An Open Letter to Sports (and the World)
Maggie attempts to wrap her head around the pandemic and what it's done to the sports world.
By MaggieLoney
I’ve been stewing on the feeling that I need to write this letter for a little while now. We’ve entered uncharted territory, and I thought maybe I could write the kind of letter that I’d want to sit down and read. One that might make me feel a little better in such times of uncertainty. If you’d rather “stick to sports” you might want to skip this one. I’ve felt myself becoming more and more defeated about all of this, feeling insignificant and helpless in the grand scheme of things, and writing is just about the only thing I know how to do that occasionally helps me to feel better.
This past week has been one unlike any other, in recent memory or ever, quite frankly. Like so many others around the world, I’ve spent the last few nights on the couch with my phone in my hands, watching the NBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS temporarily suspend or postpone seasons. Even the NCAA tournament canceled play, sending America into a different kind of March madness.
I know a lot of us are sitting here wondering what we’re supposed to do until sports are back on our televisions. Until it’s deemed safe to enter a stadium in team colors and get lost in a game for three hours.
To so many of us, sports are an escape. Sports unite us when not much else in the world is capable of doing so. Sports are normal, everyday routine. And to not have that, is scary.
I know there are plenty of people, possibly even some reading this, that don’t understand the urgency sweeping the nation. The urgency to sanitize more thoroughly than ever, practice social distancing, and hopefully try to lessen the spread of what so many have deemed “just a cold.”
For a lot of us, COVID-19 could end up being just that, a cold. Some of us might get the virus without even registering that we have it. The symptoms will present like any other seasonal flu or cold. But for at least somebody you know, in your intimate circle or simply as an acquaintance, the virus is much more than that. And it’s our responsibility to step up and take action for those that aren’t able to protect themselves on their own.
While it’s startling to see such unified closures taking place around the United States, I want to instead present all of this as a positive. This is an opportunity for us as a nation to look back a few months from now and say “I’m glad we were so prepared,” instead of “I wish we could have done more.” Even if you yourself find these measures extreme or drastic, being proactive is a much better strategy than being reactive.
Let’s put it into sports terms, because this is a sports site after all. Right now, the United States is Za’Darius Smith wrapping up Kirk Cousins for a sack. While some of you may have a hard time envisioning Cousins actually completing a pass for a positive gain, with Smith’s sack, it doesn’t matter because the play is over. The opportunity for forward progress is no longer. America has to make sure there’s no possible forward progress left for this virus.
These next few weeks are going to be filled with challenges. Hell, these next few months probably will get a lot worse before they get better. But we can overcome this. We, as a nation, can rally. Not just for ourselves, but for the entire world.
NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, and countless others, I applaud you for taking this seriously.
If you haven’t read already, you’ll likely read very soon the phrase “flatten the curve.” What this aims to do is delay the spread of the virus so that hospital systems and healthcare workers aren’t overwhelmed to the point of becoming ineffective. One way to hopefully flatten the curve is avoiding large crowds. Even if you are a young, healthy individual that likely won’t run into complications from COVID-19, as many of us won’t, being diligent and avoiding large crowds could protect someone very near and dear to you.
So, what are we supposed to do until sports come back? What do we do when the thing we use to distract ourselves from everyday life isn’t there anymore to be the distraction?
Well. My 2020 resolution was to read 20 books, and I was actually in the middle of a book about a global pandemic, so I think I’ll put that one down and read something a little more lighthearted. But I’ll work on that goal nonetheless. If you’re a religious person, lean on your faith. If you’re a social person, lean on your loved ones (but don’t actually lean on them because remember, social distancing).
Watch highlight videos of your favorite sports moments. Because trust me, I understand the significance of not having sports around to turn on when I need to mute the world. I’ve thrown myself into the NFL Draft like the world has never seen before. Take to Twitter and find your community of sports fans. Make it a positive place.
And please, above all else, be kind to one another. Just because you personally aren’t afraid of what’s to come doesn’t mean the person right next to you has that same mindset. If someone you know is struggling, help them. Sports have helped us overcome social and political differences for decades. Think like a team. Everyone do your one-eleventh. Give someone an extra smile or hello at the grocery store. When you bump into someone at Kwik Trip, say “ope” and ask how they’re doing.
This is bigger than any one individual or even one country. This is a pandemic. If you live somewhere that’s already being ravaged by the virus, please take care of yourself. Stay safe.
I can’t wait to share a beer with you all at Lambeau this fall. We can beat this. Sports have shown us that miracles happen and Hail Mary does answer again. In the meantime, wash your hands and Go Pack Go.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
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Maggie Loney is a writer for Cheesehead TV and podcaster for the Pack-A-Day Podcast and Pack's What She Said. Find her on Twitter at @MaggieJLoney.
