2 min read • August 31, 2020
Posted in
It was not long ago that many were predicting doom and gloom for the NFL. They were wrong. So far. Good news, with 16 straight days with zero positive tests for The Shield and of the over 2500 current players only one remains on a COVID list. A bubble was never really an option for the NFL. The NBA and NHL have successfully executed bubbles but their bubbles are for six weeks or less. With a full 2020 season + camp, the NFL would have to quarantine players for over six months. Not feasible. The next challenge that the league will face is travel with games are around the corner. The NFL and its players/coaches/staff will have to remain diligent. The fact remains the risk of COVID is greater when in the facility or in the community than on game day. I have reviewed the NFL travel protocols and they seem reasonable. NFL teams already take private charters and are segregated from the public on buses and at the hotels. The main changes are to spread out with more space for players. Many still unnecessarily fear the contact of football itself on game day. True the transmission of COVID during tackling/blocking has not been studied but if one understands the concept of viral load it is easy to see short term contact is not typically how the disease is transmitted. The CDC says being within six feet for over 15-minutes puts someone at potential risk. The vast majority of opponents would not fall into this time category over a three-plus hour game. Also, game day tests mitigate much of the on-field risk. A playoff bubble may be considered, but kudos to the NFL so far. It has executed a good plan and will need to continue. The start of the season on time seems on track as I have always thought.
Written by
