FORT WORTH, Texas _ A personal trainer in the Fort Worth area isn't pleased with how the city has handled shutting down businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic.
APEC founder Bobby Stroupe felt blindsided by Mayor Betsy Price's state of emergency issued at 2 p.m. Wednesday, effectively shutting down bars, restaurants and gyms at midnight. On Saturday the city and county further restricted gatherings to groups larger than 10.
That left Stroupe scrambling after he had plans for a makeshift pro day Thursday for 33 aspiring NFL prospects training at his facility. On Monday, the city had cut building capacity to half the regular occupancy limit, not to exceed 125 people, through March 23.
"I understand the importance of social distancing and taking this pandemic very seriously," Stroupe said. "But I had less than three hours in a business day to notify people from 13 different states that traveled to Fort Worth to train at my facility to do a pro day that no longer can do it.
"I wasn't given ample notice. I asked the city for an extension and was told no. We were already doing it the right way by CDC guidelines, training in small groups of 10 or less.
"I'm furious. People that contribute to the physical, emotional and mental health of this city, this state, this country, should be open to operate within the guidelines of what the CDC puts out. Period."
Along with the aspiring NFL players such as Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills, a possible top-10 selection, Stroupe is training several current NFL players, including reigning Super Bowl MVP and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman and former Dallas Cowboys great Dez Bryant.
Stroupe reached out to as many city officials as possible to get an extension or some sort of leeway. The answer was a firm no on keeping his business open. He said a woman working for the city threatened arrests and fines if he held training sessions or a pro day.
For Stroupe, the frustrating part is his business being labeled as a "gym" with chains such as 24 Hour Fitness and Life Time Fitness. As an appointment-based facility, he doesn't believe APEC should fall under the same label.
Fort Worth's director of code compliance, Brandon Bennett, provided the city's definition of a "gym" as anywhere where people gather for a workout or health class. While one-one-one classes wouldn't qualify, a large group training would, Bennett said.
"When we start getting groups of people, the risk really goes up of viral spread," Bennett said.
That definition isn't sitting well with Stroupe. He pointed to the notion that retail stores and nail salons didn't face the same regulations.
Barbershops and similar businesses must limit the number of people in their stores to half the building's occupancy rate. In these shops, interactions are typically one-on-one, Bennett said, and people can use gloves or face masks. These mandates are always evolving and may be tightened in the coming days, he said.
"I think it's just common sense that trying on pants at Dillard's is a little more risky than working out under CDC guidelines," Stroupe said. "Our guys have been here for 12 weeks, putting money into the Fort Worth economy and doing things the right way and safely."
Tarrant County announced that as of 6 p.m. Saturday that malls and all non-essential retail stores such as nail salons and barber shops must close.