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Comments (85)
Packer_Fan
March 13, 2020 at 07:14 am
Is this our new normal? Hysteria and panic in both people and financial markets. Sensationalism and politicizing in the media. Our whole world, including sports are thrown upsidedown. Yes, we must be careful. But what about the 300 plus people who die each week from the "normal" flu. What about the equal number of people who die on our roads each week from impaired drivers from alcohol and marijuana. What about the hundreds of people dying each week from guns. And what about the thousands of babies dying each week from abortions. I believe all life is precious. And we all are going crazy. Crazy over a new threat while our "normal" posture ignore so many more innocent deaths.
D.D.Driver
March 13, 2020 at 07:58 am
I think plenty of people are hysterical about those issues, too. What makes this different is that we don't have to worry about all the hospital beds in America full of drunk driving victims. And, if all the hospital beds in America are already full of corona patients: where will we treat the drunk driving victims? This is not an end of days plague, but we are in for a year or so.
WMA
March 13, 2020 at 10:56 am
First time I have given someone a down vote. Please educate yourself of how this virus is different.
Hematite
March 13, 2020 at 10:57 am
Your new normal ain't my new normal.
4zone
March 13, 2020 at 12:38 pm
Sports are sports. Yet they are people's paychecks as well. If we shut all sports down, then it only follows we should shut all business down. Think of the number of people who file through the local Walmarts every day, exposing employees and each other to potential risk.
Shutting down these events aren't going to stop people from gathering, they will just gather somewhere else, like the local tavern. What do you expect sports addicts to do when you take their drug away, they will medicate with other drugs of course.
The U.S. is ill equipped to handle these types of situations. We are a open markets based economy, geared toward profits of individual businesses, China on the other hand, has a government that can do whatever it wants, whenever it wants to bring about unprecedented resources to combat such an outbreak. The U.S. can't duplicate that focus. So we have to slow it down as much as possible to allow the massively unwieldy healthcare machine to bear to effectively address what is coming.
There is far too much over reaction to the virus which has made it far more damaging than it had to have been had level heads prevailed. There are those as well who have pooh pooh'd this as a complete non-issue, which is equally as damaging. So, take a deep breath, be smart, don't panic, and be a positive, calm example to everyone around you.
By the way, I'm an unemployed aviation professional. What do you thing all this is having on my prospect of ever getting hired in the foreseeable future? If I can deal with it, you all can too.
Have a great off season all.
PatrickGB
March 13, 2020 at 01:01 pm
About five thousand people a year die from lightning strikes. And about 56 thousand people a year die in the US from auto accidents. We have a few deaths from this virus in our country from this virus (mostly in nursing homes) so far. Perhaps it’s a bit overblown. But that doesn’t mean I go out in lightning storms or don’t drive carefully. Perhaps this scare will remind us all that human life is dear and often fragile.
egbertsouse
March 13, 2020 at 07:36 am
Yeah, l don’t listen to all those scientists and doctors. My tinfoil hat will protect me.
Leatherhead
March 13, 2020 at 08:30 am
38 deaths, 26 of them from one long term care facility. This is nothing compared to the swine flu. We are overreacting.
Swine flu... 60 million infected in the US, 300000 hospitalized. Did we go nuts over that? No.
mrtundra
March 13, 2020 at 09:23 am
The coronavirus could ultimately infect 150 million people, on the high end of the count. On Tuesday, Wisconsin had 2 confirmed case of the virus. On Thursday, the number of confirmed cases was up to 31, according to the graph I saw. The numbers of confirmed infected will go up, exponentially, unless we as a nation, start getting serious about testing for this virus and treating the people infected with it. Don't tell me people are just being hysterical. If you are an older citizen the virus could be more devastating to you. Younger people may contract the virus, but not get as sick as an older person who has contracted it. The coronavirus has been compared to the Flu, by the President. That is a lie. The coronavirus and it's effects are 10 times worse than the flu. Wash your hands! Clean counter top surfaces, doorknobs, light switches with a germicidal liquid with bleach in it. Avoid crowds, as well. For a while, we have to change the way we live if we want to defeat this pandemic.
Leatherhead
March 13, 2020 at 09:42 am
Could. I am older. We are working to get more testing kits.
It IS like the flu. People die from the flu especially if they’re old and sick. You go ahead and change your life because you’re afraid of what COULD happen. I hope that works for you. I’m just going to continue eating right, exercisIng, and practicing good hygiene.
