vaccinated individuals with the reinfections of persons that had previously had COVID. Do a quick search.

Here's one from John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health published in May 28, 2021.

Why COVID-19 Vaccines Offer Better Protection Than Infection

There's plenty more. It is an accepted fact. At least accepted by those without that haven't been brainwashed by a radical right.

And this is coming from a lifetime Republican that voted for Trump twice. The same Trump that urged his own constituency to get the vaccine. For me this has absolutely nothing to do with politics, but everything to do with medical knowledge and science.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Yes, you have misinterpreted my post, which needs to be read in context.

I'm not suggesting that vaccinations should replace testing or vice versa.

What I am stating is my opinion: that there are people who have sound reasons for not receiving these particular vaccines. I am glad that the franchise agreed to refund their money, and I would like for the team to go a step further and place them at the front of the line for next year's season tickets. It would be an act of good will and a recognition that just because the franchises interest and the fan's interest do not align on this issue that the fan should somehow be punished.


I have no idea where you comment about infected people believing they should have the right to infect other people came from, no on has suggested that.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Why should these people be placed in front of the line for next year's season tickets? They could have easily attended every game. They were given the opportunity with a simple negative test result, but demanded a refund instead. That shouldn't penalize those of us that have waited 15 years for the opportunity to get a season ticket. It's their choice and a fair choice - keep your tickets and sell them if you refuse to have a test, or give them up trying to make some sort of political statement. In the latter case they should have to go to the back of the line.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

I think he is referring to people that are protesting the requirement to present a negative test result. That does lead one to surmise that they feel it is their right to attend if infected. And that right would include infecting others. I seriously doubt many people would feel this way, but I would also be expecting that some would, either consciously or not. I have met some that have said as much that have refused to do anything to protect themselves and others stating the government isn't going to force them to do anything and the COVID is a lie and that people aren't really getting sick and dying. Believe me, I keep my social distance from those.

:D

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

There is no way an infected average single person or family can be without food and water for the supposed quarantine period they are wanting. They have no choice but to get out ( grocery store/ pharmacy) to survive. How many people got the flu last year(Killed just as many if not more people over God knows how many years without a cure) did any of you hear about?Seemed like the flu disappeared and covid took over. Sickest I ever got was after getting a flu shot. Also a normal person don't really want anything shoved up there nose that deep to where it hits their brain so to speak and to have it done on multiple occasions don't seem to appealing. The mask are a total joke unless they are N-95 or better and breathing in them all the time restrict airflow to the lungs( not a normal function) and as far as kids still developing their lung function in the long run will cause breathing problems. I've had the crap( no smell, no taste for 4 days with no other symtoms) it affects a lot of people different. The way the CDC, government, private buisnesses are going about this so called pandimic the wrong way, it should be let to run it's course if they really want HERD immunity.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Do you believe the purpose of wearing a mask is to protect yourself or others from you in case you are unknowingly infected?

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Masks are not for your protection. The masks are to keep infected people from spreading the virus.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Exactly. Somehow that simple concept escapes some people, Rugs. That's the reason why everyone in an operating room wears a mask. It is not to protect themselves from the patient, it is to protect the patient from anything that they may have themselves. That's why a simple surgical mask is so effective to prevent the spread of COVID ... IF people would wear them, of course.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

I actually know someone who has been in the hospital for two weeks because she refused treatment for so long based on her belief that Covid is a hoax. It's hard to believe that someone can actually believe that, but obviously it was a sincerely held belief.

I am empathetic toward such people. If our leadership and the media would be more responsible with their messaging people would be more likely to believe them.

It was just what, a week ago, that Biden came out and definitively said that if you have been vaccinated that you will not get Covid?

That's simply not true. Why not just tell the truth - you will be less likely to be infected if exposed, but there will be some vaccinated people who are infected. If you do get infected after being vaccinated, you are less likely to become seriously ill.

Of course, that idiot will lie when the truth would be better. It is just what he is always done.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

That's why we should leave politics out of it all. I don't trust ANY politician on either side. I listen to the medical community directly when it comes to all of this.

It's sad that the person you know is going through this. She is clearly one of those brainwashed individuals I mentioned earlier. :(

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

The designer mask, do absolutly nothing and really are a joke. A certified rated mask N-95 or better, yes. I wear N-95's, half face, full face, oxygen supplied quite regularly and with the proper filters on them they do a he!! of a job protecting your lungs from harmful elements. But ( there is always a but in there) without being fit test( and pulmonary tested) for the right size means absolutely nothing. No true seal means leaks. (Oh, and must be clean shaven to get the seal. )I don't believe the general public is going through all this and are spreading it with there PRETTY LITTLE DESIGNER MASK. I do actually like the design on some of them though, cool to look at but goes no farther than that.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

You totally missed the point of the question, but your reply gave me the answer. You are clearly under the impression that the purpose of masks are to protect the wearer.

That is totally wrong. Mask wearing is NOT to protect the person wearing the mask. I repeat ... mask wearing is NOT to protect the person wearing the mask.

The primary purpose of wearing a mask is to protect OTHERS. Any mask, no matter how simple, is very effective at capturing the emissions from the wearer that carry the virus.

