Sports Return Might Not Be In Immediate Future According to Dr. Fauci

michael-phelps

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci told The New York Times on Wednesday he believes sports leagues in the United States may have to cancel their seasons in 2020 and “bite the bullet.”

“Safety, for the players and for the fans, trumps everything,” Fauci told The Times. “If you can’t guarantee safety, then unfortunately you’re going to have to bite the bullet and say, ‘We may have to go without this sport for this season.'” Fauci took the stance this month that sports could return this summer if fans were honoring social distancing regulations. Players and officials would have to take special requirements regarding personal hygiene.

“I would love to be able to have all sports back,” he said. “But as a health official and a physician and a scientist, I have to say, right now, when you look at the country, we’re just not ready for that yet.”

The National Basketball Association, which unprecedentedly postponed its regular season on March 11 because one of its players tested positive for coronavirus, is planning on opening its practice facilities for individual workouts on May 8, one week from Friday, with heavy restrictions regarding social distancing and hygiene.

In swimming circles, USA Swimming is hoping to host its first regional level meet in mid to late August with its first national level meet in November if it is deemed safe. If Fauci is saying pro sports should not come back, then some obvious adjustments would need to be made and swimmers will need to be cautious come the fall when it may or may not be deemed safe to hold organized practices again.

As eager as some organizations may be to return to action, their decisions will likely hinge on what their fellow leagues and governing bodies are doing. No organization wants to move too soon and find itself sidelined for an additional period of time.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

555 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Tammy Lamaster
4 years ago

This will kill colleges. No football no money bigger cuts from NCAA

Tina Evans
4 years ago

Damaging physical and mental health of swimmers for a virus that 99 percent of people recover from. No one up through age 29 has died in our state from this. Let the kids have their sports back!

Nic Dietrich
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Tina Evans meanwhile their parents and coaches get sick because they are more vulnerable and at risk. It’s not about the kids. It’s about what we have to do as a society to stop the transmission of the disease. It’s about not overwhelming our healthcare system so that you can be there to see your kid swim.

Anonymous
Anonymous
4 years ago
Reply to  Nic Dietrich

Nope you are incorrect. You will permanently damage kids mental health

Tina Evans
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Nic Dietrich new study out that kids are not carriers of this. Blame the kids if you want but I am going watch the info coming out and hope that others do the same. Up to them. And each coach or adult needs to determine their own risk level. I am not the ultimate decision maker anyway, just expressing my opinion. You are entitled to yours and I am entitled to mine. If you believe the kids should suffer because of a virus that most people recover from go right ahead.

gale
gale
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Tina Evans – you are wrong. Kids have been infected and kids can be asymptomatic carriers.
Ask your physician.

gale
gale
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Tina Evans – you are wrong. Kids have been infected and kids can be asymptomatic carriers.
Ask your physician.

Nic Dietrich
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Which study is that? I’d love to read it.

Tina Evans
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Nic Dietrich should come up in a search engine. Saw it very recently. I realize the researchers are trying to figure this out

Nic Dietrich
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Tina Evans where did you read this? Facebook? Have you tried to google it? Because I just did. Everything pretty much says the exact opposite. If you happen to find the article, please let me know where I can read it and become better informed.

Leslie Cichocki
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Tina Evans I agree. The vulnerable are those in 60,s 70’s and long term care facilities. I’m 31 and swim believe I will be ok if trained with 10 or less swimmers.

Tina Evans
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Leslie Cichocki absolutely. I want this for my daughter who swims but I swam at a more rural y and there never more than 10 people in the pool area or in the locker room when I went. I am at more risk not swimming than swimming due to my general health level. This lockdown has had entirely the opposite effect on me.

Tina Evans
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Nic Dietrich study of a 9 year old boy in France and he had well over 100 contacts. In The Guardian. There may be other studies also

Leslie Cichocki
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Tina Evans I miss swimming and if I don’t get training by end of this summer then I am not going to be in top form for Paralympic trials next June.

Tina Evans
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Leslie Cichocki this is terrible for you. Have you contacted state reps about your situation?

Nic Dietrich
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

That’s one kid. Was it a controlled research study that was peer reviewed that had enough subjects to yield statistically significant results? Your going to make a generalization about all children based on one 9 year old kid in France? Good lord. ?

Leslie Cichocki
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Tina Evans no don’t have their contact information in Illinois.

Tina Evans
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Nic Dietrich actually the zero fatality numbers also mean something. And the very low percentage of kids needing hospitalization also. Like I said, believe what you want to.

Tony Trefoil
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Nic Dietrich preach?????

Tina Evans
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Leslie Cichocki you could google based on what county you live in

Leslie Cichocki
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Tina Evans thank you

Nic Dietrich
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Tina Evans I’ll believe science. Thanks. Here you go. It’s not zero fatality either.

https://6abc.com/health/5-year-old-daughter-of-first-responders-dies-from-covid-19/6119284/

Tina Evans
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Nic Dietrich and I said in my state. I do not live in Michigan.

Nic Dietrich
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

How does that make a difference? Children aren’t human where you live?

Leslie Cichocki
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

I am hopeful that USA Swimming will plan for the elite as I seen a poll somewhere if swimmers should be training or shouldn’t be training during the pandemic. I saw 68% saying elite swimmers should be staying in shape. I feel hopeful they pass something.