Life keeps getting shorter the older you get and nothing is guaranteed. I’ll be double damned if I will spend the little time I have left hiding in fear.
greengold
March 13, 2020 at 10:26 am
Hey, shove that up yours. 10 X MORE CONTAGIOUS...
CONSIDER THE WELL BEING OF OTHERS.
Don't be a dick. No need for bravado. 1000 people dead in Italy. All I know, is I do not want to be passing this onto any of my family members for them to pass onto theirs, etc. Nor do I want to compromise my elderly parents.
The stuff you're spewing is ignorant, meathead BS.
Leatherhead
March 13, 2020 at 12:11 pm
Insults do not make your argument any stronger.
Here are some ignorant facts:
55000 Americans died from the flu last year. 13000 died from the swine flu 10 years ago. The flu is the 6th leading cause of death in this country. Globally, it kills millions every year, predominantly older people with other health issues.
If you want to hide in fear, be my guest. But you have no right to insist that I agree. I’m not really going to reorganize my life around this, no matter what insults you throw at me.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 13, 2020 at 06:16 pm
I have considerable sympathy for your position. The R naught factor is used as a model to forecast, but there probably is insufficient data to determine what it is. Right now it appears to be 2 to 3.13, which is almost double the contagion factor for normal influenza and is 50 percent higher than swine flu.
Swine flu had a very low moratality rate, just 0.02% (two in 10,000 cases). The mortality rate is falling for COVID-19: it was 3% but has dropped to 2.3%. COVID appears to be 20 times more lethal.
So, it seems prudent to avoid unnecessary large gatherings. K-12 schools can close - the days can be made up (though I doubt teachers will do that). The US needs time to make testing units and stock up on other medical supplies. Flattening the curve so as not to overwhelm the medical infrastructure seems advisable.
At present, I don't see the need to close factories, close down trucking company operations (the virus doesn't live long on packages - hours at most), office buildings, and the like. The President and Governors will have to thread the needle in terms of not over or under-reacting. I don't expect the press to give this President any slack.
Samson
March 14, 2020 at 01:27 pm
Oops... be careful Thegreatreynoldo,
Some people don't like the facts unless it supports their 'extreme positions.'
OS is one of those people.
Leatherhead
March 14, 2020 at 02:23 pm
You cannot help yourself, can you? It has to be personal with you
Samson
March 14, 2020 at 02:48 pm
Hey... take your attitude & stick it where the sun don't.. You still have zero credibility just like your POTUS.
Gravedigger93
March 13, 2020 at 01:23 pm
It is not like the flu. I study infectious diseases for a living. This is the best characterization of COVID-19 so far. It appears to be more infectious than the flu. It has a higher mortality rate. There is no vaccine for COVID-19, there are no treatments for it after becoming ill. The ability to spread the virus without showing symptoms may be longer than the flu. It may not die out with warmer weather. Other coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS did not. These are all major differences. There are still many uncertainties concerning COVID-19. Please be safe, sounds like you are looking after yourself well but also consider more vulnerable populations. Wishing you good health.
4thand1
March 14, 2020 at 12:51 pm
TY for the cooler head and explaining facts. My mother is 86 and has a bad heart, this virus would most certainly kill her. If people don't care about their own health, think of others. If you're a smoker, follow the advice of drs. 80% of people will have a mild case of flu like symtoms, 20% could be hospitalized. That's 200,000 out of a million infected. It most likely will be higher, I hope not, but those are the facts.
greengold
March 13, 2020 at 08:00 am
Very well said, Maggie. Know your message is important, and thanks for sharing this. I appreciate your effort here.
I'll add, "don't be a fool," to those who belittle what is occurring. This is not the time to be cavalier and boastful, as the threat is real and this virus is contagious for longer than normal. China is far better prepared for handling outbreaks like this, and it has taken them 2-3 months for this to stabilize. The US is in danger of a far worse outbreak, so heed the warnings.
This is SCIENCE, not hysteria.
More things will be shut down over the coming weeks, and if you're still inclined to go out, just be vigilant to wash your hands after being in public so you don't transfer the virus to the elderly and those who are immunosuppressed. Many of us probably already carry it and are unaware. Think of your families, friends and loved ones, and wash your hands, wash your butt. Diligently and regularly wipe down your keyboards, door handles, etc. Anything "PROACTIVE" as Maggie mentioned will help. Failing to could really hurt.
I'm going to miss all of my sports junkie escapes, but, this is more important. Nice work! Be cool everybody. Be smart. Wishing all of my Packers fan friends well.
PackfanNY
March 13, 2020 at 09:10 am
To suggest “China is far better prepared for handling outbreaks”....So many things wrong with that statement I can’t even begin to address it.
