The city of Pittsburgh has a complex relationship with Kenny Chesney. Since 2007, the country superstar has regularly performed massive shows at Heinz Field, jamming out with more than 50,000 fans. But these shows have also featured widespread debauchery; dozens of people are typically arrested and literal tons of trash have filled the parking lots around the venue.
That damage, however, would pale in comparison to the devastation that could occur if Mr. Chesney’s May 30 concert at Heinz Field goes ahead as planned.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has shut down much of the city, forcing the indefinite delay of numerous events and performances, Mr. Chesney’s concert is still on the books.
As the city and state cautiously reopen businesses, with the potential for a second wave of the virus looming, packing tens of thousands of people into a football stadium could be catastrophic for public health.
The concert could have the potential to reinvigorate the virus, having an effect not dissimilar to Florida’s spring break festivities in March. Researchers believe that the thousands of young people who flouted social distancing recommendations to party on Florida beaches likely helped spread the virus throughout the United States. Anonymized cellphone location data from just one Fort Lauderdale beach showed contact with much of the East Coast and Midwest.
To avoid a similar debacle in Pittsburgh, Mr. Chesney, his management team and Heinz Field officials should delay the performance until a later, safer date. Mr. Chesney had already postponed the first month of his tour, originally scheduled to begin last month, so pushing the Pittsburgh date should not come as a surprise to anyone. But failing to make this sensible decision would greatly increase the potential for the virus’s spread.
As much as people would like the return to normal to include a big shindig, the time is not right for a big concert. Reopening must be carefully considered and measured. Do it right, and Mr. Chesney can come back to Pittsburgh soon.
First Published: May 7, 2020, 9:39 a.m.
Updated: May 7, 2020, 9:39 a.m.