Tina Evans
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Leslie Cichocki would you have swam at the trials this year? I so hope it works out for you.

AGW
AGW
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

You will permanently damage kids mental health.

Leslie Cichocki
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Tina Evans It got postponed to next year. Yes I would of if there wasn’t a pandemic.

Maria Angelica Antequera

Thank you Dr. Fauci! It is a well worthy sacrifice ??

Brian Muhs
4 years ago

Maria Angelica Antequera are you serious. You stay home and lock your door and cower under your bed then. These kids need to be back in the pool not only for physical health but mental as well.

Maria Angelica Antequera

Brian Muhs not this season but hopefully next ??

Kerri Jackson Swiniuch

At whose expense, the kids!

Kerri Jackson Swiniuch

Brian Muhs I 100% agree

Maria Angelica Antequera

Kerri Jackson Swiniuch is a Pandemic! #StayHome, #SafeLives

Kerri Jackson Swiniuch

With a 98% survival rate. H1N1 did alot more damage and death.

Brian Muhs
4 years ago

Maria Angelica Antequera nope. I’m out and about building up my immune system like every healthy American should be doing. Stay home too long and you will diminish your immune system and surely become ill in the coming months.

Jennifer Chu
4 years ago

Keep swimmers safe. A swimming pool is one of the worst places for catching infections. Definitely no more fatalities are needed in this dire over lax pandemic. It’s a very serious disease with long term lung recovery.

Maria Angelica Antequera

Jennifer Chu Agree #Stayhome,#Safelives

Maria Angelica Antequera

If our Olympic swimmers can swallow down the loss of the Olympic trials and Olympics this year and readjust, then our local swimmers can, too! #StayHome, #Safelives

Lynette Besonday-Washburn

Maria Angelica Antequera not!

Greg Potempa
4 years ago

Lynette Besonday-Washburn, just a remedial understanding of how the human immune system works would be appropriate for you.

余梓鍵
4 years ago

The US has the largest number of deaths and cases. Dont make it higher than it is!!!

Heather Kyles Watson
4 years ago

I am sick to death of these decisions without actually knowing how many of our population has had this virus.

Harris Taylor
4 years ago

Its bad. This virus is new. Coronavirus is deadlier than flu. 60000 have died. The worst flu season was 61000. Coronavirus has been here for shorter. It’s worse than flu. Deadlier. Maybe it’s time to realise life is more important than just opening businesses. This isn’t a game. People have died!

Dick Beaver
4 years ago

Fauci and Bill Gates are dangerous to our health. Why is anyone connected to USA, NCAA, etc., swimming paying any attention to this guy? He has no authority over us.

Harris Taylor
4 years ago
Reply to  Dick Beaver

Its bad. PEOPLE ARE DYING!!!!!!!!! Coronavirus is deadlier than flu. 60000 have died. The worst flu season was 61000. Coronavirus has been here for shorter. It’s worse than flu. Deadlier. Maybe it’s time to realise life is more important than just opening businesses. This isn’t a game. People have died!

Michael P. Davenport
4 years ago

Fauci is a fraud! Do your research! He is a criminal!

Amy Monard Wasson
4 years ago

Michael P. Davenport agree!

Leslie Cichocki
4 years ago

Michael P. Davenport I agree. Let the athletes make their own decision. No one is forcing your child to compete. Facui shouldn’t make a decision for everyone because no one asked him for his opinion on sports and athletes.

Ron Buda
4 years ago

Michael P. Davenport Why? I do not have that info.

Jason Barnard
4 years ago

Ron Buda because you’re not doing your HW.

Ron Buda
4 years ago

Jason Barnard Well, but I do. Not arguing. Is there a reputable source that he is a criminal or is that just a high emotion word.

Michael P. Davenport
4 years ago

Ron, I have a friend who sent me a youtube documentary on the book titled Plagued with Corruption. This female scientist had worked with Fauci and he did some criminal tests to create these viruses from animals and injected them into humans which had something to do with the spread of HIV that killed millions! I mean I just heard this today and have ordered the book. This is crazy stuff! It all sounded reputable and you have to do your research on the truth. There are reports that Fauci has donated money to the Wuhan Lab etc. So much crazy shit going on with this. Is this political? Maybe too. But it may be more of big pharma controlling our freedom or just about corporate greed. I mean the truth may never come out. The best thing to do is stay healthy. Stay away from any pharmaceuticals and don’t let anyone force you to get a vaccination. I can just see millions dying bc of something they accidentally put in the vaccination. Scary shit indeed!

Peter Scott
4 years ago

Michael P. Davenport better give that information to the Trump administration quickly. Obviously they haven’t done their research if you are correct. Many lives lost nedlessly because Trump employed a criminal……..then the employer is at fault. Sadly they didn’t have the same sources as you to call on….?stay safe?

Trisa Nickerson
4 years ago

Ron Buda this happened. You won’t see this reported by mainstream media because they wanna protect their buddy. He refuses to respond to this. He’s got a lot to hide!

https://www.newsweek.com/dr-fauci-backed-controversial-wuhan-lab-millions-us-dollars-risky-coronavirus-research-1500741

Colleen Graff
4 years ago

Who has given him power to decide any of this? Nobody. He is not even an elected official. Many of his own peers disagree with him.

