Most liked posts in thread: Coronavirus potential to ‘shut down’ football

That would be one massive league.

 

Lots of understandably worry about Coronavirus - but also lots of unnecessary worry

My career, for the last 30 years has been in bacteria control in water, i.e. risk management and so as a scientist I know a little - but note all below is my 'educated' opinion (don't laugh it's usually better than my footie predictions )

1. Unlikely that we will suffer the grief Italy has, which of course is now spreading to their neighbouring countries
2. To give some perspective France and Germany, which have similar populations (i.e. within 20%) currently have more than 1500 cases each
3. Our cases are not increasing at a greatly increasing rate each day, i.e. they are not accelerating. France and Germany's are now also increasing at just a steady, if anything, decreasing rate

Likelihood is that the cases will increase but at this steady rate for months, i.e. the growth if flatlined to a degree - making it more manageable. It's virtually impossible to prevent the spread - we will all now be reliant on the spread been gradual, so it can be better contained

The thing that's annoying me about the neurotic media circus (witness that Rory Stewart idiot yesterday - who thinks because he's campaigning to be the London mayor - he can simply make alarming statements) is that this narrative that because Italy gained 10000 cases in a month, it's bound to happen over here.

It isn't. Of course it might, but it's unlikely. Final number of cases could be the same - but spread over month and even years

Hence, the current 'keep calm' government advice is a good one. Shutting grounds / banning people from meeting at work could have a disastrous effect on our well being - with little benefit

Of course things will change, day to day and certain matches might be affected, simply because someone at that club or place had had an outbreak

 

I wouldnt even play them behind closed doors. Just simulate the results. We're ace on FM20.

 

Can we start releasing players if it is?!

 

I hear you can get different sized rear plugs

 

Give me Corona virus any day.

 

I don't wish to make light of the virus but how funny would it be if Leeds were top of the championship only for games to be voided and no promotions or delegations......

 

Just declare the season null & void
Start again next season

 

The EFL are good at washing their hands.

Look at how they washed themselves of any blame to do with Bury and Bolton.

 

That's ok, you've just managed 18 months without any...

 

Like China before it Italy had the misfortune to be hit before more about the virus was known, i.e. if we had a similar outbreak in a resort in say the Lakes, we'd now act faster, simply because we know more

We've had around two weeks of around a similar increase per day, whilst it's of course possible that we could suddenly get the 1000 per day (that they had at one time) it's unlikely. The current cases are spread around the country, if it was in one big cluster - then that would be more worrying

Having visited Italy more than once, I'm also of the opinion that our naturally more cautious way of interacting with each other, also counts, as does our tendency to be always 'worried well'. An Italian friend of my missus stated that it was only at the end of last week, that if finally dawned on the general public that they had to do things differently. As soon as we were told, up go the handwash gel sales etc - the difference in our cultures (I like the more emotional Italian one by the way) can again make a big difference, as contact times can be reduced

But remember, I'm not saying we won't get 10000 cases. We could and probably will - I think they'll be spread out. Even if it's as short as 3 months (which would be more than 100 per day on average - we've had around over 60 just once and that was three days ago) it is still very manageable and whilst we will all be inconvenienced in some ways - the major disruption that Italy currently have could be avoided

In addition, measures to limit the spread are getting discussed all the time - but thankfully they are been thought through. For instance, the sensible suggestion, which of course was political dynamite, to ban anyone over 70 from attending events, was quickly kicked into the long grass because it was it was realised that all the deaths in the UK are associated with those with serious health problems, as opposed to just age. So I'm confident, because in my experience we are very good at this in this country, that all proper precautions are been considered and will be enacted if needed

Note, I am not complacent. As a (both very mildly) type 2 diabetic and asmastic, nearly 58 year old, I'm keeping an eye on the situation and risk assessing the situation, daily - but calmly.

 

Sorry to read about your Grandaughter. It always breaks my heart to hear of child illnesses and conditions.

I think people are forgetting that its not just the elderly that have health issues that are at risk of this virus

 

But for the number of cases so far, the advice so far has been excellent

What else should they be doing? And please don't compare us to Europe mainland, where there are an average of around 5 times more cases

Now, that the acceleration might be increasing, albeit still slightly - new measures will be put in place. Calm sensible, rational day by day appraisal of the situation and reacting accordingly

Expect either matches behind close doors or maybe no away fans - but even at this stage it's been put into place, as it's something that can be done to limit the spread that has the least impact

The row about whether the Atletico Madrid fans should have been allowed over, illustrates that all opinions are valid.

 

Me and you can mitigate against it Tony, but if folk want to carry on as normal, then there’s not a lot me and you can do about it. That’s when the Government needs to step in.

That Liverpool game last night should have been behind closed doors, and I hate to say it, so should the Cheltenham festival. Small sacrifices in the grand scheme of things.

 

Message to Leeds United from the EFL.

 

We even have a decent pitch.