Three days before MLS attempts to resume play in the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, it is facing more than a dozen positive tests, a postponement of the game, probably more to come, and a load of uncertainty.
He is facing all of this in part because of two simple flaws, understandable but avoidable in his plan.
Many MLS teams brought COVID-19 to the league bubble in Florida. They formed and socialized while the virus was not detected. So, after detecting the spread within the team, they stopped training and quarantined, for several consecutive days, within a week of the opening games.
It’s a disaster and it’s accelerating towards kick-off, for three big reasons:
The United States has failed to subdue the coronavirus. (This, of course, isn’t MLS’s fault.)
MLS required players to quarantine only for about 24 hours on arrival. This leaves a 3-6 day window where players could A) contract the virus out of the bubble, B) test negative on arrival, and C) spread it to teammates, coaches or others inside the bubble once which become infectious – which is typically 4-7 days after infection.
MLS required the teams to enter the bubble just a week before they opened, leaving no time for a large quarantine and no time for virus-ravaged teams to recover and stabilize before kick-off.
NBA, which later this month will resume in its own Disney World bubble." data-reactid="31">The whole situation should serve as a warning. To all the major US sports leagues, but especially to the NBA, which will resume in its Disney World bubble later this month.
Soccer’s, leave it vulnerable to an MLS-style mess." data-reactid="32">His plan already addresses reason no. 3. But his quarantine protocols on arrival, although more stringent than those of Major League Soccer, make him vulnerable to an MLS-style mess.
The problem
NBA teams will enter the league’s bubble July 7-9, three weeks before play resumes. That will ease most concern that outside-the-bubble infection could impact the actual season. MLS, with its seven-day buffer, self-inflicted time pressure and uncertainty. The NBA they should avoid it. “data -eagid =” 34 “> NBA teams will enter the league bubble from 7 to 9 July, three weeks before play resumes. This will ease most concerns that infection outside the bubble could have a impact on the real season MLS, with its seven-day buffer, self-inflicted time pressure and uncertainty they should avoid it.
NBA’s plan – to quarantine all individuals in hotel rooms for their first 36-48 hours inside the bubble – doesn’t address that problem, epidemiologists confirm. Which is why the NBA should look at MLS, rethink its own protocols, and strengthen them." data-reactid="35">But the delay of several days between the COVID-19 infection and detection is still problematic. The NBA’s plan – to quarantine all individuals in hotel rooms for their first 36-48 hours inside the bubble – does not address this problem, epidemiologists confirm. That’s why the NBA should examine MLS, rethink its protocols and strengthen them.
The hypothetical disturbing is this: suppose Team X will leave for Disney on July 8th. Suppose the team star, Player A, contracted the virus from a family member on July 6th. Player A would almost certainly experience negative on arrival, then again the following day. He would be free to leave his hotel room. But on July 10, 11 or 12, it would likely become contagious and have the opportunity to spread the virus to teammates.
The solution
The almost foolproof solution is to triple the length of that initial quarantine. Of course, no player or staff wants to take refuge in a hotel room for six days. But this would allow the league to capture every case of coronavirus brought to the bubble by internal markets. It would crush the spread within the team. If the practice started on Day 6 or 7, rather than Day 3, the teams could be fairly certain that all participating players were virus free.
It is a short-term personal sacrifice for a common long-term gain. A six-day quarantine is undesirable. But the potential results it prevents are much more undesirable. The risk of the current protocols is that player A infected three teammates on 11 July before being positive on 12 July. Team X would therefore have two options:
Close rehearsals and other group activities for seven days, quarantine all players to ensure they don’t spread anymore
Continue to exercise, but the risk spreads further
Option 1 indicates a week without practice as the reboot approaches and a competitive disadvantage. Option 2 leaves Team X susceptible to the nightmare scenario: those three teammates, those who were infected by Player A, infect four other teammates on July 16 or 17 before being tested. Team X would have almost half of its players unavailable or barely available when the season resumes. It would also have the same dilemma outlined once again.
NBA can avoid it if employees are willing to endure several days of confinement. Several days of confinement for everybody would mean a competitive disadvantage for nobody, and a smooth restart." data-reactid="44">Basically, risk generates a more potential risk. More potential mess. The NBA can avoid this if employees are willing to endure several days in prison. Several days of imprisonment for all would mean a competitive disadvantage for anyone and a regular restart.
MLS is the living proof of the opposite and a lesson with a clear conclusion: it is worth sacrificing in the short term. Maybe even necessary.