Julianne Roth Lawson
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Colleen Graff #firefauci

Dori Hutchinson
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Colleen Graff maybe because he is a doctor? Who has medical knowledge and facts? Who knows what it looks like when someone-even young fit swimmers-is dying from this virus? I don’t know but choose who you trust. Trump or the doctors.

spencer pinter
spencer pinter
4 years ago

Someone had to go and insert politics into this discussion. Sad…

Joana
Joana
4 years ago

There is no guarantee that a vaccine will be 100 % effective, viruses mutate (look at the flu season every year). Or that a new virus will not emerge again (like they usually do) next year or few years from now. So, every time dr.Fauci will close schools, sports, and hiking trails. Thank God that liquor, cigarettes and vaping stores are open so our youth can carry on. Meantime, smart countries with no dr.fauci can go back to what they were doing, protecting their weak and giving regular people a choice. Let’s sacrifice our youth potential for the illusion of safety.

Sam Perry
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Dori Hutchinson ridiculous.

Dori Hutchinson
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Sam Perry of course. Doctors have no knowledge of the virus. Lost anyone yet v go work in a hospital and get back to me.

Sam Perry
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Dori Hutchinson many doctors disagree with you. They say herd mentality is real. So believe who you want.

Dori Hutchinson
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Sam Perry really? Of course herd immunity (not mentality) is real but the data says we are a long way off. So go on out there and mingle.

Dori Hutchinson
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

P

Rich Davis
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Sam Perry which many doctors? I haven’t heard one that says now is the time to reopen anything in America.

Sam Perry
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Dori Hutchinson they have knowledge of viruses. A virus is a virus. You are entitled to your opinion and I’m entitled to mine based on doctors I know and learn from. But don’t put your beliefs on me.

Sam Perry
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Rich Davis that’s not what I said. But yes there are doctors that say open spaces (not America).

Dori Hutchinson
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Sam Perry not doing that. Just disagreeing. And would love to see which doctors you know say or write that this virus is like other viruses. Back it up with the facts.

余梓鍵
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Explain why the US has the highest deaths and cases.

Dori Hutchinson
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Sam Perry Fox news???

Sam Perry
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Dori Hutchinson way to go. Nice rebuttal.

Dori Hutchinson
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Sam Perry enough said.

Dori Hutchinson
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Sam Perry thank you!

Sam Perry
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Dori Hutchinson I still have no idea why you even referenced Fox News. I guess that’s just the intellectual snob thing to do. Most know it alls tend to do that. Oh well, to each their own.

Dori Hutchinson
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Sam Perry because they were featured on Fox News. Quite frequently. And my opinion of Fox News is poor. And that’s what clearly separates us. I believe in the facts. Don’t care what News station or person I get them from but I make sure they are facts.

Sam Perry
4 years ago
Reply to  Colleen Graff

Dori Hutchinson good for you. As do I. Regardless of where they were featured, unless you know them personally, you have no idea what are facts and what aren’t. I actually listen to people and don’t judge based on what channel they are on. I guess I’m just more open minded. You should try it sometime.

Jeff Braun
4 years ago

Idiotic. Since when can anyone “guarantee safety?” This is just asinine.

Ric Joline
4 years ago

oh, and no more shaking of hands, either.

Robbie Miller
4 years ago

No way!

TK Shelley Causey Christie

Do not agree.

Johnandamy Williams
4 years ago

Sad

Andy Gallion
4 years ago

Nope.

Jonathan DeWitt
4 years ago

Fauci is a hack. The data doesn’t support the decisions/restrictions the politicians are making. It was understandable at the beginning when we did t know what we were dealing with. Now we do. Time to open things up.

Ron Buda
4 years ago

Jonathan DeWitt I hear you, the frustration and anger, not being able to pursue obtainable goals. I am a coach. And also a Biology/Humans Science teacher. There is still so much we do not know. Being prudent and judicious at this time is critical. There must be some way to start…swimming, for example, in some areas are allowing 2 per lane (to start).

Ron Buda
4 years ago

Jonathan DeWitt And then I looked at your page to see what sports…swimming at Bolles! What a great experience. I coached a couple times at the Olympic Development camp way back in the 80’s.

Jonathan DeWitt
4 years ago

My son is set to start his freshman year swimming for IU in the fall and my daughter will be starting her Junior year swimming in high school. This whole situation is a mess.

Sami Jo Wilson-Harris
4 years ago

I have 2 that are due to starting swimming in the fall for their senior years. One in high school the other college. I hope something is figured out.

Heather Brouwer Johnson

Jonathan DeWitt -this is awful. My son will be a senior in high school this fall. He’s been out of the pool since March. I’m not sure the right answer, but this breaks my heart to even think of no senior season, no chance at state swim meet again, etc. It was heartbreaking when we had to come to terms with no Y Nationals, but this is an awful thought for athletes and parents.

Ron Buda
4 years ago

Jonathan DeWitt I coached at the development camp with the then coach at Indiana and the other was from Georgia. Good on your kids! Yes, this is a mess. I did stroke work in Vietnam and Kuala Lumpur this past November before the problem. I was privy to a conference call in my daughters house in Hanoi (5 years CDC). She was on with her counter part in China, So. East Asia and US. At that time (end of Nov)they were discussing a weird pneumonia in China with not enough information to make any definitive conclusions. So those who say it was in the US earlier are way off. Good luck to your kids. Make sure your son is on his stretch cords!

