Boston Red Sox not making progress toward 85% vaccination threshold: It is frustrating because youd like to – MassLive.com

On Friday, Major League Baseball announced that 16 of its 30 clubs have reached the 85% threshold of vaccinated individuals required to relax COVID-19 protocols and that three more are on pace to join the group in the coming weeks. The Red Sox, however, are among the 11 teams that are not over the threshold or close to it.

The fact the Red Sox are behind most of their counterparts has become a source of frustration in the organization. By allowing teams who reach the threshold to skirt protocols related to quarantining and potentially canceling games, the league has incentivized the vaccination process and give a clear competitive advantage to clubs that reach 85%.

It is frustrating because youd like to be at 100%, team president and CEO Sam Kennedy said. Its really important with the situation were dealing with to have as many people vaccinated as possible. With that said, you have to respect differences of opinion, thought and approach to combatting COVID. We respect the individual players who have decided to not get vaccinated.

The honest answer is it is frustrating because I know the coaching staff and the players who have been vaccinated, youd like to see a relaxing of protocols across the game, Kennedy said.

Manager Alex Cora said last weekend that the club was getting close to reaching 85% but noted Friday that the group had not made any progress toward the threshold in recent days. Until the Red Sox reach 85%, they will have to follow strict MLB guidelines which limit that players and coaches can do away from the field and require coaches to wear masks in the dugout during games.

The Red Sox are having trouble reaching the threshold because of the number of unvaccinated individuals with the WooSox, sources said. To reach the mark, the Sox need to have 85% of covered individuals in the majors and at Triple-A fully vaccinated.

Cora said he respects every individuals decision about getting vaccinated but added that some aspects of the rules have him worried. Because the Red Sox have not yet had their protocols relaxed, any player entering quarantine after being exposed to COVID-19 could cause a domino effect of unavailable players.

I dont think its frustrating, baseball-wise, because I believe this whole thing about vaccination is about the outside world, Cora said. The real world. In our case, obviously, you make the decision you want to make, but as a manager, sometimes you think about all these guidelines and rules.

I always wonder how were going to react if somebody just decides, Ok, Im not vaccinated or, not even that, or if someone in our group because were not at 85% somebody decides to go to a restaurant or to a spa or go out and then all of the sudden that person misses seven days because you have to be put in quarantine because you broke the rules, he continued. Thats the one I always wonder. So far, weve been very disciplined. As the world keeps becoming normal, hopefully we dont see that as a window that we can take advantage (of). Thats my biggest worry.

Though reaching 85% presents a clear competitive advantage, Cora has decided not to mix his feelings about the vaccine with how it affects his teams play on the field. Getting more players and coaches vaccinated would mean the Red Sox would be able to have more freedom at and away from the ballpark, but the club is not trying to pressure anyone into receiving shots.

Throughout the season, Cora has praised his group for following protocols and avoiding COVID-related issues. He hopes that will continue as things begin to open up nationwide.

You can feel it, Cora said. The summer is here, the world is moving forward. Hopefully, we can stay disciplined throughout the process.

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Boston Red Sox not making progress toward 85% vaccination threshold: It is frustrating because youd like to - MassLive.com