Ivy League cancels men’s and women’s basketball tournament amid Coronavirus concerns
March 11, 2020 | Sports,
By Justin Parmer
Editor’s note: The following column represents the views and expressions of a KCOU Sports columnist, and its presentation in relation to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak does not necessarily reflect the opinion of KCOU’s editorial staff.
IVY LEAGUE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW
Location(s) of tournament:
Africa
Americas
Eastern Mediterranean
Europe
South-East Asia
Western Pacific
World cases record (3/9 11:00 AM) 64,387 recovered-47,691 active cases-4,088 deaths
USA cases record (3/9 AM): 8 recovered-726 active cases-27 deaths
Status:
WHO RISK ASSESSMENT CHINA: Very High
WHO RISK ASSESSMENT REGIONAL LEVEL: Very High
WHO RISK ASSESSMENT GLOBAL LEVEL: Very High
Season recap:
While the disease got late into the sports world COVID-19 has been a worldwide nuisance. The virus began in Wuhan China, after it was reported dozens of people were being treated for pneumonia from an unknown source. However, many of the sickened visited a live animal market in Wuhan. The young virus made its self-known throughout the landscape with its invasion of Wuhan, Henan, Hunan and Guangdong. From there, the disease has turned into an international sensation with thousands of people struck with the rapid speed of COVID-19. The disease was so big it shut down China in February and Italy in March. While many people have become jaded of the disease it it’s home country, the impact of COVID-19 is felt far and wide across the basketball landscape with it’s mighty impact in China, Italy Iran and Korea. States like Ohio, Illinois, New York and California are making advance preparations for their cities as COVID-19 sweeps through the nation.
X-factor: COVID-19
COVID-19 can spread from person to person. This usually happens through respiratory droplets when someone with the virus coughs or sneezes, and you breathe it in. However, the virus can only be effective within a six-foot proximity, so it plays poorly in a spread defense. However, it might be possible to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your own mouth, nose, or possibly your eyes which makes it’s abilities even deadlier.
Tournament Impact
Before the tournament could even begin, Ivy Leagueschools were scared straight of having to go up against the force of COVID-19. Harvard, Princeton and Columbia have all backed down from the challenge deciding instead to go to virtual classes after this week and advising students to stay home after Spring Break. In the end, it was better to not have the tournament forfeiting the Ivy League Tournament title to COVID-19 and Yale.
Recap:
At the end of the day, the Coronavirus is a serious threat to thousands of people who are elderly, have pre-existing conditions and is extremely dangerous for infants and babies. Just one person in attendance could affect hundreds if not thousands of people with a disease that kills 4% of its victims. Coronavirus is no joke and it is up to all of us to keep the damage of this virus to a minimum.
Although this decision by the IVY league can be frustrating to college basketball fans, we must understand the health risks of thousands of spectators in close proximity to one another. Is now the responsibility of the Ivy League to not to just keep theirplayers safe but to provide safety to or the fans in attendance of as well. In the particular case of collegian events schools have the highest responsibility in keeping their students and faculty safe when they go out to represent their school colors both on and off campus
If Ivy League officials deem the tournament not safe for the players athletes coaches and spectators to play in then the tournament should be cancelled. it was reasonable to give the Ivy League title to Yale under these pressing circumstances because they were the best team in the Ivy League.
You do feel sorry for the Harvard seniors Chris Lewis, Bryce Aiken, Justin Bassey, Christian Juzang, Seth Towns, Robert Baker, Henry Welsh; the Princeton seniors Jose Morales, Will Gladson, Richmond Aririguzoh and Penn’s Ryan Betley, Ray Jerome, Devon Goodman, Kuba Mijakowski and AJ Brodeur. All of these players will never get the chance to see the court ever again. The Ivy League tournament, win or lose was their moment to be in the spotlight one final time.
But at the end of the day as we all know far too well, some things are bigger than basketball. However this may affect the rest of the March madness season it is important for us to prioritize the safety and well-being of the coaches, players, journalists and fans now more than ever
And that includes the health of you and everyone around you. All of us at KCOU 88.1 FM ask you to take the necessary precautions to help contain COVID-19.
To help prevent you and those you come into contact with, please take the necessary steps to prevent the diseases further spreading
And if you think you have COVID-19, please Call your doctor and develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing
For more information please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Edited by Garrett Jones | sports@kcou.fm