Rich Davis
4 years ago

Jonathan DeWitt Fauci is a hack? Before you call him a hack review his many accomplishments.
He’s not doing this out of spite or because he hates businesses or that he enjoys telling people they need to self isolate. He’s doing it for the benefit of America.
Trust Fauci or trust DeSantis & Kemp, but remember who care about your wellbeing and who cares about their corporate masters.

Ron Buda
4 years ago

Sami Jo Wilson-Harris wow! We need to start a swim page! Lol!

Peter Scott
4 years ago

Rich Davis the comments from many on this site are quite worrying…….glad to hear your sensible comments and thoughts we need more like you?stay safe?

Trisa Nickerson
4 years ago

Jonathan DeWitt the data does not support all these decisions and he may have a bigger concern. Only Newsweek will report this because mainstream won’t report this stuff.

https://www.newsweek.com/dr-fauci-backed-controversial-wuhan-lab-millions-us-dollars-risky-coronavirus-research-1500741

Rich Davis
4 years ago

Trisa Nickerson I’m not sure what your point is. He backed a ‘controversial’ method
of research?Controversial to who?200 scientists from where? What were their credentials? Under Bush Jr. stem cell research in America was outlawed because it was controversial to evangelical Christians.
Or is it that he was collaborating with China the place that many of these diseases start?

余梓鍵
4 years ago

Technically. We are human. Not dolphins. We shouldn’t allow the number of deaths and cases to spread, seeing the numbers of cases and cases are highest in the US. Our brains will retain memory how to swim. Didnt Michael Phelps retire and come back? Its not impossible.

Harris Taylor
4 years ago

Its bad. Coronavirus is deadlier than flu. 60000 have died. The worst flu season was 61000. Coronavirus has been here for shorter. It’s worse than flu. Deadlier

Carrie Hall
4 years ago

Jonathan DeWitt We’re an Indiana swim family, too. Congrats to Tristen!

Trisa Nickerson
4 years ago

Rich Davis my point is this research took place in Wuhan China studying Coronaviruses and manipulating them to see how they could jump to humans. It was going on when all this blew up and just stopped last Friday. He has clearly known about this the whole time. This was most likely caused by that research. Way too many “coincidences to be anything else.

David Peterkin
4 years ago

A few sports can physically distance like golf, archery, table tennis
TV will have to figure a way to bring audiences at home into the picture

Amy Monard Wasson
4 years ago

Ridiculous!! If an athlete or their family are concerned, then they can choose not to participate. This has turned out to be not near as bad as predicted. So, stop the control tactics and let everyone move on with their lives!!

Tanya McDowell Thome
4 years ago

Amy Monard Wasson 50,000+ people have died in 2 months. That’s not bad?

Amy Monard Wasson
4 years ago

Tanya McDowell Thome it was actually predicted to be way worse than that.

Tanya McDowell Thome
4 years ago

Amy Monard Wasson and your point is? 50,000 people have died in 2 months. And people are still dying every day around the country.

Amy Monard Wasson
4 years ago

Tanya McDowell Thome yes, people die every day. From all different things. I’m not going to argue with you, because we obviously think differently on the subject, and that is okay.

Diane Pavelin
4 years ago

It’s not nearly as bad as predicted because of the steps that were taken.

Diane Pavelin
4 years ago

Just an FYI-I’m a h.s. swim coach. Luckily, our season was over when the lockdowns started. But I don’t know if I’ll be coaching next school year. Coaching girls’ and boys’ seasons are a big part of my income, but I’d rather have safe swimmers.

Brooke Lee
4 years ago

Diane Pavelin yes you were lucky. In California, HS swim season never got started.

Amy Monard Wasson
4 years ago

Diane Pavelin I’m sorry, I hope you will be able to coach next year! I am a swim Mom, and yes, I want my daughter and her teammates and coaches, etc to be safe too. But, if we tried to keep them safe from everything, we would never do anything. We have to keep living, while doing the best we can to protect others. Let people choose whether they want to go out or not.

Steven Rose
4 years ago

Amy Monard Wasson 18% infection rate. 3% global death rate (5% in USA). And that’s WITH BEING SHUT DOWN AND SHELTERED).

Yeah it’s pretty fucking bad.

spencer pinter
spencer pinter
4 years ago
Reply to  Steven Rose

Check your stats. They are overstated and outdated. As more testing takes place, those numbers are coming down significantly, but some do not want to hear it and will do their best to try to refute it.

Tanya McDowell Thome
4 years ago

Oh sorry I was off. Just googled. 61,000 deaths as of today.

Rob Richardson
4 years ago

Why can’t we have sports – the majority watch it on TV anyway. Just do the event without fans vs “biting a bullet” and cancelling everything. It’s ridiculous

Joseph Roth
4 years ago

If you are worried don’t participate! No one is forcing you to attend a meet, or force your kids to compete!

Becky Morrow Widman
4 years ago

It’s only for 2020. Why is everyone acting like this is the end of everything?

