Texas Rangers employees are “terrified” for their health and safety after several co-workers tested positive for COVID-19 this week, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Employees were reportedly urged to work at their offices at Globe Life Field earlier this month, something that has only increased fear. There was never a specific mandate to force workers to be in offices during the coronavirus pandemic, however, a memo obtained by CBS Sports suggests that working from home was not an option for many employees.
Rangers employees were told in an email Thursday that “several members” of the organization had tested positive for the coronavirus, though how many was unclear.
“We are terrified for our safety,” an employee of the team told ESPN anonymously on Friday. “Terrified of unknowingly sharing COVID-19 with an older employee, a pregnant coworker, or anyone else who may have some type of underlying condition.
“We all knew it would come to this. It was only a matter of time.”
There were more than 2.4 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States as of Friday night, according to The New York Times, and it was attributed more than 125,000 deaths. Texas had more than 142,000 cases alone, and also set a new daily record with more than 6,500 coronavirus cases in a single day on Thursday.
According to the report, more than 100 people work in the team’s executive offices at the stadium, and more than 200 people are there every day. Many, employees told ESPN, also don’t have masks inside.
The stadium has also held high school graduations in recent weeks, which has only increased the number of people in and around the park.
The team, according to the report, said it will disinfect its offices this weekend and offer coronavirus testing to employees when they return Monday and Tuesday. You can “re-evaluate your work-from-home policy in the coming days.”
“In the past 48 hours, the Texas Rangers have received notification that several of our employees have received a positive test for COVID-19. The Rangers immediately began the protocols we have for positive COVID testing, and any employees who had direct contact with these individuals were sent home and will undergo COVID-19 testing, “the Rangers said in a statement, via ESPN. “People will not be allowed to enter the facilities without receiving a negative COVID-19 test.
“The health and safety of our employees are a top priority, and the Rangers will continue to diligently apply the pandemic protocols that are in place for reception employees at Globe Life Field. These include temperature controls upon entering the building, mandatory use of facial coatings and regular sanitation and cleaning of Globe Life Field facilities. ”
Texas Rangers employees are reportedly “terrified” for their safety after several workers tested positive for the coronavirus this week. (Tom Pennington / Getty Images)
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