The Coronavirus has the potential to be incredibly harmful to people who are vulnerable and the people that may not be in danger have to do their part to protect them. Part of that is going to be shutting down public events. This includes sporting events. Yes, it is disappointing to lose a source of entertainment. Yes, it sucks for athletes to lose their seasons they trained so hard for. Yes, we need to be preventive so people don’t die.
We are not off to a good start and the preventative measures being spoken about are not an overreaction as some would have you believe.
EXCLUSIVE:
— Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) March 11, 2020
For weeks, thousands of flu samples sat in Seattle as researchers sought to test and flag them for coronavirus. The C.D.C. wouldn’t allow it.
When testing did happen, it was too late. The virus was upon us.https://t.co/mlEjBJl96Q w/ @sherifink
Things like this can spread exponentially and bringing thousands of people together for entertainment purposes is not a great idea at the moment.
That's the shift you don't want to see. pic.twitter.com/FmT56z6ONj
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) March 11, 2020
Social distancing can really help
This is a stunningly effective graph on the impacts of social distancing relative to coronavirus, via @tomaspueyo. pic.twitter.com/jmES2BLTzS
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) March 11, 2020
We are starting to see many sporting events closed off to the public with the NCAA’s March Madness as one of the most jarring. Colleges are cancelling their spring seasons. Some college teams are forfeiting their playoff games (Harvard). The local colleges in Rochester are all starting to cancel in-person classes and shifting to online setups for the remainder of the school year. This is a serious thing and when you look at the success social distancing can have it is hard to argue with this preventative approach.
The Penguins will be impacted by this and they will be playing in front of an empty arena when they take on the Blue Jackets.
Full #CBJ statement on the upcoming home game schedule. pic.twitter.com/krGEcEnd76
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 11, 2020
This is the right move, but how long until the games are not played at all? What happens if one of the players gets Coronavirus? We are entering unprecedented territory. Don’t be surprised if the season is postponed or cancelled. If that happens it would be totally acceptable to be disappointed. Just don’t be mad about it. Some things are more important than sports and protecting our vulnerable citizens is one of those things. It isn’t just about the fatality rate, either. We are talking about our hospitals and medical infrastructure being overloaded and unable to keep up with the need. We need to do our part by practicing the social distancing referenced above so we keep the numbers as low as possible.
Thanks for reading!