Coronavirus - a real season spoiling threat?

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

If you have the flu do you visit elderly relatives? It’s the same principle

You can carry Covid 19 for up to 14 days without showing any symptoms. It isn’t the same principle at all.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Living in a box
Living in a cardboard box



Luxury!

 

[1973Blade]

If the Cup Final is played behind closed doors and United get there, I will proudly stand up in my self isolated front room and sing Abide With Me at the top of my voice.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

This is all just pissing in the wind. As the Juventus/Internazionale & National Basketball Association news shows. Once players start catching CoronaVirus, games & leagues will have to be suspended anyway.

 

[Captain2]

I'd suggest that this is absolutely ridiculous on a huge scale. This is a strain of flu. It is a virus. A virus cannot be cured (just like the common cold). The government can play games behind closed doors, but they'd have to shut meadowhall, the rail network etc etc. The chance of it killing someone is less than 2% and expected to fall.

The conspiracy theorist in me would suggest this is scaremongering in an attempt to control people and manipulation on a grand scale. But that's just me.

Really

 

[Berkshire Blade]

If you have the flu do you visit elderly relatives? It’s the same principle

Where did you study how to deal with pandemics? Why are governments not following your advice. Is it because maybe scientists know better than you?

 

[blade too long]

To play games behind closed doors will take a lot away from games. But is better than not playing them . Unless they postpone the euros for 12 months and play the remaining games in may and june . but then theyd have to extend all contracts a month

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

Really

Yes, really. It has a 2% mortality rate. Of those 2%, 80% are already in hospital or have underlying health issues.

I for one am not worried whatsoever. Even though I have underlying health issues - epilepsy.

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

If you have the flu do you visit elderly relatives? It’s the same principle

You can carry Covid 19 for up to 14 days without showing any symptoms. It isn’t the same principle at all.

And if you have actual flu (as opposed to a cold) you’re unlikely to be up to visiting relatives in the first place.

Covid 19 is not a cold! Nor is it regular flu!

 

[blade too long]

Where did you study how to deal with pandemics? Why are governments not following your advice. Is it because maybe scientists know better than you?

to be fair no one has any idea whats best , there are no experts in how to deal with this virus
They just put on big white suits and look like they know


But why this is different to Sars and other epidemics they arent really saying , the death tolls only slightly up as its more dangerous to the really old
The levels of panic the press are stirring up and social media posting upsetting stories of italians losing their grans only hype it up
My mother died at 95 because of flu , I didnt feel the need to stop people attending football matches, and that virus still kills more people

 

[247Blade]

Your place seems a bit slow on the uptake, at the place I’m at it was all sorted over a week ago. We’re all working from home for the next two weeks (15 in my team).

Great for tipperty tapperty talking jobs ... anything which involves doing something physically obviously can't work from home.

 

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

Great for tipperty tapperty talking jobs ... anything which involves doing something physically obviously can't work from home.

Never said it wasn’t, but obviously the fewer people moving around on public transport getting to work the slower the virus will spread.

 

[Dutch Blade]

I'd suggest that this is absolutely ridiculous on a huge scale. This is a strain of flu. It is a virus. A virus cannot be cured (just like the common cold). The government can play games behind closed doors, but they'd have to shut meadowhall, the rail network etc etc. The chance of it killing someone is less than 2% and expected to fall.

The conspiracy theorist in me would suggest this is scaremongering in an attempt to control people and manipulation on a grand scale. But that's just me.

It is really selfish to think that way. Yeah, for people between 18-65 with no health issues it's just a flu, but for everyone older than that and /or with already existing health problems this could easily be deadly.

And the mortality rate is going up, since Healthcare is now still available for everyone with the Coronavirus, but at a certain point there are more patients than beds/care and the mortality rate is going up.

Just don't be selfish and try to avoid contact with elder people at all cost. Yeah, it sucks that it kills this football season. But at the end of the this is way more important.

 

[MullFonty]

Yes, really. It has a 2% mortality rate. Of those 2%, 80% are already in hospital or have underlying health issues.

