Page 23 - ARUBA TODAY

A23
SPORTS Wednesday 11 March 2020
Virus scare

Continued from Page 18

"I don't know that we have
our arms around how sig-
nificant of an issue this is at
this point, so if the league is
recommending or their pol-
icy is we want to take step
by step type precautions,
then we want to go along
with that," Texas Rangers
general manager Jon Dan-
iels said.
It is unclear how long the
new policies will last.
"No disrespect, but that's
the last thing I'm worried
about," Nuggets coach
Michael Malone said pri-
or to Denver's NBA game
against Milwaukee on
Monday night.
"I think it's dangerous for - In this Oct. 11, 2016, file photo, Texas Rangers pitcher Sam Dyson, left, packs a bag in the locker room at the baseball park in
Arlington, Texas.
everybody," Rangers pitch- Associated Press
er Edinson Volquez said.
"Somebody could have it, ently than usual. The team's The policy would affect virus have died, most of been adversely impacted
you talk to a guy, you go three NBA championship three San Jose Sharks home them in China. More than by the virus.
home, maybe you transfer trophies were near the en- games, and the Sharks said 62,000 people have al- "Therefore, we understand
that to your kids and wife trance — with someone in a statement they are re- ready recovered. The virus the NBA's decision to tem-
and family. So I think it's a standing by with a bottle of viewing their options. has infected 600 people porarily close locker rooms
good idea for now. Proba- hand sanitizer. The team could play the in the United States — in- to everyone but players
bly later, hopefully we can And guests, when they ar- games without fans, find cluding the director of the and essential team person-
get together again. But for rived, were offered cham- a neutral site or play the agency that runs the air- nel with the NBA's promise
now, we have to take care pagne by some atten- games on the road. ports in New York and New that once the coronavirus
of that." dants, more hand sanitizer MLB officials, like the NBA, Jersey — and at least 26 crisis abates, the league
For most people, the new by others. held a conference call with have died, most in Wash- will restore full access to
coronavirus causes only "Until the league says all 30 of their franchises on ington state. the journalists who cover
mild or moderate symp- something else, we are Monday to discuss the new The Pro Basketball Writ- the league."
toms, such as fever and business as usual with a policies. ers Association quickly re- Some NCAA Division III
cough. For some, especial- tremendous amount of All four leagues — and the sponded to the leagues' men's basketball games
ly older adults and people caution and prevention NFL, which has been in- announcement by saying this past weekend were
with existing health prob- to make sure everybody's volved in the talks but isn't its membership "believes played without crowds
lems, it can cause more se- safe," Heat President Pat Ri- part of this policy since no the safety of fans, players, because of concerns over
vere illness, including pneu- ley said Monday night. "But teams are currently holding team employees, arena the virus. At least one col-
monia. also, educating them that practices — are collecting workers and the media lege hockey playoff series
The vast majority of people they've got to do the same information from the CDC who cover the league must this coming weekend in
recover from the new virus. thing." and Canadian health of- be protected. Troy, New York, between
According to the World The NBA held a call with ficials, even as the situa- Our thoughts are with all RPI and Harvard also will be
Health Organization, peo- team medical staffs later tion changes almost on an people who already have played without fans.q
ple with mild illness recover Monday night and sched- hour-by-hour basis.
in about two weeks, while uled a Wednesday call be- "We are regularly convey-
those with more severe ill- tween league officials and ing the guidance from
ness may take three to six team owners to discuss these experts to clubs,
weeks to recover. In main- next steps. The NBA told players, and staff regard-
land China, where the virus teams last week to prepare ing prevention, good hy-
first exploded, more than for the possibility of play- giene practices and the
80,000 people have been ing games in empty are- latest recommendations
diagnosed and more than nas, something the game's related to travel," MLB said
58,000 have so far recov- biggest star — Los Ange- in a statement. "We are
ered. les Lakers forward LeBron continuing to monitor de-
"Roses are red, Violets are James — insists he does not velopments and will adjust
blue, Wash your hands! want to see. as necessary. While MLB
WASH YOUR HANDS!" Enes "I doubt that that's going recognizes the fluidity of
Kanter of the Boston Celtics to happen," Riley said. "But this rapidly evolving situa-
wrote on Twitter. you have to be prepared." tion, our current intention is
Meanwhile, there is already It could happen in at least to play Spring Training and
a clear sense of the new one NHL arena. Late Mon- regular season games as
normal in the U.S. day, California's Santa scheduled."
The Miami Heat held their Clara County announced More than 113,000 people
annual gala at a theater in a ban of all large gather- worldwide have tested
Miami Beach on Monday ings of at least 1,000 people positive for the disease and
night, albeit a bit differ- for the rest of the month. over 3,900 people with the