Leatherhead
March 13, 2020 at 09:46 am
If you believe that everything the Bad Orange Man does or says is bad, of course it makes sense. Objectively, it’s nonsense.
greengold
March 13, 2020 at 11:13 am
That is just STUPID talk - and it is exactly the attitude that gets you or more likely a bunch of other people in trouble OR DEAD. I suppose you like coughing into salad bars too. Please tell us all about your expertise with infectious disease...guessing it involves various salad bars and bathroom door handles, amongst others.
I remember working ICU when AIDS first came out. I'll wait...
TarynsEyes
March 13, 2020 at 11:58 am
I believe buffets, salad bars etc are the most disease riddled places in society open to the public. I do not partake in such and haven't for decades. Just watching from a distance the disgusting things people do without reservation and those who see it and ignore with same is a reminder to me why I stopped patronizing such a long time ago.
greengold
March 13, 2020 at 11:35 am
Then, I'm sorry, you are showing yourself to be completely ignorant regarding their protocols.
Just trying to help PackFanNY, but, go ahead and keep up the BS. The longer people with that mindset and ignorance continue carrying on as if nothing is wrong, the longer all of us have to wait. Sports.
Wake up. Help those around you by maybe trying... Really, I'm just sharing what I know to help others, Including those tossing politics into this...
Many are not understanding with an epidemic, it is essential to do anything you can to stop the spread of the virus. Right away. We're just being assaulted, our country, right now. Two weeks ago Monday 11 had died in Washington. Last Monday that total doubled. Wouldn't be surprised if that total quadruples by Monday.
As things stand, I bet we'll be lucky to see MLB start by June 1...
China had testing, and they are just now stabilizing, more than 3 months after the outbreak. The US has ZERO testing available to the general public. ZERO. So, if China only stabilized the outbreak after, say 3.5 months, how long do you think it will take us, in the US, with no way to determine who has it to get things back to normal?
6 months? When does the NFL season start??? Not a baseball fan? NBA fan??? Jesus H.... I'm done.
fordguy
March 14, 2020 at 03:03 pm
Shows how much of a ignorant, arrogant jackass you are praising China for their handling of this. But you seem to forget the biggest part about them hiding the virus from the public and the fact that the government can kill or jail you for speaking out about what's really going on there.
Funny how you say people shouldn't bring politics into this, yet you have nothing but DNC talking points to regurgitate.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 14, 2020 at 07:38 pm
I also don't fully understand why people think China can do a better job of containment than the US. Geographically it is a very large country, but it also still has a population density of 375 people per square mile - it is 94 people per square mile in the US. It is much harder for China to prevent people from being in close proximity to one another.
China is authoritarian. It can and did lockdown Hubei province, prohibiting people from leaving or entering the area. It previously had quarantined Huanggang and Wuhan, cities with populations of 7 and 11 million people. The province of Hubei has over 58 million people, so that would be 4% of China's total population. I see references to a work holiday in early February but I haven't found any good descriptions of that measure.
Now that a National Emergency has been declared, the US can impose similarly draconian measures if the President, and indeed Governors deem them necessary, though the courts will have to sign on as they have in the past in quarantine cases since freedom of travel is a fundamental right.
IshpemingPackAttack
March 13, 2020 at 08:27 am
Maggie I have to say that your letter was very insightful and heartfelt. I thank you. It was a reminder that people sometimes get their priorities mixed up. Sports are a huge part of my life and I definitely bleed Green and Gold but, my family always comes first. My children and grandchildren are my life and the thought of losing any of them would be devastating. I have to admit that it is a strange feeling to turn on my TV and not see my normal sports on the boob tube but,I totally agree with the decision and I will survive. May I say that Aaron and Corey have found a true gem in you Maggie. Keep up the good work!!!
To Maggie and all fellow sports fans.....Take care of you and yours. Sports will be back!!!!
Lphill
March 13, 2020 at 08:44 am
Well said Maggie, but we all need to take a step back, 10 people drown everyday, 30 to 50 thousand die every year from the flu etc... The Chinese need to come clean about this because it was going on long before they finally revealed anything, I live in New York there are about 200 cases , 100 of them are from the same community, there are almost 20 million people in New York , I like my odds.
Rebecca
March 15, 2020 at 03:35 pm
You are misinformed
Handsback
March 13, 2020 at 08:45 am
A few weeks ago my grandson had the flu. At the same time I wasn't feeling very good...coughing and hacking. The day after my grandson was tested positive for flu, I went in and got tested. I had an upper respiratory infection that came on much quicker than in the past. Now those who live outside Texas need to know that seasonal allergies in Texas causes this. So took my cough medicine and antibiotics. I'm retired so outside my contact with my grandson and family is limited to book writing peers, Bible story groups, and weekend card games.
