COVID-19 continues to rampage across SC, yet our stadiums and venues are unused. Why?

All over the country communities and states are turning to resourceful ways to help their citizens in the fight against COVID-19.

In Jacksonville, for example, a parking lot in the city’s football stadium for the NFL Jaguars has been turned into a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site.

In Miami, a similar drive-thru site has been set up at the football stadium for the NFL Dolphins — as well as one at the city’s fairgrounds and exposition center.

In Houston, a medical shelter is being built in NRG Stadium — the home of the NFL Texans — for emergency coronavirus cases.

In Charlotte, a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site has been set up inside the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s complex.

Why are these cities going to such extraordinary measures?

Maybe it’s because they have the sense of perspective to realize that in the age of COVID-19, stadiums and other venues serve no purpose as places for entertainment.

Maybe it’s because they have the self-awareness to realize that in the age of COVID-19, stadiums and other entertainment venues can serve plenty of purpose as places to protect people and potentially save lives.

And that makes total sense.

So can anyone tell me why Williams-Brice Stadium is a massive empty bowl right now?

Or why Colonial Life Arena is dormant?

Or why the South Carolina State Fairgrounds sits inactive?

Can anyone give me a persuasive reason why this is the case while South Carolina continues to rack up new COVID-19 positive tests by the hundreds each day — and more deaths, too?

And when people across the Midlands are scrambling to find places to get tested for COVID-19?

Yes, I’m sure there are some elaborate excuses that can be trotted out to explain why these huge sites need to be sitting inactive during a modern-day plague that has hit Richland County — the very county these venues are located in — particularly hard.

But:

Why aren’t these excuses being used in Jacksonville, Miami, Houston, Charlotte and countless other cities?

Why are there no apparent obstacles and impediments in those communities to using major facilities as testing sites and makeshift medical facilities?

Why is it clearly possible to do these things in other communities — yet ridiculously impossible to do them in Columbia?

Well, it shouldn’t be.

But in reality it’s yet another symbol of the sense of disconnect in this state — the one that gives so many South Carolinians the unsettling feeling that while a lot of things are being done to fight coronavirus, too many things that should be done simply aren’t happening.

It’s time to wake up.

It’s time to open them up.

It’s time to find some way to turn these empty facilities for playing games and having fun into active places devoted to helping South Carolinians and saving lives.

Opinion Editor Roger Brown can be reached at (803) 771-8464 or by email at rjbrown@thestate.com.

Editor’s note: After this column appeared in online and print, USC athletic director Ray Tanner responded to it on Twitter. Tanner’s response is below:

In addition, S.C.State Fairgrounds General Manager Nancy Smith wrote this letter in reply to the column:

The editorial in the April 16 State Newspaper does not accurately reflect the S.C. State Fair’s commitment to its community in a time of crisis.

The fair has an ongoing partnership and agreement with DHEC to provide space and additional support in the event of a medical emergency. The agreement includes the distribution and dispensing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical materials, and the fair stands ready to provide these services if called on.

The column also did not reflect any prior communication between the fair and DHEC regarding timelines that such assistance may be deemed necessary in this instance.

The fairgrounds are routinely used as a staging ground for EMS vehicles and personnel, if needed. Most recently, the fair housed more than 100 EMS vehicles and some 250 EMS personnel on the grounds in the Goodman Building for several nights and days during a time of mandatory evacuation for Hurricane Dorian last fall.

Additionally, the S.C. State Fair offers its barns for equine evacuation in the event of a hurricane.

We agree that everyone should be good citizens during such times as this, but we feel it is prudent that the public be given all the facts regarding what steps area agencies are taking to provide support as it may be needed.

Nancy Smith, General Manager

South Carolina State Fair,

Columbia

This story was originally published April 15, 2020 at 5:30 AM.