I for one am not worried whatsoever. Even though I have underlying health issues - epilepsy.

Theres loads of varying stats going round mate , last i heard is that in italy 55% of diagnosed cases have required hospitalisation majority of whom were under 65 and a good number of those intensive care . It was read out on lbc radio the other night I thought it was bullshit but i looked it up and it 's true . It seems like a lot need hospital care but if they are lucky enough to get that hospital care then it seems the mortality rate is low

 

[Berkshire Blade]

to be fair no one has any idea whats best , there are no experts in how to deal with this virus

Which is why limiting the spread is prudent.

 

[247Blade]

Unless you work for a University, whose VCs have told the Government that it's "impossible" to close.

Didn't think anyone worked at university

 

[hidesbehindapseudonym]

It is really selfish to think that way. Yeah, for people between 18-65 with no health issues it's just a flu, but for everyone older than that and /or with already existing health problems this could easily be deadly.

And the mortality rate is going up, since Healthcare is now still available for everyone with the Coronavirus, but at a certain point there are more patients than beds/care and the mortality rate is going up.

Just don't be selfish and try to avoid contact with elder people at all cost. Yeah, it sucks that it kills this football season. But at the end of the this is way more important.

Couldn't agree more. Lives before football.

 

[blade too long]

Never said it wasn’t, but obviously the fewer people moving around on public transport getting to work the slower the virus will spread.

again , theres 69 million crammed on our bit of an island , avoiding them in any way shape or form is very very hard ,
again last night PSG played behind closed doors but around 20000 fans were crammed in local bars around the ground , So theres no point in playing behind closed doors
let people choose if they want to go
if your worried ,,, dont go

after this weekend theres only 8 games left so only 80 big prem crowds and the virus wont say Ill not affect them because they arent in a stadium ,
It could get you in a park watching your kids play on the swings

we cant live in fear of what might happen

 

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

The conspiracy theorist in me would suggest this is scaremongering in an attempt to control people and manipulation on a grand scale. But that's just me.

yep you’re right, it’s almost like governments around the world have looked at Britain intentionally trashing it’s economy with Brexit, and all decided, yeah fuck it, let’s trash ours too by hyping up a bit of flu.

 

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

again , theres 69 million crammed on our bit of an island , avoiding them in any way shape or form is very very hard ,
again last night PSG played behind closed doors but around 20000 fans were crammed in local bars around the ground , So theres no point in playing behind closed doors
let people choose if they want to go
if your worried ,,, dont go

after this weekend theres only 8 games left so only 80 big prem crowds and the virus wont say Ill not affect them because they arent in a stadium ,
It could get you in a park watching your kids play on the swings

we cant live in fear of what might happen

It’s about a taking measures to slow the spread of the virus, so that health care services are not overwhelmed.

Attendance at Meadowhall and in shopping centres across the country will all be well down as people isolate themselves.

 

[BettingBlade]

The Times reporting football is to be played behind closed doors (over in the states they just cancelled the rest of the NBA season). We may have already seen the last game of the season with supporters present?

Article:

Games to be played behind closed doors as part of coronavirus crisis plan

All football matches in England will be played behind closed doors under government plans to combat coronavirus that could be triggered as early as today.

A meeting of the government’s Cobra committee this morning is expected to move its response to the pandemic from the “contain” phase to the “delay” phase. That will result in a crisis plan being unveiled for football. The Times can reveal:

● The current season will not be postponed and instead matches in the Premier League and lower divisions will be moved behind closed doors;

● All Premier League season-ticket holders and ticket holders for individual games will be able to stream coverage of matches into their homes;

● No games will be shown in pubs so as to avoid congregation of people;

● Premier League games will not be shown live in the 3pm slot on Saturday afternoons;

● Broadcasters will be permitted to screen more than one Premier League game during both the lunchtime and tea-time television slots on Saturday, and the scheduled slots on Sundays and Mondays; and

● Season-ticket holders and ticket holders for individual games at Football League clubs will be allowed to watch matches on iFollow streams.

