Just five days after he attended the races at Oaklawn Park, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton announced Thursday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus.
“This is not just about social distancing,” Payton told ESPN. “It's shutting down here for a week to two weeks. If people understand the curve, and understand the bump, we can easily work together as a country to reduce it. Take a minute to understand what the experts are saying. It's not complicated to do what they're asking of us. Just that type of small investment by every one of us will have a dramatic impact.”
Payton was at Oaklawn for Saturday's card, which featured the GII Rebel S. and circulated among the few people that were there on a day when fans were not allowed to attend the races. He conducted an interview with TVG's Brittney Eurton in which he discussed how the virus might impact the NFL draft and his concerns for older Americans during the on-going health crisis.
Trainer Tom Amoss was among those who interacted with Payton and wrote on twitter Thursday that he was going to self-quarantine and get tested as soon as possible.
“I feel great and have had no symptoms,” Amoss wrote. “Wishing coach a fast recovery.”
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