Mike McHenry
4 years ago

becuase…Swim Parents…

Jason Barnard
4 years ago

Becky Morrow Widman you’re missing the entire point Becky.

Marie Kopinski
4 years ago

Mike McHenry we are a special breed! ?

Joel Lotzkar
4 years ago

Clickbait title.

Becky Morrow Widman
4 years ago

Jason Barnard how?

Mike McHenry
4 years ago

Joel Lotzkar ?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️

Brooke Lee
4 years ago

Becky Morrow Widman that’s what they say now. They’re predicting it will resume again in the Fall. Will we be in this same situation this time next year?

Jason Barnard
4 years ago

Becky Morrow Widman this a ‘foot in the door’ fear tactic that needs to be stopped now rather than later. My swimmer needs to get back to a training routine for both physical and mental health. If you’re scared for your swimmer’s safety (and that’s fine if you are) then you stay home. Stop imposing on everyone else.

Becky Morrow Widman
4 years ago

Jason Barnard I’m not imposing anything on anyone. I’m not fearful, I’m just following the rules as they’re outlined right now. My swimmers are frustrated and so am I, but I think the true fear is that this is a ‘forever’ situation. That’s just not the case. I know this is frustrating but we can do it, and so can our swimmers.

Jason Barnard
4 years ago

Becky Morrow Widman if you don’t speak up now it will become a ‘forever’ situation.

Becky Morrow Widman
4 years ago

Jason Barnard that’s definitely not right but I understand your frustration. No one wants this forever — no one. Please take care.

Jason Barnard
4 years ago

Becky Morrow Widman I’d love to be wrong. Are you willing to sit back and gamble that I am?

Lia Barskey
4 years ago

But can you imagine the riots that would start ?

Diana Terry Bolding
4 years ago

This is ?

Ildiko Bekker De Witt
4 years ago

Ridiculous

Marga Torrence Mikulecky

Ildiko Bekker De Witt is just takes practices in whatever form!

Kerri Jackson Swiniuch

Be prepared for the suicide rates to go up?. Fauci hasn’t been right about anything.

Todd Meyer
4 years ago

Kerri Jackson Swiniuch – I work with teens and young adults! It’s become a balancing act. Suicidal thoughts and cutting rampant. It’s going to get bad if something doesn’t give

Harris Taylor
4 years ago

Its bad. Coronavirus is deadlier than flu. 60000 have died. The worst flu season was 61000. Coronavirus has been here for shorter. It’s worse than flu. Deadlier. Maybe it’s time to realise life is more important than just opening businesses. This isn’t a game. People have died!

Kerri Jackson Swiniuch

Harris Taylor can you give me the source from where these numbers come from please.

Bret Kawasaki
4 years ago

Harris Taylor Swimming may not be life, but it adds value to many lives–and more than you think! Right now, because of the cancellation of many meets and the other parts of this huge “shutdown”, many swimmers, coaches, parents and officials DON”T have a life!

Favi Godfrey
4 years ago

this is all soo sickengly political its disgusting!!

Bob Liebzeit
4 years ago

Trump needs to fire this hack!!

Peter Scott
4 years ago
Reply to  Bob Liebzeit

Bob Liebzeit I think you got that the wrong way round. Just because the voice of reason doesn’t coincide with your desires doesn’t mean it is wrong…..?stay safe?

Harris Taylor
4 years ago
Reply to  Bob Liebzeit

People are dying and you are selfish! Its bad. Coronavirus is deadlier than flu. 60000 have died. The worst flu season was 61000. Coronavirus has been here for shorter. It’s worse than flu. Deadlier. Maybe it’s time to realise life is more important than just opening businesses. This isn’t a game. People have died!

Peter Scott
4 years ago
Reply to  Bob Liebzeit

Harris Taylor 100% correct

Steven Bales
4 years ago

“There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.

While there is ongoing community spread of COVID-19 of the virus that causes COVID-19, it is important for individuals as well as owners and operators of these facilities to take steps to ensure health and safety:

Everyone should follow local and state guidance that may determine when and how recreational water facilities may operate.
Individuals should continue to protect themselves and others at recreational water venues both in and out of the water – for example, by practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene.
In addition to ensuring water safety and quality, owners and operators of community pools, hot tubs, spas, and water play areas should follow the interim guidance for businesses and employers for cleaning and disinfecting their community facilities.”

Steven Bales
4 years ago
Reply to  Steven Bales

Swimming should be subjected to the same restrictions as other team sports. There is no shared equipment, the pool area is a natural disinfectant, social interaction is severely limited during competition as compared to other sports. Stop making blanket policies.

Erin Tobias
4 years ago
Reply to  Steven Bales

Steven Bales of course no one coughs or gasps for air while they are swimming… ??‍♀️

Steven Bales
4 years ago
Reply to  Steven Bales

And your point? You’re aware that the social distancing guidelines can be maintained in a pool correct?

Andrew Webber
4 years ago
Reply to  Steven Bales

Steven Bales keywords, through the water, swimmers don’t breathe in underwater. Stop banging on about chlorine, it makes no difference

Andrew Webber
4 years ago
Reply to  Steven Bales

Erin Tobias you’re right Erin, of all sports, being in a humid atmosphere breathing in and out heavily next to someone else…., like it or not swimming is mothballed until the vaccine arrives.

