Dr. Fauci on full NFL stadiums in September: “I think that’s possible”

Posted by Mike Florio on December 1, 2020, 10:13 AM EST
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The clouds eventually will part. The pandemic eventually will end. Normalcy, in more ways than one, eventually will return.

For the NFL, that could happen by next season.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases, told Yahoo Sports on Monday that pro football could see crowded houses by the start of the 2021 campaign.

“Oh, that’s possible,” Dr. Fauci said regarding the possibility of full NFL stadiums by September. “I think that’s possible.”

Given the wildly varying rules applicable to different states and different localities in 2020, it’s also possible that stadiums will be full for some teams in some places (Florida and Texas) and that other stadiums will remain empty, or at least closer to empty than full.

The first (and hopefully only) anniversary of the pandemic is only three months away, and things are getting worse, not better. The best news come from the impending arrival of vaccines, even if it’s still unclear how anyone will convince those who refuse to put a mask onto their faces to put a needle into their arms.

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84 responses to “Dr. Fauci on full NFL stadiums in September: “I think that’s possible””

  2. why are you asking him? if 100% of americans that want the vaccine can get it by the summer, according to reports, then its over. back to normal. no “new” normal bs, back to 2019 normal.

  6. Keep kicking the can down the road “Dr.” If I was as wrong at my job as he is at his, I would be out of work.

  8. We don’t need 100% of people to take a vaccine. Fun fact: Only about 50% of the population gets a flu shot each year, and flu shots are often less than 50% effective. So in any given year, we only have maybe 25% of the population immune to the flu.

    Once there is a vaccine available, COVID-19 will be hardly different than the flu. Deaths will be minimized with the majority of high risk people getting the vaccine (the vaccines have been shown to be 100% effective against severe cases of COVID-19 in testing, even among the few people who still contract it after taking the vaccine), and infection rates will be, at worst, no higher than what we see with the seasonal flu.

    There is a good chance, however, that the vast majority of people will take the COVID-19 vaccine and it will become little more than a blip on our radar in future years as it gets rolled into our annual vaccinations.

    That’s a long-winded way of saying that worrying about a minority of anti-maskers not taking the vaccine is hardly worth anyone’s time.

  10. explain to me why texas and florida have fans but others do not….i thought we were all in the same world under the same conditions..just saying

  11. This is pie in the sky. First, let’s start the vaccination process and see how it goes before saying full stadiums will return next September. I already know a few people who’ve said they’ll skip the vaccine. While it’s said it will be free, most aren’t so sure.

  12. I am Svengali. I predict the future. I see a new quote from Lord Fauci. On February 11, 2021 he will say;

    “Well, there’s no guarentee that the virus won’t still be active come September and I may have been a little too optimistic in a statement I had made earlier in December.”

  13. I don’t know why so many people trust a doctor employed by the American government when the American government hasn’t been trustworthy for over 60 years. If he was a good doctor, he would work in the private sector where the money is.

  15. Wouldn’t catch me in any stadium for a while, but if they let fans in it will certainly make watching games on TV better. Will they have a proof of vaccination card that is required for entry? Will there be enough doses?

  16. Mark my words. No one knows what side effects or long term effects this vaccine has. Once COVID prevails next Fall, we’ll be back stockpiling TP.

  17. January 2020: Dr. Fauci “This is not a major threat to the people of the United States and this is not something that the citizens of the United States should be worried about”

    Feb 2020: Dr. Fauci “Right now, at this moment, there is no need to change anything that you’re doing on a day-by-day basis,”

    March 2020: Dr. Fauci “If you are a healthy young person, there is no reason if you want to go on a cruise ship, go on a cruise ship,”

    April: Dr. Fauchi “I would hope that by November we would have things under such control that we can have a real degree of normality. That’s my interest, and my job, as a public health person.”

    April 9th 2020: Dr. Fauchi “I believed in JANUARY this was a very, very dangerous. It became very clear we were in for a problem”…

    Why are we giving this clown the time of day.

  18. David says:
    December 1, 2020 at 10:57 am
    This is pie in the sky. First, let’s start the vaccination process and see how it goes before saying full stadiums will return next September. I already know a few people who’ve said they’ll skip the vaccine. While it’s said it will be free, most aren’t so sure
    —–
    He said it’s a possibility, not that it’s going to happen. Try reading.

