pats BladesofSteel on back..
. Hockey is indeed a contact sport. In a game devoid of any spectators... Coach or Player A picks up virus from bench, say he drops his glove or grease pen... (say said virus is from last nights adult league - say adult beer drinker sneezed on the bench after a shift, he feels sick but came non the less because its his only chance to get out and get some exercise. - virus sits on bench in a nice cold damp spot - very happy for days and waiting for someone to touch it). Coach or Player A transfers to other people (maybe on other team) during play - say Player B.
Player A or coach goes home, infects a high risk person in family - say at a small get together < 50 people. That high risk person(s) health is now in jeopardy - even though everyone in that hockey game followed the guidelines - EXCEPT social distancing requirement by the teams themselves. The High Risk person goes to ER - and has to wait because of the many other similar events unfolding across the community. We begin to exceed our ability to treat and handle cases. This is happening because people believe that their event is more important than what the CDC and WHO and all governments and municipalities are recommending. LA proper has put in place a ban of all gatherings > 50 people for public government events. Everyone needs to do their part to help slow down the spread so it will be manageable,
Player B lives 90 miles away. does the same - a similar story unfolds. When does it end? We must stop looking for other people to solve this. Because it will take everyone's action and short term sacrifice on events like these to help slow this down.
Both people have now inadvertently impacted others with unintended consequence. High Risk people have a mortality rate > 10% btw.
Most people would never willingly fly in a plane that has a 1/10 chance of going down. Non the less, we would be potentially forcing the elderly and immune compromised peopled into the very scenario.
There are documented reasons why sports are being cancelled, its not just the spectators and workers at risk. It is also player interaction. Its physically impossible to keep separation during a sporting event.
Granted, the odds of the above happening are low - but NOT that low. Ask yourself how an isolated nursing home in Seattle has now over 20 deaths? I am sure no one there left the building.
I do not know of anyone who wishes to land on the wrong side of that scenario - for the sake of a recreational sport. I believe little league has cancelled all practices for a month because of this. There is no way to play a sport and maintain a distance of 6 feet, etc.
I applaud Blades for ringing the bell. Well done.