Paul Smith
4 years ago

If our swimming community at the local level where the decisions on this are being mad don’t organize and go after the elected officials then they will follow this type of BS.

USA swimming and USMS can provide grants to clubs for a short period of time, what we really need from them is a coordinated, massive lobbying effort in each state.

Amanda Davis
4 years ago

Ridiculous! Will gladly get on board with with fighting this. These athletes including student athletes like mine and many others need to be able to train in the sports they love. If businesses like clothing, home goods stores and movie theaters can open to the throngs of people that will shop and attend, these athletes and their teams can train responsibly. Swimmers are in chlorine for goodness sake! ?

Shannon Hair Scott
4 years ago
Reply to  Amanda Davis

Amanda Davis yes!! Me too!!!!

Julianne Roth Lawson
4 years ago
Reply to  Amanda Davis

Amanda Davis yes!

Tammy Lamaster
4 years ago
Reply to  Amanda Davis

Amanda Davis amen

Jason Cronk
4 years ago
Reply to  Amanda Davis

Amanda Davis Amen, Amen and Amen!!! Enough! Time to move forward!

Cami Platek
4 years ago
Reply to  Amanda Davis

When all this started the CDC put out a statement saying how Covid doesn’t transfer in the pool. Test them. Let them in. Just like any other business is doing, or like the dirty gyms won’t be! And a swimmer who goes anywhere on scholarship or gets paid for it…they are kind of like a self-employed small business. Let them work!!

Lynn Titchener
4 years ago
Reply to  Amanda Davis

IT’S CHLORINE !!!! OPEN THE POOLS !!!!

余梓鍵
4 years ago
Reply to  Amanda Davis

Businesses shouldn’t open. Where there are large gatherings, there shouldn’t be any. I take it deaths dont matter ??. Risk of transmission is zero ?? and we dont care about vulnerable people ??. Asymptomatic people wouldn’t have symptoms and lives dont matter ?? The US has the largest number of cases and deaths. Dont make it any higher!

Amanda Davis
4 years ago
Reply to  Amanda Davis

余梓鍵 my family and I have taken this very seriously and have taken social distancing very seriously. My kids only see friends virtually. My daughter is a swimmer and has asthma and has to use an inhaler at every practice and every meet. I wil take the high road here and not actually address your personal attack on someone you don’t even know. I trust the coaches of her team and they are carefully putting together a responsible plan to get these kids back to the sport they love…. SAFELY!

Connie Wolf Shaw
4 years ago

Why can’t anyone put this virus in a pool of chlorinated water and see how long it lives? Then you may actually have some real science behind whether swimming is a concern or not. Seems like a worthwhile study.

Steven Rose
4 years ago

Connie Wolf Shaw Unless you’re a fish that strictly lives under chlorinated water, then none of that matters. It spreads via air, water, and surfaces.

Connie Wolf Shaw
4 years ago

Steven Rose I have not seen anything that this is spread through chlorinated water? What evidence do you have of that?

Melissa Covert Snelson

Connie, swimmers come into contact with more than chlorinated water. They come into contact with decks, locker rooms, seating areas, doors, other swimmers, coaches, etc. I’d love my swimmer to be back in the pool — and so would he — but not unless it’s safe.

Connie Wolf Shaw
4 years ago

Melissa Covert Snelson your choice but don’t force your choices on others. What exactly is the difference of a pool open to a public grocery store? They both would have extra cleaning measures that will disinfect all surfaces. Not opening an outdoor training pool with concrete surfaces has what concerns? Coaches don’t social distance standing over a pool to kids in water? There is zero proof that this can’t be done in safe means. It’s just ppl want to broad stroke swipe their fears onto others. Look at the stats for kids. It’s no worse than worst flu for most yet we are going to socially isolate them from activity from fears?

Mike McHenry
4 years ago

Connie Wolf Shaw NOBODY needs to swim…people need to eat..see how easy that was

Steven Rose
4 years ago

Connie Wolf Shaw the proof is that if it were doable, this disease would not spread already.

Connie Wolf Shaw
4 years ago

Mike McHenry Nobody NEEDS to do a lot of things. This is about the freedom to do things that can be still be done safely. Why allow unsubstantiated fears prohibit activity to something? Determine if it’s valid or prohibit or not not just close the door because you think the world needs to be locked up for 18 months.

Connie Wolf Shaw
4 years ago

Steven Rose again, where is your “proof” anyone has contracted CV19 from a chlorinated pool?

Steven Bales
4 years ago

“There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.” From CDC’s website.

Connie Wolf Shaw
4 years ago

Steven Bales thank you.

Steven Rose
4 years ago

Connie Wolf Shaw I never said from the water itself. I said it is contracted from LITERALLY EVERYTHING ELSE. Having a chlorinated pool doesn’t stop air being shared, deck being shared, handles being shared, entire locker rooms being shared, fountains being shared, etc.

It’s been documented that while 6 feet is suggested, it can be contracted from at least 15feet. Lanes are not even 6ft apart let alone 15+. It has also been shown to live on surfaces for several days. As well as lingering in air for several minutes. A chlorinated pool doesn’t stop any of that. And that’s your claim, that having a pool stops all spread. Which is a blatant lie.

