Coronavirus Soaring In Sports

Three UFC fighters had to cancel their fights July 11 after they or their camp members tested positive for coronavirus. The blame on the sudden increase in fighters testing positive can't be blamed on the UFC starting up again. They have had 8 events, with a dozen to two dozen fighters on each card and in all this time they have only had two fighters back out for testing positive.

 

Yet, all sports are getting hammered now with the re-surging first round of coronavirus cases in the United States.

For baseball fans, the AP reported that 31 players and 7 staff members tested positive as baseball begins testing players prior to opening day on July 23. Something interesting in baseball are players being placed on injured reserve with no description of the injuries suggesting the numbers of infected could be higher.

For soccer fans, the first game of the men's season scheduled on July 15 has been postponed because 6 members of one team, FC Dallas, have tested positive according to Soccer Today.  The women's league has been playing since last weekend with no reports of players testing positive.

For basketball fans, NPR reported that 25 NBA players have tested positive - 9 in the round of testing from June 24-25. The NBA is "tentatively" scheduled to resume on July 30.

For NFL fans, there is no word on when systematic testing will begin for NFL players. However, the NFL Players' Association wants all preseason games cancelled.  Training camp is supposed to start July 28. 

Is the surge in cases due to reopening, some people becoming complacent and no longer wearing masks, the protests, coronavirus parties among some young adults, or a more contagious form of the diseases as Fauci suggested last week? It is hard to say. Probably a combination of all factors.

I will say that during my walks with my wife last week, more people are wearing masks than we have seen since the end of June. That gives me hope that life will return to normal sooner rather than later.

Still, sports are a long way from beginning again, let alone having fans in attendance. Except the UFC with its fight island. Yes, Fight Island is real. It is in the Middle East in the country of Qatar as long as no more fighters are infected. 

I hope no one else is infected whether it is a fighter, athlete, or my neighbor.

Take care and be safe.

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

Coronavirus First Major Professional Sporting Event Tonight

Fight Island, Indian Casinos, Vegas, Denver, Florida

The UFC is fighting tonight! The first major sporting event during the coronavirus epidemic. The UFC is the premier organization for mixed martial arts, much like the NFL for football.

UFC President Dana White almost pulled off UFC 249 on April 18 by moving the event to an Indian Casino in California to avoid quarantine rules. But just days before the event, California Governor Newsom, Senator Feinstein, and as Dana White put it, the highest people at Disney/ESPN (UFC partners), told him to cancel.

So then he bought an island, called it Fight Island, that could not be touched by quarantine restrictions, location still undisclosed, and began constructing facilities to make the fight happen. It seemed like something out of a video game or a Bruce Lee movie.

While Dana confirmed he is still constructing the necessary infrastructure on his island, Florida, who deemed sports an essential business, offered to host the event.

And here we go.

The UFC is determined to make sure they do everything right as the world is watching. Safety measures include no crowd / audience; everyone in building, fighter, referee, camera crew member, etc., will be tested for the coronavirus; during weigh-ins, fighters wore masks and gloves; and other precautions.

If they bring this event off without becoming a coronavirus hotspot of infection, I am sure numerous other sporting events will start. The UFC already has two more fight nights scheduled in Florida on May 13 and May 16.

If anyone can do this right, I imagine it will be the UFC as they have the Big Mouse looking over their shoulder helping ensure it is done right.

One fighter tested positive for the coronavirus two days ago and he is now in quarantine.

We are going for a ride, I hope it is a smooth one.

Take care and be safe.

Posts Tuesday and Saturday