On the heels of the Big Ten moving to a conference only schedule, USA TODAY Sports writer Paul Myerberg writes that it is the right move. According to health experts, it may be a small move to reduce the risks of contracting COVID-19. By eliminating the non-conference games that usually involve heading across the country.
If a team is heading into a hotspot for the virus such as Texas or Florida, that risk grows. UNLV assistant professor of health believes this is a step in the direction of having football in 2020.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” said UNLV assistant professor of health Brian Labus. “There aren’t many options, and this is one way to hopefully reduce the risk, yes, and still allow football to go on in the fall.”
While eliminating those few games might prevent a school from heading into a hotspot, it does not account for spread of the coronavirus in locker rooms, campus, on the field or in the classroom. However, those are more controlled environments.
“As far as staying within your geographic region, the biggest idea behind that is that there are definitely areas of the country, even within a state, where you may not be in a hot spot,” said Jason McKnight, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M University College of Medicine. “COVID prevalence may not be as significant in one area or geographic area as it is from another area.”
It remains a tricky situation all the way around and I for one am glad it isn’t my call to make. The Big 12 isn’t expecting a decision to made until later in the month. By that time it may become more clear whether or not there will be football on the Forty Acres.