Hurricanes’ team photo this year has a new look: everyone wearing a mask
The Carolina Hurricanes traditionally pose for a team photo every year but never quite like this year.
Not in July.
Not during a pandemic, wearing masks.
The Hurricanes gathered at center ice Saturday for the photo and Don Waddell, the team’s president and general manager asked that the masks be worn by all the players, coaches, staff and management. In a sense it became a PSA and a team statement.
Gov. Roy Cooper has mandated that face coverings be worn in public places to slow the spread of the coronavirus and often has worn a black mask with “Canes” on it at his coronavirus task force press conferences. He reweeted the team photo and commented: “My beloved Canes — the toughest guys around — know the importance of wearing the mask to protect people around them. Go Canes! — RC.”
Health officials are insistent the wearing of face coverings can lower the infection rate of the contagious virus. As of Sunday, the state’s Department of Health and Human Services reported that nearly 100,000 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the virus and that 1,115 are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 issues.
Cooper and DHHS secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen continually stress the importance of face coverings, social distancing and the washing of hands to combat the virus. The daily positive rate for COVID-19 has been about 9% or 10% in testing in recent weeks, which Cohen considers too high.
“This whole ‘wear one, don’t wear one’ to me makes no sense. I don’t know why you wouldn’t,” Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said Sunday in a Zoom media call. “No one has ever given me a good argument on this. It makes no sense to me. Someone tell me this could help, then you do it. It’s that simple.
“Until I hear a better reason on that, then I’ll listen. We know we have to do this to give us a chance. No one knows what’s going on with this (virus), but we’re being told if you wear this it gives you a better chance not get it or give it to other people. So that’s the message. I mean, it’s plain and simple.”
The Hurricanes wear face covering off the ice, in the locker room area and when around each other. The trainers and equipment staff all have masks at the training camp. They’re taking all the precautions.
“Obviously you do your part,” goalie James Reimer said in a Sunday media call.
The Canes have another week of training camp — Phase 3 of the NHL’s Return to Play plan — before leaving for Toronto to enter the protective “bubble” for Phase 4 and the postseason competition.
One fear among NHL teams is that a coronavirus outbreak on a team could stymie the league’s attempt to finish out the 2019-20 season with the Stanley Cup playoffs. Until there is a vaccine for COVID-19, everyone must be vigilant.
“Everyone is looking forward to a time where wearing masks and stuff won’t be necessary,” Reimer said. “You’re just grinding it out now and trying to make the best of it.”
This story was originally published July 19, 2020 at 6:05 PM.