Everything you posted refers to protection, not to preventing the spread. You have either totally missed the point or are ignoring the point. You have just repeated oft mention arguments that have no pertinence to the mask purpose whatsoever.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

You can repeat all you want, without the proper mask it doesn't work, period, no matter if you wear it or I wear it or if you don't or I don't it's the same thing. If it's not the proper mask it does not matter it still is spread. Maybe you should wear one of those pretty little mask in an oxygen deficient atmosphere and I'll wear a proper oxygen supplied and we'll see how it turns out. Bet you turn blue and I want. Now repeat that. And if protection doesn't prevent then everything I've ever been taught is wrong. Hey man, does a contraceptive protect or prevent? You truly are a funny guy!!

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Even if you assume that your typical mask captures some of the particles, I am not at all sure that there is a net health benefit to them.

People fidget with those nasty things all the time, and then reach out and touch something that someone else will touch in a few moments.

I feel pretty confident kids should not be wearing them all the time, and especially n ki t while participating in outdoor play and sports. That's idiotic.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Once again you do not get the concept. You are talking protection of wearer.

:rolleyes:

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Once again, it has nothing to do with the health effect to the wearer. Wearing a mask, any mask, reduces greatly the amount of expectorants of the wearer. It is to protect others, not the person wearing the mask.

And of course you don't wear them while playing sports or such. That is just silly and not proposed. You are grasping for straws. I have a feeling you understand but are hesitant to agree. That's cool.

Be safe, Flipx, but more importantly be safe to others!

Who Dat! I'll see y'all in the Superdome this season!

20-0 Baby!

:bng:

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

You asked the question as to why someone with natural immunity should subject themselves to ten or more tests. You then tried to connect folks who maybe should not be vaccinated to having a Q-tip shoved up their nose. To me that's trying to conflate vaccination and testing.

Everyone should be tested. Full stop. Period. Everyone can be a carrier. Anyone who doesn't want to be tested in is fact promoting the idea that they have the right to infect others because their status is unknown.

I'm not getting into the vaccine issue at all. If someone wants to go to the game, go get tested. If it's negative, then enjoy the game.

And no, if someone doesn't want to get tested, they should not be rewarded by cutting into the line for next year. That time is over. It is clear that everyone is going to roll with the pandemic, and that anyone who refuses to try to stem it should suffer the consequences of that decision.

The reason we're back to 160,000 cases a day in the US is because there are all these people, almost all unvaccinated, that won't get tested, won't get a vaccine, and won't wear a mask. We can float down the river with all the denial.

That's my opinion.

SFIAH

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

So, you think it is reasonable to have roughly 80k vaccinated people get tested before every game without respect to known exposure or whether they have any symptoms? I suppose there is no reason why you would not extend this to every NFL, college, high school, jr high game.

That's a lot of unnecessary testing and a huge waste of resources. My opinion is that your plan would only beg down the system, make it more difficult for people who actually need to be tested to do so and hence wind up furthering the spread of the Wuhan virus.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

I take it you have not seen the video of the high school track athlete who passed out from lack of oxygen as she crossed the finish line. Yeah, it was in some nutty town in Wshongton state, but it did happen.

My point was that if someone is touching their nasty mask and then touching something like a kiosk then I think the net effect is to be a greater danger.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Yes. exactly. Thinking otherwise is the reason we're in this predicament that we are in. Get a BinaxNow rapid test. Takes 15 minutes. No lab required. It doesn't have perfect accuracy, but it'll let most folks who are in fact infected know that they are infected.

And personally I would extend this to every venue. Every game. Every concert.

The testing isn't unnecessary. The problem we have right now is that folks who are sick don't know that they are sick. They think they are fine.

We should have started surveillance testing over a year ago. It would have gotten us back to normal much faster as folks who test negative could get on with their day while those who are infected can quarantine.

People catch colds and flus all the time. Covid has an infection rate that's about double the rate of the common cold. It then puts people in the hospital and then into the ground.

The point is that widespread testing is needed because people who are infected yet show no symptoms can spread the infection. Since they have no symptoms, they won't generally get tested. And then the cycle of spreading the infection continues.

Of course another track to curtail this is vaccination. But as BostonSaint has pointed out several times in the last month or so, I'm not touching that subject with a 10 foot pole.

SFIAH

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

I just got done shooting movie as an extra where everyone got tested, very frequently. It didn't stop me from contracting it from someone on set who was supposedly not positive. They had/have more stringent protocols than are being implemented at the Superdome.

Stuff happens and I drew the short straw. I survived with the regeneron infusion.

Many will be infected at the Superdome. We'll see just how many.

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

I understand that it isn't perfect. Nothing is perfect. The most perfect situation would have been if the virus had never mutated to infect humans. But we are where we are.

Just think how many more folks would have been infected if testing wasn't done.

I'm not sure how we're going to get out of this cycle of:

Here is something that will help.

But it isn't perfect. So, what's the point in doing it?

That's been with masks. And vaccines. And testing. And shutdowns.

The only suggestion I hear in counter is let it run it's course, or try to treat it after contraction. The death rate of Covid unchecked is between 300-400 deaths per 100,000 in the population. Do 1,000,000+ people in the country have to die for us to get over this?

SFIAH

Re: Saints Are Offering Refunds
 

Maybe... We have a better idea on how to treat it now as opposed to when Foreverfan had double pneumonia and got it. Regeneron works great. I wonder what are the flu and common cold stats these days ...