My latest is on how professional sports (worldwide) have so far been relatively successful at resuming play during the Covid-19 pandemic. I must admit, I was very skeptical 2 months ago. Yet, here we are. European soccer leagues completed their seasons (without being in a true bubble), even finishing the Champion’s League playoffs which culminated in yesterday’s final. The NHL and NBA are well into the resumption of play, practically without a hitch. MLB (no bubble) has had its share of problems. Yet, even MLB is doing much better than a couple of weeks ago.
It appears that professional leagues have done a MUCH better job planning and executing protocols than our government, and many governments worldwide.
Definitely – I thought there was no way to have done professional sports in the US. NBA appears to be doing a good job but the bubble helps and it being the playoffs (less games to manage) helps. NHL is smartly not in the USA and is only dealing with a handful playoffs. MLB still has its stumbling blocks and who I’m looking at the most because they are having a season however truncated – but it’s still warm weather and numbers were supposed to be going down anyway. The colder weather, return to schools, etc. – that is what I am not so sure of for the tail end of MLB and the middle section of the season for the NFL.
Good points about MLB and NFL. We’ll have to wait and see. Still, I’ve been pleasantly surprised thus far. Obviously, money’s at stake here, so players have a vested interest in following protocol.
Nice to see your Dr. I hope you and your family are all well
Always good to see you as well vicki. I hope the same for you and your family!
Excellent article, Joshua. Positive news is much needed
One of the many reasons why the U.S. has had such a poor response to the pandemic: Total lack of accountability. Politicians and government figures have frequently violated coronavirus protocols. The governors of Florida and Oklahoma comes to mind. Of course, Donald Trump and Mike Pence, frequently and persistently. Yet, no-one is held accountable. Their actions go unchecked. Contrast this is what is happening with Phil Hogan in Ireland. He was at a dinner with 80 people in the west of Ireland, and may lose his job as a result. I’m glad he’s under real pressure. Rules are rules, and they should be obeyed by everyone. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/23/eu-trade-chief-resists-calls-quit-covid-rules-breach-ireland-phil-hogan-golf-dinner
I should add Mayor de Blasio violated rules in March and April, at the height of the crisis in NYC. He’s the ultimate hypocrite, in my view. Can’t stand the guy.
TK talks about media coverage of the weather. I tend to agree. Sensationalism sells. Hence, the frequent overhype, especially of weather events that could have very negative repercussions. Well, same applies in my business. When I write a story that has a negative slant – gets people worried or upset – that tends to get lots of clicks. On the other hand, a positive news story, like the one I posted this morning, gets very few clicks. The editors at Forbes liked it. They gave it an “Editors’ Pick.” But, that still doesn’t make people click on it. Had I written something like “Professional sports about to implode” that would have invited tens of thousands of clicks. We’re definitely negativity and sensationalism driven, alas.
No doubt the NFL (and probably NCAA football as well) will be the biggest test of all the other sports. The players “breathe”on each other the most.
True. I think the key is player discipline off the field. I’m really pleasantly surprised at how well behaved players have been. The numbers of positive tests in all professional sports have really been minuscule. The media likes to hype the positive tests. But, if you look carefully you’ll find that even the MLB has had very, very few positive tests. I did not expect that. Different story in colleges, as we know. That’s why I don’t think college football will be a go this season.
Reasonable numbers nationwide today. Don’t think we’ll get to 40k new cases, which would be the first time below 40k on a Monday for 4 weeks. Don’t believe deaths will go over 500, which will be the first time on a Monday in 5 weeks. We are gradually improving. But, it’s still a painful process.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s appeal to have children to back to school in September. See link below. Note, the school system is Britain is much more centralized than here. That is, decisions made in London usually impact all school districts, though there is some discretion for deviation in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
My latest is on how professional sports (worldwide) have so far been relatively successful at resuming play during the Covid-19 pandemic. I must admit, I was very skeptical 2 months ago. Yet, here we are. European soccer leagues completed their seasons (without being in a true bubble), even finishing the Champion’s League playoffs which culminated in yesterday’s final. The NHL and NBA are well into the resumption of play, practically without a hitch. MLB (no bubble) has had its share of problems. Yet, even MLB is doing much better than a couple of weeks ago.
It appears that professional leagues have done a MUCH better job planning and executing protocols than our government, and many governments worldwide.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2020/08/24/success-story-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-professional-sports-so-far/#5de2b0ca3c8d
Definitely – I thought there was no way to have done professional sports in the US. NBA appears to be doing a good job but the bubble helps and it being the playoffs (less games to manage) helps. NHL is smartly not in the USA and is only dealing with a handful playoffs. MLB still has its stumbling blocks and who I’m looking at the most because they are having a season however truncated – but it’s still warm weather and numbers were supposed to be going down anyway. The colder weather, return to schools, etc. – that is what I am not so sure of for the tail end of MLB and the middle section of the season for the NFL.
Good points about MLB and NFL. We’ll have to wait and see. Still, I’ve been pleasantly surprised thus far. Obviously, money’s at stake here, so players have a vested interest in following protocol.
Nice to see your Dr. I hope you and your family are all well
Always good to see you as well vicki. I hope the same for you and your family!
Excellent article, Joshua. Positive news is much needed
One of the many reasons why the U.S. has had such a poor response to the pandemic: Total lack of accountability. Politicians and government figures have frequently violated coronavirus protocols. The governors of Florida and Oklahoma comes to mind. Of course, Donald Trump and Mike Pence, frequently and persistently. Yet, no-one is held accountable. Their actions go unchecked. Contrast this is what is happening with Phil Hogan in Ireland. He was at a dinner with 80 people in the west of Ireland, and may lose his job as a result. I’m glad he’s under real pressure. Rules are rules, and they should be obeyed by everyone. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/23/eu-trade-chief-resists-calls-quit-covid-rules-breach-ireland-phil-hogan-golf-dinner
I should add Mayor de Blasio violated rules in March and April, at the height of the crisis in NYC. He’s the ultimate hypocrite, in my view. Can’t stand the guy.
TK talks about media coverage of the weather. I tend to agree. Sensationalism sells. Hence, the frequent overhype, especially of weather events that could have very negative repercussions. Well, same applies in my business. When I write a story that has a negative slant – gets people worried or upset – that tends to get lots of clicks. On the other hand, a positive news story, like the one I posted this morning, gets very few clicks. The editors at Forbes liked it. They gave it an “Editors’ Pick.” But, that still doesn’t make people click on it. Had I written something like “Professional sports about to implode” that would have invited tens of thousands of clicks. We’re definitely negativity and sensationalism driven, alas.
No doubt the NFL (and probably NCAA football as well) will be the biggest test of all the other sports. The players “breathe”on each other the most.
True. I think the key is player discipline off the field. I’m really pleasantly surprised at how well behaved players have been. The numbers of positive tests in all professional sports have really been minuscule. The media likes to hype the positive tests. But, if you look carefully you’ll find that even the MLB has had very, very few positive tests. I did not expect that. Different story in colleges, as we know. That’s why I don’t think college football will be a go this season.
Reasonable numbers nationwide today. Don’t think we’ll get to 40k new cases, which would be the first time below 40k on a Monday for 4 weeks. Don’t believe deaths will go over 500, which will be the first time on a Monday in 5 weeks. We are gradually improving. But, it’s still a painful process.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s appeal to have children to back to school in September. See link below. Note, the school system is Britain is much more centralized than here. That is, decisions made in London usually impact all school districts, though there is some discretion for deviation in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1297815768915234827
C-19 for 8-25 ready…