Mike McHenry
4 years ago

Connie Wolf Shaw Running, Cycling, Walking, Hiking…all doable and all on the “allowed’ list…heck, Open water swimming is allowed, and the brave ones are getting their strokes in now via that route. But there still wont be a competitive swimming for the rest of 2020

Mike McHenry
4 years ago

Oh…and ALL those options are MUCH better for a swimmer instead of being in the pool 48 weeks a year

Connie Wolf Shaw
4 years ago

Mike McHenry I’m not advocating competitive meets right now, Im saying I think we can make it safe for swimmers to continue to train in pools. Produce further evidence of this if needed.

Jeannine Juskalian
4 years ago

Dr Fauci is off his rocker. A swimmer out of the pool for a month is awful more than that it’s a tragedy. All swimmers need to get back into the pool otherwise there will be no Olympics for anyone next year either.

Steven Rose
4 years ago

Jeannine Juskalian

Jeannine Juskalian
4 years ago

Steven Rose you don’t want me to say what I think of you

Steven Rose
4 years ago

Jeannine Juskalian I would rather have no practice/even olympics than mass death due to people’s stupidity and selfishness.

spencer pinter
spencer pinter
4 years ago
Reply to  Steven Rose

Mass death? Scary… Tell that to the Swedes. They continue to live life with only voluntary social distancing!! By the way, their death rate per 1M population is slightly higher than ours, but with absolutely no lock-downs. They continue to mingle and kids under 16 continue to go to school. What are they allowing themselves to achieve that our so-called “experts” are denying us all – herd immunity. Those who are staying in are effectively weakening their own immunity systems. Eventually, they will have to come out, and when you do, they will be more susceptible to being infected. Be practical, stay strong and healthy and you will most likely avoid the Virus.

Jeannine Juskalian
4 years ago

Steven Rose so you think the reality in this life we live in is to stay home for a year. Who’s the stupid one now. I didn’t say now but everyone has to get back to reality soon otherwise there will be no sports, stores, restaurants, etc and than your mass deaths will be due to suicides because people can’t survive behind 4 walls mentally

Adam Richey
4 years ago

Steven Rose mass death!!! It is killing less then 1%, and that is with the number being inflated with medical facilities tracking all deaths as covid related!! If the media wouldn’t have blown this up you would not have known the difference between this flu season and last years flu season!! Athletes need to get back to training and the economy needs to open!! Staying hidden in our houses will just prolong this!! We have never beaten a disease by hiding from it. At some point we have to face this!!

Jeannine Juskalian
4 years ago

Adam Richey yes for sure. And by staying in your homes it will weaken everyone immune system just like the elderly.

Connie Wolf Shaw
4 years ago

Jeannine Juskalian Stevens just a troll.

Adam Richey
4 years ago

Jeannine Juskalian agree 100%

Steven Rose
4 years ago

Adam Richey infection rate is 18% of those tested. Of those positive, 5% is the USA (8% in Michigan) death rate with it being 3% globally.

If covid was the factor that caused the death, then it’s listed as a cause of death. That’s pretty straight forward. They would have been living without the virus and the virus did them in.

Covid has killed more in 6weeks than the flu does in 12months.

And anyone that cries “the media hysteria” for reporting live, accurate and scientifically supported statistics is a fucking moron.

But I figure that out as you’ve repeatedly squawked idiotic right wing propaganda and rhetoric regarding the virus that is blatantly false and constantly debunked.

Athletes don’t need shit other than to stay alive and not spread a global disease.

Also the reason it’s so low is BECAUSE OF THE QUARANTINE AND RESTRICTIONS. Literally staying in is what’s curbing this as much as it has.

You are an imbecile who is promoting bioterrorism. The economy and sports are NOT more important than wiping out enormous chunks of any and all populations.

Holy hell you are deranged. Seek some mental help immediately.

Steven Rose
4 years ago

Connie Wolf Shaw I forgot that presenting facts and science was now considered trolling to the uneducated and willfully ignorant ??‍♀️

Connie Wolf Shaw
4 years ago

Steven Rose What facts? I asked you for them and you’ve produced nothing but trolling comments. Put up your facts or shut up. Troll.

Peter Scott
4 years ago

Jeannine Juskalian likely you are correct. We are at the begining of a world wide pandemic and next year is still to early in my opinion. Vaccines still to be developed and distributed. If the Olympics are held next year I will be very surprised.?stay safe?

Harris Taylor
4 years ago

Its bad. People have died!!!!!!!! Coronavirus is deadlier than flu. 60000 have died. The worst flu season was 61000. Coronavirus has been here for shorter. It’s worse than flu. Deadlier. Maybe it’s time to realise life is more important than just opening businesses. This isn’t a game. People have died!

Andy Gallion
4 years ago

If the virus can survive in the Wakefield High School pool and deck environment, then every person on earth will die from it.

Tina Evans
4 years ago

It is believed that the virus can’t be passed in a chlorine environment. What is more chlorinated than a chlorine pool? Let our fish have their love of the water back!

Tim Ritchie
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Tina Evans So do you work in an aquatics environment?

Tina Evans
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Tim Ritchie done with the discussion. Not going to continue. It’s obvious you don’t respect my opinion. I do respect yours. Will have to agree to disagree.