The plan may be implemented once the number of UK coronavirus cases passes 500. Last night it stood at 460.

The dramatic moves are seen as the only potential way to end the present season in light of the growing coronavirus crisis in England and the growing possibility of the country being moved to the delay phase.

The government has been in discussion with the Premier League, the Football League and the Football Association about what can be done. The uncertainty over how the virus will develop and how long it will last are seen as reasons why English football will not be temporarily postponed. The forthcoming Euros also present a problem to the Premier League as to when this season would actually finish and how it could impact upon future campaigns.

Sporting integrity has been cited as a major factor in moving against the possibility of cancelling the season outright, although smaller clubs who are more reliant on gate receipts are worried about the financial implications of matches without ticket sales.

However, there are huge penalty clauses in the Premier League broadcasting contracts if the season was terminated rather than played to a conclusion. These would run into hundreds of millions of pounds for the Premier League and would most likely have to be passed onto the clubs, or alternatively would be clawed back by removing things such as parachute payments.

That is what has led to the solution of moving games behind closed doors.

The Premier League has been the last major organisation in Europe to move towards ending spectator attendance at their games.

So far the government has followed medical advice that has insisted the congregation of large crowds at outdoor events is not dangerous. However, it is the close proximity of supporters travelling, especially on trains, that is now seen as the biggest threat.

Under the plans, pubs will be ordered not to show live coverage of matches and will be threatened with the loss of their licence if they fail to comply. It is thought this will be policed strongly because of the risk to health.

The present proposals are to broadcast every single Premier League game. Every season-ticket holder, or anyone who has a bought a ticket for a game would get a free stream. Clubs would then be able to sell streams for their games to fans as well. Even given the extraordinary nature of the times, there is still a desire not to set a precedent by showing games live at 3pm on a Saturday, traditionally a protected slot to incentivise fans going to watch their local teams in person.

The Premier League has been in negotiations with the Football League to assure them that none of their games would be shown live at 3pm on a Saturday. Broadcasters would face less pressure in the unique environment to put matches directly up against other games. The solution would involve existing slots with potentially three games shown at the same time.

The decision by the Premier League to move all of their games away from the 3pm Saturday slot would allow the Football League to stream all of their matches at that time using the iFollow technology.

Most Football League clubs already have that technology installed to allow them to stream their games. Some clubs have their own streams but the technology is in place for every club to stream their games live.

There is still concern, however, at Football League level, about the loss of matchday income which in some cases at that level constitutes two thirds of their annual income. Talks have taken place at government level about whether there is compensation available. The chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a £30 billion package to help the country get through the coronavirus in his budget yesterday but it is unknown if any of that will be put aside for struggling football clubs fearful of going bust.

Playing games behind closed doors is now seen as the least bad option. It means that existing fixture schedules can be completed across all of the four main leagues in England. Most English clubs have at least nine league matches to play, plus the remaining rounds of the FA Cup and Champions League.

As it stands only players, team officials, broadcasters and journalists would be allowed to attend games in England. A further complication however would be if infection was to spread between players. At that point it is thought that the Professional Footballers’ Association would say that the danger to their members would be too great and games would be cancelled.

At present the Bundesliga in Germany and Ligue One in France have already gone behind closed doors, and one Division Two footballer in Germany has tested positive for the virus.

The Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has voiced his concern about playing games without supporters in attendance. “Does football work without spectators?” he said. “If the people can’t come, there is no sense. We will follow what we have to do, but I wouldn’t like to do it without the people.

“The other issue you have to ask is: is it worse to play football without the spectators? We do our job for the people and if the people cannot come to watch us, there is no sense.

“I would not love to play matches in the Premier League or Champions League or the cups without the people, but we will follow the instructions of the government.”

Discussions have shown that all eventualities are fraught with difficulties, but it is seen as the only way ahead.

The amount of coverage the Premier League gets and apparently a stream is an adequate replacement for the price of a season ticket? Fuck off. We have one game remaining that’s not on tv so basically we’re getting no benefit at all as season ticket holders.

