When Life Matters

If you know me, it is difficult for me to admit that there is anything more important than football. But sometimes, there is. With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19 in Italy, the phrase “better safe than sorry” has never been more true. So as several Serie A matches were cancelled this past weekend and more are scheduled to be played behind closed doors this coming weekend, it is important that we keep our priorities straight. People are hospitalized and dying. While we want to watch good football with full stadiums of passionate fans, we must remember that we would also like all of those fans to still be healthy and alive for the next match. As important as football is, it is also important to remember when life matters.

Empty stadiums could save lives

The COVID-19 is a serious respiratory virus that spreads easily through coughing or contact with hands which have touched eyes, nose, or mouth. Typical good hand-washing and sanitizing of surfaces are the easiest ways of preventing it from spreading. Wearing masks prevents your coughs or sneezes from potentially infecting others, and also from inhaling contaminated air from others’ coughs or sneezes.

As of this writing, there are nearly 300 documented cases of it in Italy, and 11 deaths so far. Those numbers are constantly climbing, though, as leaders are doing everything to try to contain the virus by canceling public events where large quantities of people could be exposed by even one person.

Life is worth protecting

While most of the people who have died from the virus are older or had pre-existing health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes that made them more susceptible, in China, even a few healthy young doctors have died after exposure. While at least 80 percent of the people who contract the virus are able to get better after normal treatment, the rest require hospitalization, and about two percent so far have succumbed to the virus and passed away.

This makes football matches seem trivial, as within crowds of 30,000 and above, some people may have runny noses, fever, or other cold or flu-like symptoms and actually have COVID-19, unknowingly spreading it to others. The decision to postpone matches or play them behind closed doors is a difficult one financially and also from a mentality issue for both players and fans. But sometimes, you just have to take a step back and do the right thing. And also be grateful that there are those who can find that perspective when life matters.

This post inspired by the music of The Fray “How to Save a Life”

Our next match is

Serie A Week 26

Milan vs. Genoa

Sunday, March 1 • 12:30 CET (6:30am EST)

This match will be played behind closed doors. Thoughts and prayers are with those who are battling the COVID-19 in Italy and throughout the world.