  19. Require proof of vaccination to enter the stadium. It’s that simple. If more venues require it, more people will get the vaccine so they can attend. And if those people can’t go then that’s less Covidiots that I have to be surrounded by when I attend games and concerts. Win win here.

  20. Lol at everyone calling Dr. Fauci a clown. Go look in the mirror and see what a clown looks like.

  21. It depends what week you catch Dr. Fauci. Next week, he might say the NFL should never allow anyone in a stadium ever again.

  22. Fauci likes to hear himself talk. He is impressed with himself and has a microphone in front of him everyday. Hence comments are made, open ended statements are said, predictions are read, etc. Nobody should take anything he says seriously at this point because it changes everyday with every prediction given and every unproven comment made. Lets get through January and this NFL season before worrying about what will happen next September.

  23. “The best news come from the impending arrival of vaccines, even if it’s still unclear how anyone will convince those who refuse to put a mask onto their faces to put a needle into their arms.”

    Easy, you want to go to a bar, restaurant, stadium, etc…where is your proof of vaccination. You want to get on an airplane, bus, train or cruise ship, where is your proof of vaccination?

    You can stay in your basement and say….”The government can’t make me take a shot, BUT, the government can tell you what you CAN’T do.” Fly, cruise, enter a PUBLIC venue full of sports fans, etc.

  24. Salih Taylor says:
    December 1, 2020 at 10:31 am

    I thought he said that going back to stadiums full capacity would not be likely in 2021.
    ****************************************************
    That was last month when it was convenient for him to say that.

  25. Can we turn the page from the great doctor Fauci and put a new face on this messaging.I appreciate his efforts but it’s time for him to move to the background.

  26. Not sure whose message is more confusing, Fauci on whether or not stadiums will be full in 2021 or Adam Gase explaining playcalling…

  27. won’t happen, maybe there will be a vaccine, a rushed one, who the hell is taking that? not me. Plus americans still think this thing is a joke, wait till the next few months gonna get a hell of a lot worse before it gets better…

  28. Instead of flapping his gums and getting media attention, maybe Lord Fauci ought to do what he is paid to do. That is to protect the American public the best he knows how from infectious diseases.

    Seriously, this guy should be planning the vaccine roll out with other authorities such as state health officials. There needs to be a plan put in place for when the vaccine will be available and where to get it. If it needs to involve the military, then let’s get ready. Local officials need to put together vaccine centers, etc…

    Communication is 90% of success.

  29. Stadiums “full” by September? Maybe 50% capacity at best.

    Until there is widespread immunity and the vaccine has proven to be effective, it will be a long time before we start filling our stadiums and arenas to capacity with thousands of fans again.

    Maybe in other countries that is possible but not in the United States where we have become so politically divided and have been getting inconsistent messages from health professionals since early on during the pandemic.

  31. I highly doubt we will see full crowds again until 2022. The pandemic may start going away next year, but the fear will remain for a long time, and the rules on big gatherings and mask usage will reflect that.

  32. “This guy has literally said everything, in every way. Eye roll this clown.”

    Uh no, he has not.

    And I guess you can’t comprehend that as understanding of a new virus or disease is gained that the treatments and ways to combat it evolve. Which changes what the experts advise.

    Toss in that he had to walk a thin tightrope of trying to protect people while the idiot in the white house was claiming corona was a hoax and you get what we have seen from Fauci.

    He has more knowledge of infectious disease in a single strand of his hair than any 100 of the doubters would have collectively.

  34. dirt53 says:
    December 1, 2020 at 11:50 am
    Instead of flapping his gums and getting media attention, maybe Lord Fauci ought to do what he is paid to do. That is to protect the American public the best he knows how from infectious diseases.

    Seriously, this guy should be planning the vaccine roll out with other authorities such as state health officials. There needs to be a plan put in place for when the vaccine will be available and where to get it. If it needs to involve the military, then let’s get ready. Local officials need to put together vaccine centers, etc…
    ________________________________________

    This person is confused as to what Fauci’s job is. But then again most people get their info from memes, Tweets and headlines. Very few actually dig in.

  35. springfield says:
    December 1, 2020 at 10:14 am
    This guy has literally said everything, in every way. Eye roll this clown.

