Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.comFallout from the spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19, has reached the global sports world. All major professional sports organizations have canceled or suspended their seasons and the NCAA, no doubt feeling immense pressure, has canceled the NCAA Wrestling Championships.
For the wrestlers and coaches who have worked so hard this season and who have sacrificed so much over their career, today is day of loss and grieving. The cancellation of the NCAA wrestling tournament is not comparable to the NBA season, because for our athletes the focus of their entire lives has been on winning an NCAA title. The stair-running, weight-cutting and months of sacrifice were all in a pursuit of a single three-day period at the end of a five-month season. The coronavirus has taken away that opportunity.
We are accustomed to stability in the United States. For those that travel often planes are generally on time, hotels keep reservations, and planned events go on without many cancellations. The free movement of people here is something most of us don't consider. We've been largely inoculated from the pain and suffering that conflict outside of our control can bring to our families and friends. As we feel this pain of lost sporting events and lives interrupted, it's important to also take lessons forward about how we can be better stewards to those less fortunate. We are lucky and we need to do more coming out of this to take care of those who are less fortunate.
Perspective is hard in a time of personal loss, but the wrestling community needs to be reminded that doctors, epidemiologists, virologists, and world leaders are calling for the immediate and widespread containment of coronavirus in order to SAVE LIVES. The number of cases is growing by the hour and that number could see exponential growth once testing kits in the United States are made in large order and calculated by a central source. Those numbers will further sink the stock market, drive many of us into a fearful state, and all but shut down the economy of the United States. It's terrifying, but by limiting these events there will be less spread and a quicker return to normalcy.
Don't panic, but also don't make light of the serious life-altering effect this disease is poised to have on the United States. Limit your risks, and maybe more importantly treat others (online and off) with compassion and patience. Everyone will handle this differently. Also, by God's grace, it seems the virus doesn't attack our children, but it does affect the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Be mindful and stay vigilant of their needs.
Good luck and stay safe.
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