This question is the hard one that people will have to figure out themselves. Did I have the COVID-19 or was it seasonal allergies that overcome my system once or twice a year? Previous to getting ill, I was down in Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and it was a week before my symptoms showed up. I'm not going to be tested because I'm quite certain there aren't enough test kits to go around.
I"m over 60 and if you look at the data...in that sweet spot of being really impacted by the virus. In Japan nobody under the age of 60 has died, in South Korea nobody under the age of 33 has died. I suspect the US will be similar to Japan.
So right now, 58 deaths occur daily in the World are attributed to CORVID-19. That's more than Dengue Fever at 50/day and a lot less than Yellow Fever at 82/day. For reference the Norovirus (found a lot on cruise ship flu like symptoms) kills 548 people in a day.
Putting the data in perspective, there's been an over-reaction to CORVID-19 when you consider that 12,000 people died in the US from H1V1 (Swine flu) pandemic in 2010 far exceeds any mortality rate in the US for CORVID-19. The government did nothing as drastic as they are now.
The odd thing in my mind is why people think stocking up and hording TP, food, paper towels, is essential? I'm going to blame it on my son's show the Walking Dead. It has warped the mind-set that this virus could be the one isolates people for months on end. The people at risk are in retirement homes, older people with bad health issues, and probably Texans that suffer seasonal allergies that would put this virus in the fast track.
Every person in American should be scared to death of the following: >90% of the drug we use for antibodies come from China. Now China is saying maybe they want to hold back their medicine from the US. Since the medicine was developed by International drug companies, they own the patents, just farm out to China to make it, hard to figure out how they can justify that action.
If we have learned anything, it should be to move manufacturing away from China and back to the the US/Canada/Mexico. Sorry if this sounds political, but why would any sane person put all their eggs in the China basket? Now that mistake may be the most painful affect of the CORVID-19 virus.
PeteK
March 13, 2020 at 09:53 am
Have you been paying attention to how fast this spread in Italy? So all the thousands of medical experts around the world are wrong.
TarynsEyes
March 13, 2020 at 11:02 am
Have you any clue as to how bad the overall health of European countries is and why it is that way? The failure of the very Socialistic Medical Care that the Dems wish to impose upon you here in America.
Now tell me how many Americans who travel to Europe and get sick or hurt, are happy that they can't get home to get their medical care. The first they wish is to be able to click their heels together and be home. Europe and Asia is a cesspool of disease and the everyday people won't get the care we get here.
jannesbjornson
March 13, 2020 at 11:46 am
Irresponsible gibberish.
PeteK
March 13, 2020 at 04:22 pm
The initial spread has little to do with their health care system. Furthermore, Europeans and Asians on the whole are much healthier than Americans. Dems or Reps who cares, the #1 issue in America right now is health care affordability. In the richest country by far in the world, California 7th richest economy in the world, people are going bankrupt or are having a difficult time paying medical insurance and bills. Health care should not be treated as a luxury, it even affects the healthy and young.
13TimeChamps
March 13, 2020 at 06:37 pm
Our borderline obese, cheeseburger guzzling President is a shining example of how healthy Americans are compared to the rest of the world.
PeteK
March 13, 2020 at 07:31 pm
hahahahaha
Leatherhead
March 14, 2020 at 02:35 pm
Many Americans are obese, and we do like our cheeseburgers. Yet our community health far exceeds other nations.
I think we’re a good example.
13TimeChamps
March 14, 2020 at 04:26 pm
"The analysis showed that the United States is home to the highest number of overweight and obese people in the world. In the U.S., 70.9 percent of men and 61.9 percent of women are overweight or obese, compared to 38 percent of men and 36.9 percent of women worldwide."
Great example. Have another cheeseburger.
ILPackerBacker
March 13, 2020 at 12:29 pm
TX math.
A "FEW WEEKS AGO". C19 did not exist 11 weeks ago. So "A FEW WEEKS AGO" he had something and despite the fact no C19 had been found in TX a dumbs$$$ has now determined that he "MIGHT" have had it and because now he is fine it means C19 is a fake threat.
TX, we should have let them go back to Mexico.
Handsback
March 13, 2020 at 09:16 pm
PeteK, I read the data. I'm not saying it won't spread...I'm saying two things, and I guess I wasn't clear:
1. It may/will hit a lot of people (just like a common cold but more infectious), but the deaths happen to old people (like me) that have respiratory or high blood pressure condition. Ex.only deaths in Japan, > 70 years old. Italy has an older population approx 15 years older then the US mean age. So guess what...they will be hit hard too.