These people just don’t get it and this is complete proof of it.

I’m not bemoaning the actual action of the games behind closed doors per se, if that’s what’s required then fair enough but don’t take the piss out of supporters by suggesting that a stream is anything like the same as being at a game. The clubs, especially at Premier League level should be thinking about refunding the remaining games. Its not like they are desperate for the cash.

 

[blade too long]

Which is why limiting the spread is prudent.

again how though , when did we close grounds when other types of flu were killing people
did we shut grounds when Sars was at its peak

are we closing all big shopping centres , all small shops where its just as likely to be spread all schools all big office blocks, all small office blocks
Its really whipping up a fear factor that unwarranted as yet
no matter what steps we take some old and weak will die as they do with all viruses
isolating is nigh on impossible, we make contact feeding ourselves, seeing family and friends

just get on wth life your still more likely to die from crossing the road than from corona virus

 

[Linz]

just get on wth life your still more likely to die from crossing the road than from corona virus

Hmmm... interesting that you're talking about hyperbole and then end your post on that one.

Statistically, I can't see that being the case. How many people cross the road every day and how many of those crossings result in death?

 

[BettingBlade]

again how though , when did we close grounds when other types of flu were killing people
did we shut grounds when Sars was at its peak

are we closing all big shopping centres , all small shops where its just as likely to be spread all schools all big office blocks, all small office blocks
Its really whipping up a fear factor that unwarranted as yet
no matter what steps we take some old and weak will die as they do with all viruses
isolating is nigh on impossible, we make contact feeding ourselves, seeing family and friends

just get om wth life your still more likely to die fromcrossing the road than from corona virus

Funny you should say that....I saw a woman this morning with a mask on trying to cross the road while the lights were still at green in the middle of rush hour.

Clearly the minute chance of a virus striking her down needs preventing but a massive HGV? Nah bring it on. Fucking moron.

 

[blade too long]

It’s about a taking measures to slow the spread of the virus, so that health care services are not overwhelmed.

Attendance at Meadowhall and in shopping centres across the country will all be well down as people isolate themselves.

yes , those measures

what have the experts come up with

washing our hands, ive washed mine and more than once so Im fine now

its good to know we have these experts keeping us safe

nearly forgot cough into a tissue and bin it
well I never knew that one , saved my life they have god bless them
weeks of studies and planning really paid off with these life saving methods
500m quid well spent

 

[Berkshire Blade]

are we closing all big shopping centres , all small shops where its just as likely to be spread all schools all big office blocks, all small office blocks

Italy is the worst hit place in Europe and yes they are doing all these things. As will we when it gets worse.

 

[Linz]

yes , those measures

what have the experts come up with

washing our hands, ive washed mine and more than once so Im fine now

its good to know we have these experts keeping us safe

The fact that stocks of soap and hand sanitiser are running short suggests that lots of scruffy buggers did need telling by experts to wash their hands.

 

[MullFonty]

yes , those measures

what have the experts come up with

washing our hands, ive washed mine and more than once so Im fine now

its good to know we have these experts keeping us safe

nearly forgot cough into a tissue and bin it
well I never knew that one , saved my life they have god bless them
weeks of studies and planning really paid off with these life saving methods
500m quid well spent

You 're an ignorant plonker mate . China took proper measures and their cases are levelling off now . Do we want to repeat what happened in china where the health system got overwhelmed to start with or shall we go straight to the measures to slow this thing down so for people who do get it there 's a place available in hospital for them

 

[hidesbehindapseudonym]

You 're an ignorant plonker mate . China took proper measures and their cases are levelling off now . Do we want to repeat what happened in china where the health system got overwhelmed to start with or shall we go straight to the measures to slow this thing down so for people who do get it there 's a place available in hospital for them

I agree. There are more than your average twattish comments on here.

 

[Le Cynique]

The direct result of kids being told that they can do anything they dream of doing, and never being allowed to lose at anything because it’s not in line with equality, is the current crop of know-nowt armchair experts telling us that it’s no worse than a cold and that we should all be allowed to do whatever we think is best.