    191 159 Rate This
    ***********************************************************************************
    Clown??????????? Really?????? A man of science revered by all scientists. He advised 6 presidents and help eradicate Ebola and Aids is a clown????
    Please post your resume compared to Dr. Fauci and see how insignificant your life has been. SMH!

  38. Too many ignorant people commenting on this thread. Too many fringe radical right wing fanatics spewing conspiracy theories and echoing yellow journalism talking points.
    Science is factual and if you refuse science and live in alternative universe by crafting your ow convenient narrative, then there is no need to convince you with facts. Your mind is already made up and there is no scientific fact that could sway you. It is sad and alarming to see that we can’t even agree on basic scientific facts. Dr. Fauci is a national treasure and should be treated as such. Please check out his contributions to humanity and science. He is a man worthy of everyone’s respect and admiration. The hate towards him is only fueled by some media outlets that try to fabricate their own reality for obvious reasons. Sad!!!!

  39. opinions change as you get more info and things play out. I’m so tired of people being like “BUT HE SAID THIS IN JANUARY!!”

    do you never change your opinion based on new facts/an evolving situation or do you just regurgitate the same view regardless of any factors. I already know the answer to that question, unfortunately

  40. tiredofcowards says:
    December 1, 2020 at 11:01 am
    I don’t know why so many people trust a doctor employed by the American government when the American government hasn’t been trustworthy for over 60 years. If he was a good doctor, he would work in the private sector where the money is.

    60 years??? The US Government hasn’t been trustworthy since they put pen to the paper called “The Declaration of Independence.”

  41. Fans may not have the same level of interest in attending games even if allowed to. I suspect that NFL teams will have a hard time filling their stadiums.

  43. springfield says:
    December 1, 2020 at 10:14 am
    This guy has literally said everything, in every way. Eye roll this clown.

    **************************************************************************************

    Yes, what a moron he is for not being able to predict the exact sequence of events down to the minute as they would unfold in a pandemic or for updating his recommendations as new data or information were made available. The stupidity.

    Compared that to the guy who once predicted that COVID would magically disappear once it got warm and suggested on national TV that getting disinfectant or sunlight into the body might be a viable treatment, Fauci clearly is the idiot.

  44. dsigrey says:
    December 1, 2020 at 12:26

    This person is confused as to what Fauci’s job is. But then again most people get their info from memes, Tweets and headlines. Very few actually dig in.
    ********************************************

    I know exactly what Fauci’s job is. As a public servant, he is in charge for protecting the American public from infectious disease. He is required to use his medical expertise to not only protect and inform the public, but to also formulate a national plan when foreign viral agents make their presence known in this country.

    To prevent a national epidemic of foreign viral agent introduced in this country, Fauci is required to have a plan of action formulated for just such an emergency. He is also responsible for ensuring that there is enough emergency equipment on hand that would be required if a domestic epidemic broke out.

    He failed to deliver a plan of action to deal with epidemics. He failed to ensure that we had enough PPE equipment and ventilators in stock for such an emergency. Instead, he made sure he was in front of the cameras spewing this and spewing that while acting like the innocent grandfather.

    That’s why he needs to be planning this vaccine roll out. But he is not. Fauci is a failed fatcat bureaucrat whose time has passed.

  45. ryguy1269 says:
    December 1, 2020 at 11:36 am
    Lol at everyone calling Dr. Fauci a clown. Go look in the mirror and see what a clown looks like.
    _______________
    Go look at what he said today.
    The schools should have NEVER been shut down.
    Far cry from what he’s been saying all year.
    He’s clueless.

  46. He also said we should never shake hands again, even after the pandemic. Ignore him.

  47. Some schools and businesses already require proof of certain vaccinations, I’m sure the COVID vaccine will be added to those lists once it is released and I’m sure the greedy NFL will never require proof for fans attending games.

  48. Why is anyone listening to this clown? I can look in the same crystal ball he does and make the same predictions for less money. Took him months to add flu symptoms to covid symptoms. Has no idea as to how effective vaccines are going to be or side effects. But yet he has the national stage as spokesperson for a virus that that has killed less than 1% of american population. Follow the money and see who is getting richer from this!