2. China makes all the medicine to fight it, that has to change very quickly.
In my lifetime I haven't seen this much effort except for the polio vaccine. In 2010 12, 000 people died from H1V1 in the US. Last year 6,600 people died of the flu in the US.
The question I have to ask is will the Corona Virus even hit 6,600 deaths in the US? I don't think so but that's my opinion.
WMA
March 13, 2020 at 11:05 am
Agree with moving manufacturing away from China.
stockholder
March 13, 2020 at 02:25 pm
I Blame Russia. They had the Flu before China.
PeteK
March 13, 2020 at 03:43 pm
That would mean US companies giving up some profits. good luck
WMA
March 13, 2020 at 05:20 pm
Actually Vietnam, India and Malaysia offer lower cost manufacturing options as well. Plus some products may make sense to bring back to North America.
greengold
March 13, 2020 at 08:46 am
Have to add something. Spent 13 years of my life working in ICU's around the country. The most important part right now and for the next 3 weeks (possibly longer) will be containment.
Few to none of us have been tested. Think of your families, everyone, and try to postpone some of the gatherings over this next month. The numbers will get way worse before they get better, and younger people can spread this easily, without even knowing to parents, grandparents, etc., as well as to those taking meds that suppress their immune systems.
Just wanted to pass along, as every one thing you do as an individual can help keep the spread of coronavirus to a minimum, and... sports.
Yes, we can have sports again. Let's be smart. Sports.
RedRight49
March 13, 2020 at 09:19 am
Team owners and their Board of Directors don't forgo tens or hundreds of millions of dollars without being convinced it is in their best interest to
do so!
The stoppage of games and competitions in so many sports is done by smart, shrewd business owners who must believe it is in their long term best interests to temporarily curtail their sports businesses.
Perhaps there is even a sense of community interests too in their decision making, nevertheless, no business, sports or otherwise, willingly forgoes unimaginable millions of dollars of revenue without just cause.
Suck It Up - Many of us played sports at some point in our lives and were coached to " Suck it up" when playing with pains, or when facing very tough opponents, or when seconds were left on the time clock and the momentum was swinging the wrong way and you are sore and dead tired but had to hold on to a 1 point lead, etc.
With the Corona Virus as our opponent, we are one big team, like it or not, and we all have to Suck It Up to get through a couple of ugly months we will all dislike, actually hate.
Containment of the virus is important and unfortunately containment is in large part done by curtailment of large gatherings including sports events.
Good well reasoned article, Maggie.
dobber
March 13, 2020 at 10:12 am
There are a few memes going around, some tweets, that say the ultimate objective is for us to be able to say when this passes that we overreacted. I hope this is true.
Be aware though that this is just the first wave. It's not going away. We have to see what it will be like in the fall...it could be much worse, and may continue to be a problem until vaccines go mainstream.
WMA
March 13, 2020 at 10:54 am
Maggie. Excellent article. My wife's condition puts her at high risk of death if she were to get Covid-19. Fortunate I can work from home. We all need to work toward flattening the curve. Stay healthy everyone.
jeremyjjbrown
March 13, 2020 at 11:35 am
"I know a lot of us are sitting here wondering what we’re supposed to do until sports are back on our televisions. "
Go watch some of the classic games you've never watched.
How many have watched SB I and II ?
How many millennial have watched Magic and Kareem?
Or the 1980 US Mens Hockey team?
I bet some folks here haven't watched Super Bowl XXXI.
There are too many to list.
MaggieLoney
March 13, 2020 at 11:39 am
Now is a really good time to check out the Legacy documentary, too! Great series.
ILPackerBacker
March 13, 2020 at 12:22 pm
This week M to W the CDC tested 77 people for C19. that is not a mis print. 77.
If nobody is tested then the 'results' look great for political purposes.
Germany offered test kits but they were refused.
WHO offered kits; refused.
State asked to develop test kits; refused.
Private companies were also denied until recently.
Math should not scare people.
REGULAR FLU: 1 full year, 365 days, 7.54 BILLION people with MULTIPLE exposures in that year. Hundreds of BIllions of exposure.
C19: Did not exist 11 weeks ago. ZERO EXPOSURES.
Ohio math is sound. 100K+ cases. Can not confirm because the test kits are missing. This projects to nearly 5 million cases country wide.
Death rate 10 x higher than flu.
Leatherhead
March 13, 2020 at 12:50 pm
5 million cases in the US? We had 60 million cases of the swine flu. 300,000 were hospitalized. 13000 died.
Why is this worse? Because the media is telling us it’s worse.
