How many decision-makers are involved with the Republican Party? And did Trump call his usual game ball that he would withhold funds, such as grants and loans if the season didn't happen? That is Trump's favorite leverage point, if so and so doesn't do thus and such they will lose their federal money.
Parents and players are not happy. What are they starting a season for when their own players don't want to play? Makes no sense. It is well known that the virus will damage the heart and other areas of the body with micro-clots. An athlete is their mind, body, and strength. This decision is irresponsible.
By Emily Giambalvo
...President Trump has advocated (click here) that the Big Ten, which spans multiple states critical to his reelection campaign, return to play as soon as possible. He spoke with Warren earlier this month, with both Trump and the Big Ten describing the call as a “productive conversation.” The conference then reiterated in a statement that the presidents and chancellors “are exhausting every resource to help student-athletes get back to playing the sports they love, at the appropriate time, in the safest and healthiest way possible.”...
...In the Big Ten, the counties of six schools — Penn State, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan State and Nebraska — are averaging more than 30 new cases per 100,000 people per day, according to Washington Post data....
...Schneider is one of many cardiovascular experts concerned about the nascent, growing body of evidence about how covid-19 affects the heart. The studies have not focused on athletes, but their findings have implications for the sports world. Research raises the possibility that athletes who recover from covid-19 may face dire or lasting heart complications, and medical experts have urged cardiac screening for athletes returning to play after contracting the virus. Two high-level athletes — including the projected Opening Day starter for the Boston Red Sox — have reported heart issues in the wake of recovery from covid-19....
The NFL had to come to terms with brain concussion, it is time athletic decision-makers come to terms with the chronic COVID-19 disease that lingers past the illness.
The colleges are going to have questionable reputations after this season, because, it is almost as though the current players are disposable for those that won't be facing this disease in the future. The colleges cannot guarantee safety to their players and they are proceeding anyway. It is no different than the foolhardiness of opening campuses up in the first place. What are they thinking? Money is not a reason to place danger into student life.
When students, be they athletes are not, are exposed to the virus, it changes the trajectory of their education and lives. COVID-19 is difficult to recover from and requires months of time to be able to return to a somewhat normal life and that does not at all include those with disabilities. When is this country going to stop listening to the money handler in the Oval Office and put health and well being first?
Students have a lot on the line as opposed to decision-makers. When one student, only one, falls ill the decision-makers reputation has to be as scarred as the life their decision effected.