  49. Boy, if you ever wanted an explanation of why after 8 months we’re in worse shape than ever with this virus, when many other countries are succeeding in limiting its effects…you only have to read this thread… Amazing!

  50. edukator44 says:
    December 1, 2020 at 10:15 am
    why are you asking him? if 100% of americans that want the vaccine can get it by the summer, according to reports, then its over. back to normal. no “new” normal bs, back to 2019 normal.
    _______________________________________________________________________
    The problem is all the covid-deniers AND anti-Vaccers that are going to refuse to get it and keep spreading it.

  51. XaqFields says:
    December 1, 2020 at 10:36 am
    We don’t need 100% of people to take a vaccine. Fun fact: Only about 50% of the population gets a flu shot each year, and flu shots are often less than 50% effective. So in any given year, we only have maybe 25% of the population immune to the flu.

    Once there is a vaccine available, COVID-19 will be hardly different than the flu. Deaths will be minimized with the majority of high risk people getting the vaccine (the vaccines have been shown to be 100% effective against severe cases of COVID-19 in testing, even among the few people who still contract it after taking the vaccine), and infection rates will be, at worst, no higher than what we see with the seasonal flu.

    There is a good chance, however, that the vast majority of people will take the COVID-19 vaccine and it will become little more than a blip on our radar in future years as it gets rolled into our annual vaccinations.

    That’s a long-winded way of saying that worrying about a minority of anti-maskers not taking the vaccine is hardly worth anyone’s time.
    _______________________________________________________________________

    Incorrect. Vaccines work if EVERYONE takes them. Please do not encourage people not to take the vaccine. Anti-vaccers are a problem.

  55. dirt53 says:
    December 1, 2020 at 11:50 am
    Instead of flapping his gums and getting media attention, maybe Lord Fauci ought to do what he is paid to do. That is to protect the American public the best he knows how from infectious diseases.

    Seriously, this guy should be planning the vaccine roll out with other authorities such as state health officials. There needs to be a plan put in place for when the vaccine will be available and where to get it. If it needs to involve the military, then let’s get ready. Local officials need to put together vaccine centers, etc…

    *****************************************************************************

    He’s doing exactly what he is paid to do. His current role with the vaccine rollout is to oversee companies participating in Operation Warp Speed, along with other experts (e.g., biostatisticians, infectious disease experts) as part of a panel. Given that we’re getting news everyday about how that’s proceeding, seems like he’s doing his job fairly well. Maybe instead of criticizing the guy for not doing his job (which he can do while provide information to the media when requested), you should learn what his job actually entails.

  56. tiredofcowards says:
    December 1, 2020 at 11:01 am
    I don’t know why so many people trust a doctor employed by the American government when the American government hasn’t been trustworthy for over 60 years. If he was a good doctor, he would work in the private sector where the money is.
    _________________

    You seem to assume everyone is strictly motivated by money when it comes to what they choose to do with their lives. If that were the case then no one would choose to commit their lives to civil or community services.

    Thank God that’s not true.

  57. That wasn’t his position before November 3rd.
    ——
    Well, we didn’t get word on a vaccine til a week after that. But sure, it’s still all about Trump.

  58. jkk60 says:
    Follow the money and see who is getting richer from this!
    ——————————————-
    It sure isn’t the scientists…

  59. December 1, 2020 at 1:43 pm
    That wasn’t his position before November 3rd.
    ——
    Well, we didn’t get word on a vaccine til a week after that. But sure, it’s still all about Trump.

    1 0 Rate This

    Informed people have known about the vaccine coming out for months and even with that info Fauci said that it would be 2022 before we would be back to normal. The only thing that has changed since his change of position happened on November 3rd. Yes, you are correct. It is all about Trump.

  61. Fauci had an enormously difficult job, so I cut him a lot of slack, however messaging from him last February/March was unfortunate in some cases, especially the mask flip flop, and based on current spikes with high mask adoption rates, I’m still not convinced they are an overwhelming defense against the virus. That being said, everyone needs to calm down, he has mostly been giving helpful information based on the knowledge he has. If he says stadiums may be full by next fall, that is a great thing to hear. Everyone wants to go back to normal.

  62. Can we stop pretending Fauci is some type of covid God? He’s been wrong as much as he’s been right. From masks to closing schools the guy has been a disaster.