PeteK
March 13, 2020 at 07:38 pm
They were spread out over many months this outbreak can overwhelm the health system because it can spread quickly over a few wks. JEEZ!!!!
jannesbjornson
March 13, 2020 at 01:02 pm
The indication is that the test kits initially developed by the under-staffed CDC were inadequate. New test kits are in production and should be able to Public Health Organizations and clinicss , hopefully by next week. Fallacy of Composition arguments and flat earth speculation do not make for sound information as you have noted. This is a serious viral outbreak. There are vaccinations developed for the seasonal flu viruses, but not for this new outbreak. World's apart in comparison.
Thank you for your comment.
Lphill
March 13, 2020 at 01:52 pm
Stop watching MSNBC .
jannesbjornson
March 13, 2020 at 06:02 pm
Correct, it would be best to read the recent coverage in the Journal of Virology, The American Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health, The Lancet or any of a number of International publications dedicated to the study of Viruses and their transmission.
Advanced modeling is readily available on the World Health Organization website.
jeremyjjbrown
March 13, 2020 at 06:19 pm
Stop watching Cable News.
Read Reuters, WSJ, NPR and other fact based news outlets. Research all relevant topics for yourself from sources with documentation.
4zone
March 13, 2020 at 04:44 pm
When compared to 'known' cases. Actual percentage is much lower
lowcsp
March 13, 2020 at 08:06 pm
and we know C19 did not exist more than 11 weeks ago how ? know one was tested for it . You guys are making me tired with all the sanitizing, bleaching door knobs an such that I am going to sit down with a scotch an watch a rerun of the walking dead.
Lare
March 13, 2020 at 01:00 pm
Bottom line, people disinfecting and washing their hands more often is a good thing.
TarynsEyes
March 13, 2020 at 01:11 pm
The shame is people need this kind of tragedy to instill in them the danger of not washing your hands often and refrain from the stupid bro hugging of everyone while ignoring where they've been, did or have as to personal hygiene.
PatrickGB
March 13, 2020 at 01:30 pm
I just watched a funny video montage where officials warned people to “ don’t touch their face” as they were actually touching their own faces.
Some habits are hard to change...(written as I, must have, touched my own face five times)
TarynsEyes
March 13, 2020 at 01:39 pm
I would suggest strongly that the message should be don't touch another's face and then touch yours. But I see absolutely no reason why I can't touch my since, especially since I'm the one who needs to wash it. As long I only touch myself, why can't I touch myself if I wash very often.
PeteK
March 13, 2020 at 07:41 pm
Relax this is a family site. LOL
The_Justicar
March 13, 2020 at 09:51 pm
Well, do you know where your hands have been?
Lare
March 13, 2020 at 01:36 pm
I agree, but people need to use a little common sense also. Hugging & shaking the hands of others certainly spreads germs.
And while I thank those of you who wash their hands after using a restroom in a public place, when you consider that 2/3 of the people don't, just think of what is on those bathroom door handles. Purell makes small, sealed disinfectant wipe packets you can throw in your pocket to use once you touch places where germs are guaranteed to be.
PatrickGB
March 13, 2020 at 01:07 pm
I guess that this is one time in my life when being an introvert is actually beneficial;-)
FITZCORE1252
March 13, 2020 at 01:45 pm
For years and years I've been recording every Packers game. The thought was that one day we would regress to the mean and be down again, at that time perhaps I could re-live some of the good days. Well, I think I'm going to break out the 2010 season and watch it from beginning to end. I think that will help fill the sports void I'm currently experiencing.
GPG
ramart103
March 13, 2020 at 04:46 pm
""I'm glad we were so prepared ""...that's where you lost me.
Samson
March 13, 2020 at 05:41 pm
Nice article Maggie, as usual.
Apologies for all the profound ignorance that tooo many posters demonstrate here.
It's no wonder common sense NFL & Packer ideas seldom exist on CHTV anymore.
CHTV actually used to have articles & posters who represented the good... Now it's just the bad & ugly --- Kinda like politics in Washington ... since 2016.
fordguy
March 14, 2020 at 03:22 pm
And the tears haven't quit running down your poor little cheeks since then have they?
Since'61
March 13, 2020 at 06:15 pm
Maggie a good and timely article. This is definitely a time for concern but not for panic. The first and best thing that we can do as individuals is protect and take care of ourselves. We help stem the tide of this outbreak by taking care of ourselves. Next is do everything that we can to protect our family members. Good hygiene, common sense in terms of going out to stores, shopping etc..
Help those who need help. I've been trying to make arrangements for DAVs to go to military hospitals and/or VA centers especially if they live alone. I don't think any of them have been tested yet but hopefully they can be among the first to be tested.
