WHEN news broke out that 47 participants in the upcoming Australian Open have to be confined because they tested Covid-19 positive, I had two thoughts—one, that’s an awful lot, and two, this is fricking insane.
I can understand trying to get on with our lives but I am confused. I am not sure what professional tennis’ plans are for the inoculation of its players.
I am also not sure if sports should be played.
Look at it this way, almost 40,000 Australians are stranded because flights have cancelled flights to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Granted organizers of the Australian Open chartered their own planes is beside the point. However, with all those testing positive, that means their testing isn’t up to snuff. And that is the same from wherever they came from—hometowns, airports, even their own homes.
And why the hell are people traveling? I am seeing pictures of people traveling and I really wonder about the wisdom of this. Yes, economies need to get back on track. But the virus isn’t beaten by a longshot. In fact, the numbers keep rising.
And let me ask…has everyone been vaccinated?
Going back to the Australian Open, who is reported to have come down with the virus? Andy Murray, Victoria Azarenka, Sloane Stephens and Heather Watson are just some of the players infected.
If I look laterally to the English Premier League, the match between Everton and Aston Villa was cancelled because of Covid-19. Aston Villa, in fact, fielded a mix of under-23 and under-18 players during an FA Cup match. And there are players from other teams who have one time or another tested positive for Covid-19.
Cross-continent, the Golden State Warriors’ match in Phoenix as well as the Washington Wizards-Detroit Pistons games were postponed because of contact tracing surrounding infected and possibly infected players.
I guess that begs the question—why not put everyone in a bubble? That was successful last year.
Sports is fine, but this cross-country and cross-continent travel is insane. With the new virus strain causing all sorts of apprehension, I have to postulate whether or not this extra-curricular activity is somewhat irresponsible.
I am all for sports being played as it gives people something to look out for, but I also think of the ordinary folks who have lost their jobs or seen their income cut down while the privileged few “get on” with their lives.
And yet, the argument of certain industries moving is fine… but come on! Either stick them all in a bubble, make sure everyone is vaccinated, and ensure that the safety measures are all stringent and tight.
I know of one local league that was supposed to have placed themselves in a bubble. Only it wasn’t air tight as they like people to believe it was (as some folks moved to and fro in and out of the bubble).
Every time I go out (only to buy food and the basic necessities I must stress) I am frightened. I see many many people not practicing social distancing or even the wearing of face masks and shields. You ask them to observe some distance, and they get upset. What the!
What beggars my mind even more is that there are many people who do not believe that the pandemic is real. They believe it is some hoax perpetuated by governments and the rich to take over whatever.
I believe the circumstances surrounding the virus spreading is suspicious and yes, some governments and corporate sectors took advantage of it, the virus is real.
When I see the argument of professional sports supposedly providing escape and entertainment in this time of pandemic, I think to the character of Russell Crowe in the film, Gladiator, where he says to a confused audience in the Colosseum, “Are you not entertained?”
He says it with utmost sarcasm at a crowd that howls for blood but at the expense of what?
Me?
I’ll admit, I don’t follow the sports I used to save for English football, and that’s to a certain extent. Overall…I am more concerned and frightened than entertained.