The list of sports organizations postponing or canceling events as the result of the global coronavirus outbreak continues to grow and quite rapidly. The World Health Organization declared it a pandemic Wednesday and says more than three percent of cases globally are fatal.
Since the WHO’s announcement, the NBA, NHL and MLS are among the pro sports leagues suspending their seasons, while college sports are canceling tournaments.
With so many unanswered questions about the virus and how to efficiently test and treat it — in addition to the country being appallingly unprepared — postponing or canceling sporting events is the right thing to do.
Experts are saying large crowds of people, like you’d find watching professional and amateur sports, will not aid attempts to slow the spread — or flatten the curve — of COVID-19, the new coronavirus strain. One of the best ways to protect yourself and others against the virus is social distancing, if that’s an option.
In a change in track policies this week, NASCAR attempted to follow the lead of many leagues in terms of limiting fan engagement and proximity to its athletes. But it stopped short of canceling or postponing any races.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 12, 2020
NASCAR announced Thursday that this weekend’s races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and next weekend’s events at Homestead-Miami Speedway will continue as scheduled but without fans. Attendance has been “restricted to competitors, crews, officials and other necessary personnel to conduct the race.”
That decision makes absolutely no sense, given what we know about how aggressively COVID-19 spreads, the apparent scarcity of tests and the lack of a vaccine.
This isn’t about panicking or fear-mongering; it’s about making reasonable decisions in a crisis for the greater good. Sports are insignificant when people are ill and dying because of a pandemic.
It shouldn’t matter much that NASCAR competes outdoors. Abroad, outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people have been banned in an effort to contain the outbreak. And even without fans, crew and team members, officials and track workers combine to surpass that number.
As of Wednesday, Georgia had 31 confirmed and presumed cases of the disease, according to The Atlanta Constitution Journal, and, as of Thursday afternoon, the Florida Department of Health reported 27 people tested positive for COVID-19.
That’s not a relatively large number of people. But testing is seemingly limited, people could have it before showing symptoms and we’ve seen how fast it spreads. Racing isn’t worth the risk.
There are still many unknowns about the coronavirus, but it’s dangerous and irresponsible for NASCAR officials to not postpone the season at this point.
Why take a chance? Why risk the health of the those in NASCAR and track employees, along with anyone else they may come into contact with? It’s not just about the healthy, able-bodied people; this is about the most vulnerable in our society who might not be able to fight off the virus as easily or afford to take time off work.
Opting to race at Atlanta and Homestead is also disappointing because while NASCAR remained fairly on par with other major sports leagues with its initial decision to limit fan interaction and create buffers for drivers, it’s since fallen painfully short.
NASCAR is facing a variety of financial issues, and smaller teams with limited budgets and sponsors are struggling to keep up with the powerhouses, some of which are still having trouble holding on to their sponsors. So it’s somewhat understandable that between the team sponsors and broadcast partners, NASCAR would be reluctant to postpone or cancel anything.
Plus, when an NBA arena would host 41 games in a regular season, NASCAR visits tracks like Atlanta and Homestead only once a year. So without fans, the tracks are already going to suffer some type of financial hit — even with Atlanta choosing not to refund tickets.
Profit shouldn’t be the main concern amid a global health crisis. The health of the teams, officials, fans and the employees of the tracks — and, you know, the general public — should be the No. 1 priority.
But it’s clearly not because NASCAR would be joining so many other sports and postponing competition, not dragging its feet.
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