Keep the big picture in mind and remember that we will get through this. It may take a while (maybe a year or longer) but once the vaccine comes out we will be able to move forward again. For now our best move is to take care of ourselves and each other.
Some posters here have mentioned the flu and other epidemics etc... The fact is that we understand the flu and we know how to deal with it and we have a vaccine to prevent it. As of today we do not have a vaccine to stop COVID-19, we don't know who has it and we don't have tests to find out who has it. This will change when the tests come out and we will eventually have a vaccine to help with prevention. Until then it's an unknown and we don't know how to stop it. But we will get there.
As for sports they will return when it is safe. Two days ago I received the 5 Blue Ray disc set of "Legacy 100 Seasons of the Green Bay Packers." So I have been watching that for the last few day s and will probably finish tonight. If you haven't ordered or received it yet I highly recommend it, it is very well done and very informative. And it will be worth at least one more watch for me. It will give you a sports(Packer) fix for a few days at least maybe more if you stretch it out. Can't speak for anyone else but there is plenty for me to do without sports.
Be aware and be prepared, take care and don't panic. This too will pass, the questions are how long? how many affected? how much Economic impact? and will our lives change when it is over? Thanks, Since '61
cinpackback
March 13, 2020 at 11:14 pm
Since’61 - I always appreciate your thoughtful comments. The voice of reason...
Since'61
March 14, 2020 at 08:48 am
cinpackback - thanks for taking the time to respond. Stay well. Since '61
Rossonero
March 14, 2020 at 09:18 am
Agreed Since 61. Well said. As long as there is no vaccine, life as we know it has changed until a vaccine is created....and widely available.
wildbill
March 13, 2020 at 06:50 pm
The biggest surprise will be when people realize how fun life can be without sports 24/7. Get out in the fresh air and take advantage of this time, but don’t forget to check on Packer developments of course!
lowcsp
March 13, 2020 at 08:10 pm
You cant do that the air might have the beer virus in it.
The_Justicar
March 13, 2020 at 09:54 pm
Good time to cancel some cable or streaming packages that include sports since there are none.
.
CoachDino
March 13, 2020 at 08:14 pm
Observations//
Prevention is the best medicine. So taking measures to slow the spread of something like this is a good thing.
Hysteria is running rampant so I hope we can learn to stick to the facts.
This is serious and needs to be taken that way. I could spout off some numbers as well to give more perspective but people usually pick sides so it doesn't matter. The country as in Government, Private sector and citizens have chosen or will have to due to closings, help contain the spread. What I'm not hearing is if this doesn't die in the warmth, has no treatment, and as of now no vaccine - Why would we ever reopen the closures that have been made? Does it really just need to run its course? I'm not going to change 95% of what I do but I would choose not to get on a plane, hang out in large gatherings and travel out of the country - kinda goes with the Plane. There's no doubt it's been over-hyped by those trying to find some sort of gain from it yet that doesn't mean actions should be taken. Good Luck to all and be safe during this latest outbreak. Prayers!!
atundraman
March 14, 2020 at 09:00 am
I always thought CTE was the biggest threat to the NFL.
Now I believe it's THIS. If the can't fix this. If this doesn't blow over...
Green Bay just became Wausau.
I realize those are big "IF'S" and I"m not rooting for that future, but we really don't know the answer to those "IF'S" just yet.
Go Pack Go!
Rossonero
March 14, 2020 at 09:25 am
What some of us may be forgetting is that our health care system could reach a tipping point where there are more sick people than health care workers available. The past 2-3 weeks we were lulled into a false sense of security as the virus continued to spread.
The lack of testing means many more cases will pop up as testing catches up. The reality is that life as know it has changed. While I'm not personally that worried about myself, I am worried about my parents and kids, and those who have underlying health conditions.
South Korea and China are the examples of two different but effective ways to contain it. So until we can contain it, wash your hands, don't touch your face, disinfect your phone and work from home if your job allows you to do so. Stay safe my fellow Packer fans!
Rossonero
March 14, 2020 at 10:54 am
I'll add that people are scared because 3 weeks ago, life was normal in Italy. Now the entire country is shut down. In some areas, they have to decide who is going to die and who they can save because their healthcare system is so overwhelmed.
Two weeks ago, we barely had any cases, now the sports world is shut down and we have a national emergency on our hands. Please take this seriously.
jannesbjornson
March 14, 2020 at 11:21 am
Sooner or later , it all gets real.
4thand1
March 14, 2020 at 05:35 pm
This is the worst news to couch potatos everywhere LMFAO. Pay attention to the people you care about.
Cermit
June 01, 2021 at 08:48 am
This is cool