  63. WHOOOAAA!
    Fauci wasn’t in charge of releasing info about the reliability and availability of the vaccines…THE PHARMA COs decided when to release that info.
    Let’s not start with the ‘alternative facts’ again…

  64. This is the same guy that told us we may “never make use of the handshake again” because there is too much germ transfer. And masks. We have to wear the mask.

    Yet, there he was at a Wash Nats game in July not social distancing, playing touchy/feely with the person next to him and no mask. When confronted about it, Fauci said that “people make too big of a thing out of stuff”.

    Rules for thee, but not for me.

  65. 270,000 dead americans and the comments here trashing Fauci and just the overall complete, stubborn ignorance of many of these posters is embarrassing and horrifying.

  66. For a guy that calls out the obvious after the fact and makes it up as he goes along he sure does get paid a lot. At least Donald J. donated his every paycheck to charity.

  67. crush22 says:
    December 1, 2020 at 1:13 pm

    Go look at what he said today.
    The schools should have NEVER been shut down.
    Far cry from what he’s been saying all year.
    He’s clueless.

    ******************************************************************************

    Fauci was talking about getting kids back to school at least as early as the summer, when he acknowledged it was feasible so long as it was safe for children, teachers, and their families. He talked about how different parts of the country might not be able to have school while others could, and it’d be based on things like the positivity rate and # cases in the area. He had events speaking on this to the public. All out in the open.

    People think they can just say made up stuff make stuff up in public forums and not get called out on it.

  68. mmmpierogi says:
    December 1, 2020 at 1:38 pm

    He’s doing exactly what he is paid to do. His current role with the vaccine rollout is to oversee companies participating in Operation Warp Speed, along with other experts (e.g., biostatisticians, infectious disease experts) as part of a panel. Given that we’re getting news everyday about how that’s proceeding, seems like he’s doing his job fairly well. Maybe instead of criticizing the guy for not doing his job (which he can do while provide information to the media when requested), you should learn what his job actually entails.
    *************************************************************

  69. Dear mmmpierogi;

    I know exactly what Fauci’s job is. As a public servant, he is required to use his medical expertise to not only protect and inform the public, but to also formulate a national preventive and mitigation plan when foreign viral agents make their presence known in this country.

    To prevent a national epidemic of foreign viral agent introduced in this country, Fauci is required to have a plan of action formulated for just such an emergency. He is also responsible for ensuring that there is enough emergency equipment on hand that would be required if a domestic epidemic broke out. A plan of action also deals with vaccines.

    He failed to deliver a plan of action to deal with epidemics. He failed to ensure that we had enough PPE equipment and ventilators in stock for such an emergency. Alas, I’m afraid he’ll fail with the vaccine roll out as well. During times of crisis, it’s all hands on deck. None of the union blather of “that’s not my job”.

    That’s why he needs to be planning this vaccine roll out. But he is not. Fauci is a failed fatcat bureaucrat whose time has passed.

  70. The people here trashing Fauci for not being able to predict, with 100% accuracy, how a brand new virus, spread by people without symptoms, can be contained and eradicated…are the same people who can’t figure out if the Eagles are going to ‘cover’ this week…
    Incredible!

  71. beachsidejames says:
    December 1, 2020 at 2:49 pm
    For a guy that calls out the obvious after the fact and makes it up as he goes along he sure does get paid a lot.
    _________

    Nailed it

  72. dirt53 says:
    December 1, 2020 at 2:59 pm
    Dear mmmpierogi;

    I know exactly what Fauci’s job is. As a public servant, he is required to use his medical expertise to not only protect and inform the public, but to also formulate a national preventive and mitigation plan when foreign viral agents make their presence known in this country.

    …

    That’s why he needs to be planning this vaccine roll out. But he is not. Fauci is a failed fatcat bureaucrat whose time has passed.

    *************************************************************************

    To shut this down, look up the responsibilities of the Director of NIAID (Fauci’s title since ’84; it’s geared to overseeing research and its funding) as well as NIAID’s mission, which is also research focused. Look up his role on Operation Warp Speed. Compare all of that to what you listed. You’ll see that you don’t know what his job consists of (example: has nothing to do with ensuring the country has adequate PPE).

