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.
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| 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.
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| 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.