Steven Rose
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Tina Evans Unless you’re a fish that strictly lives under chlorinated water, that’s entirely false.

Tim Ritchie
4 years ago
Reply to  Tina Evans

Tina Evans I respect your opinion, I just wanted to know if you have a background in aquatics management. No disrespect, just wanted to have an intellectual adult conversation because opening aquatic facilities is a big deal in how we move forward.

Jennifer Williams
4 years ago

Just like he projected what kind of numbers?

Linda B. Goller
4 years ago

Solar and high hunidity

Sharon Chocko Gallagher

Time to revolt. Enough is enough

Rich Davis
4 years ago

Sharon Chocko Gallagher people revolting and protesting is what’s driving this virus. If everyone just stayed at home after March Break this would be over now.

Sharon Chocko Gallagher

Rich Davis I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree with you

Rich Davis
4 years ago

Sharon Chocko Gallagher that’s fine, disagree with me all you want. The virus doesn’t care.

Sharon Chocko Gallagher

Rich Davis fear of what they tell you to be afraid of must be exhausting.

Harris Taylor
4 years ago

People have died! Suffered by respiratory difficulties. Its bad. Coronavirus is deadlier than flu. 60000 have died. The worst flu season was 61000. Coronavirus has been here for shorter. It’s worse than flu. Deadlier. Maybe it’s time to realise life is more important than just opening businesses. This isn’t a game. People have died!

Kristine Murphy Grim
4 years ago

The problem is literally EVERYWHERE else at an aquatic site except the water! You can’t get to the water without surfaces that can hold the virus! ?
I get your emotional connection but it’s just sport, it’s not life or death.

Jeannine Juskalian
4 years ago

Kristine Murphy Grim to my son who has been in the pool since 7 and he’s almost 17 he has life long goals for high school, college and beyond that he has worked his entire life for so for him it’s not just a sport. And swimmers can most definitely still train and stay 6ft apart if they swim every other lane and some start at opposite end

Tammy Lamaster
4 years ago

Kristine Murphy Grim to some it’s not just a sport to the college athlete who’s scholarship depends on sports it’s much more. Students athletes work their asses off to get to college to play a sport.

Anonymous
Anonymous
4 years ago

Could not agree more!!!

Kristine Murphy Grim
4 years ago

Jeannine Juskalian yes but there are so many other surfaces es and areas except the pool. That is what my post says. It is not worth the suffering and possible spread to others.

余梓鍵
4 years ago

We shouldNT allow the number of deaths and cases to spread, seeing the numbers of cases and cases are highest in the US.

Jeannine Juskalian
4 years ago

Kristine Murphy Grim at our pool
It’s in and out very small areas around pool and it’s cleaned frequently.

Harris Taylor
4 years ago

Why are we risking lives?? Coronavirus is deadlier than flu. 60000 have died. The worst flu season was 61000. Coronavirus has been here for 3 months. It’s worse than flu. Deadlier

Lyn Smith
4 years ago

Kristine Murphy Grim, how about not touching your face?! It’s really not that hard to stay away from swimmers and then sanitize after

Lyn Smith
4 years ago

Harris Taylor, you need to stop watching tv

Ted Gregory
4 years ago

Bullshit!

Andrew Brower
4 years ago

Darwin is gonna get his anyways. Are the hospitals ready for us to reopen is the question you should ask. Heard immunity doesn’t work and a vaccine in years away from approval. Everyone is gonna get it eventually and we can’t keep everything shut down forever. If hospitals are ready for us then the point of the quarantine has met its purpose. If you’re a risk individual or don’t feel ok joining back, then keep inside and away. This is ridiculous

余梓鍵
4 years ago
Reply to  Andrew Brower

And asymptomatic cases? Explain why the US has the highest number of deaths and cases

Andrew Brower
4 years ago
Reply to  Andrew Brower

The US is reporting all of their actual confirmed cases. The death toll report is skewed but let’s not get into that.
Use common sense and you’d realize the most cases and deaths for sure go to the much more densely populated and much largely populated China who mysteriously stopped reporting cases or deaths one day.
If you go off of your percent of total not just a total number you’ll see the fatality rate is very low overall.
Also so what about symptomatic people? They have nothing to worry about given they aren’t at risk of the disease, they just carry it.
Again, if you feel at risk, stay home forever cause this disease is going nowhere anytime soon.

Harris Taylor
4 years ago
Reply to  Andrew Brower

Coronavirus is deadlier than flu. 60000 have died. The worst flu season was 61000. Coronavirus has been here for shorter. It’s worse than flu. Deadlier

Andrew Brower
4 years ago
Reply to  Andrew Brower

Harris Taylor If you’re addressing me, when did I mention any comparison to the flu? That’s irrelevant and not what I was saying. Also, if you’re going by what’s deadlier, compare any totals in percentages not figures.

Sonia Cicolini Wilson
4 years ago

Fauci is a power hungry criminal

Jacob Turner
4 years ago

? OK Buddy!!!!??

Jessica Middleton Newman

Nope

Erin Tobias
4 years ago

It gives me some comfort that a majority of you guys haven’t had to see how truly devastating this virus is that you are thinking being out of a pool is more tragic than the loss of life from this virus.