    If you’d admit to just not liking the guy or to valuing ideology over science or data, I’d say that’s your prerogative. You have the freedom to both. But don’t make stuff up and pass it off as fact. It’s lazy and, for whatever reason, is way too commonplace these days.

  73. The election is over. Biden won. Trump lost. Now, according to Fauci, we can re-open the schools, and fill the sports stadiums. Now, that it has no bearing on whether the incumbent will get re-elected, let’s open everything up, so the country can get back to normal.

    When Trump said, open the schools and play sports, people charged him with wanting people to die. (We have been played by fools like Fauci)

  74. Big Beef City says:
    December 1, 2020 at 2:34 pm
    270,000 dead americans and the comments here trashing Fauci and just the overall complete, stubborn ignorance of many of these posters is embarrassing and horrifying.

    ********************************************************************************

    The average age of death of people with Covid-19 = 78 years old. The average age of death of people in the USA = 78 years old.

    This is a virus that disproprotionately affects the elderly and the people with co-morbidities. We spent too much time, effort, and money protecting people who didn’t need to be protected (young and healthy), and no enough on the elderly and the sick.

  76. Cherry picking from Dr. Fauci’s old out-of context quotes is definitely convenient for some folks who want to hate on a great man of science. He was simply giving his assessment of the ever-changing novel COVID pandemic that no-one knew anything about. But. if it too convenient for you to just claim that you know better than a decorated scientist that devoted his entire life to science and research and serving human kind. It honestly sounds ungrateful to even go that route. What have we become? But then again, we are in age of social media and utter misinformation. I love what another contributor said about people getting their news from tweets, headlines and memes. It is a sad state of affairs.

  77. This guy should be a politician, he certainly has covered all bases and all opinions. Just 2 months ago he said we were doomed and would not be back to normal til 2022. This is why I do not watch any MSM.

  78. The effects on the children that have had going to school taken from them is far worse than any virus could have on them. Not looking at that fact is not only lazy its cruel to those children and their parents.

  80. dirt53 says:
    December 1, 2020 at 2:59 pm
    Dear mmmpierogi;

    I know exactly what Fauci’s job is. As a public servant, he is required to use his medical expertise to not only protect and inform the public, but to also formulate a national preventive and mitigation plan when foreign viral agents make their presence known in this country.

    To prevent a national epidemic of foreign viral agent introduced in this country, Fauci is required to have a plan of action formulated for just such an emergency. He is also responsible for ensuring that there is enough emergency equipment on hand that would be required if a domestic epidemic broke out. A plan of action also deals with vaccines.

    He failed to deliver a plan of action to deal with epidemics. He failed to ensure that we had enough PPE equipment and ventilators in stock for such an emergency. Alas, I’m afraid he’ll fail with the vaccine roll out as well. During times of crisis, it’s all hands on deck. None of the union blather of “that’s not my job”.

    That’s why he needs to be planning this vaccine roll out. But he is not. Fauci is a failed fatcat bureaucrat whose time has passed.

    Wow. Rarely get to see such a display of utter ignorance as this. I don’t think you got a single item of his job responsibilities correct. Made it all up obviously.
    I do give you one point, though. The grammar is excellent.

  81. Gee, I read somewhere that the president’s base is made up mostly of uneducated white men. Really?

  82. If he had any clue at all, those billion-dollar, TAX-FUNDED stadiums would have been put to better use early on to quarantine the sick and keep hospitals available for all the other emergencies that still happened but received longer wait times due to logistical mismanagement.

    But he’s just a partisan hack. A fraud. He shouldn’t be wasting anyone’s time anymore.

  83. A lot of these folks defending Fauci will be the same ones bashing him whenever he decides to open the country up. They will never concede.

  84. Sure, it’s all Fauci’s fault, not the Brainless Orange Menace.

    Health officials like Fauci can’t know everything there is to know about a mysterious virus. Information has changed over time. It would not be within Fauci’s power to “open up NFL stadiums” for government use. That’s part of the problem with taxpayer-funded stadiums – the owner owns them, not the taxpayers.

    Plus, no matter what Fauci or any other expert says, half the country will just follow the lies presented by the propaganda machine. And no, I’m not talking about the corporate media, which is a different kind of propaganda machine. I’m talking about the ones that ignore facts and promote baseless conspiracy theories in place of reality.

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