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5 Sports-Related COVID-19 Facts to Remember Today
In the midst of a global pandemic, there are many opinions out there, but here are 5 facts to keep in mind when it comes to the sports world
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Let’s discuss COVID-19 for a minute. Why COVID? Because the pandemic isn’t over yet. The United States is likely to experience future waves that may force stadiums and other sports venues to shut down temporarily for players and spectators’ safety. Therefore, in the meantime, players and managers can learn the lessons from previous events and medical experiments to build up their defenses and prepare for a war that we now know is coming.
NHL Bubble: 0 positive COVID tests.
— RJ Junior (@firemedic107) October 9, 2020
NBA Bubble: 2 positive COVID tests.
WNBA Bubble: 0 positive COVID tests.
NWSL Bubble: 0 positive COVID tests.
No Bubble:
NFL: 60.. in July.
MLB: 86 positive COVID tests.#Titans: 18 positive in six days.#TheBubbleWorks
While the NFL has struggled to manage the COVID-19 breakouts with players testing positive for the Tennessee Titans as of September 29th. The NFL has had to postpone future games to contain the virus. On the other hand, the NBA rapidly established a bubble experiment with players, that proved to be extremely successful. 0 COVID cases have been recorded since the introduction of the bubble environment. Players have remained safe, while the NBA continued on with its postseason and crowning of a champion inside the 2020 NBA Bubble.
The bottom line: The NFL and other sports leagues could learn a thing or two from the NBA’s bubble strategy.
What will winter 20/21 bring for the snow sports industry? How will the resorts, mountain towns, retailers, and gear-makers fare in this winter of COVID? @SNEWSteam and Marc Peruzzi go deep.https://t.co/iDOyRIkf1r#snowsports #unitedbywinter
— SIA (@siasnowsports) October 9, 2020
How often do players change their gear? Hygiene is rarely an issue when it comes to professional games. Yet, with the risk of COVID germs spreading, players will need further sports kit gear to make sure they can sanitize their clothes after each game. Regardless of whether a game is part of a friendly training session or a competitive environment, every item of clothing needs to be washed at the highest safe temperature when physical interactions occur.
NBA players will wear a 'smart ring' at Disney.
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) June 18, 2020
The ring is capable of predicting COVID-19 symptoms up to 3 days in advance (90% accuracy)
Details: https://t.co/55k6x5htmg pic.twitter.com/YZBO1fsg03
Technology has always been part of sports performance. Fitness trackers are crucial to help athletes improve their endurance, strength, and stamina. Some cam recorders also allow athletes to compare their moves to other players, ensuring they can spot improvement areas.
However, a health tracker that can be worn at all times, such as the Oura ring, is a newcomer to the sports industry. The Oura ring is, in theory, designed to monitor players’ data, including respiratory and heart rates. The NBA has purchased 2,000 custom-fitted rings for the players to flag early symptoms. With 90% accuracy, the ring could detect COVID symptoms up to 3 days ahead of time than standard tests.
Thermal cameras and COVID-19 – The German DPAs have spoken - Data Protection Report https://t.co/0YgKqaCRTd https://t.co/dPrgYd8CJU
— Policy Pros - Business Policy Writers (@PolicyWriters) October 11, 2020
Thermal CCTV cameras seem like the perfect answer to monitor temperatures in a crowd. However, temperatures inside a stadium can vary significantly for many different reasons not related to COVID-19. Physical activities can dramatically elevate your body temperature, making measurements incorrect when taking on the field. Additionally, excitement and energy among the crowd can have a similar effect on spectators. Someone who seems to appear to have a fever on camera could just be enjoying the energy in the public. Anyone who is proposing thermal cameras as the solution to filling stadiums again is sadly mistaken.
While the @NBA is out of session, the league and some top players are continuing to spread humanity by "donating $100,000 to the National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project." Thank you for coming together to #recognizethegood. #NBATogetherCampaignhttps://t.co/x8htfPibd9
— Workhuman (@Workhuman) April 4, 2020
Many athletes that have been infected by COVID and beaten the virus have donated their blood plasma. Four NBA players have reportedly taken part in the convalescent plasma experiment that consists of injecting their blood plasma to patients. The results have been effective in most cases. However, doctors agree that there is still a lot to learn about COVID. Nevertheless, the NBA has made a point of supporting medical efforts as part of their NBA Together campaign.
The COVID fight isn’t over. However, we can hope that players and managers will follow the example set by the NBA for safety and health solidarity in the future. In the meantime, let’s all enjoy our favorite games while they last and avoid unnecessary risks. Against COVID, we are all united!
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