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I'm glad an SEC expert went (recently) on the record with their thinking, but some infectious disease colleagues ( @neelrgandhi @DrSnowInBus @JillWeather) and I have some serious concerns about her answers. (1/9) https://twitter.com/SethWEmerson/status/1294394687705448448
SEC Expert: Opposing linemen aren't close contacts - requires 15 straight minutes of close exposure.
Response: This is both demonstrably wrong and flies in the face of common sense. The CDC definition doesn't require 15 continuous minutes of contact. (con'td) (2/9)
Response: This is both demonstrably wrong and flies in the face of common sense. The CDC definition doesn't require 15 continuous minutes of contact. (con'td) (2/9)
If being within 6 ft for 15 mins is a close contact, how long do you have to be breathing heavily in each other's faces at point blank range to create that same concern? It should be much shorter. The 6 ft/15 minute rule is not applicable for football games/practices. (3/9)
SEC Expert: We had "earlier" experience w/ COVID-19, allowing us to develop a stronger plan than Big Ten/Pac-12
Response: There's no evidence for this - MI, WA, CA had early outbreaks. If you're referring to early outbreaks during SEC workouts, is that a point of *pride*? (4/9)
Response: There's no evidence for this - MI, WA, CA had early outbreaks. If you're referring to early outbreaks during SEC workouts, is that a point of *pride*? (4/9)
SEC Expert: "Our regions now have banked a ton of lessons learned."
Response: This puts you at an advantage? Then why is the virus out of control in many parts of SEC and Big 12 country? (5/9)
Response: This puts you at an advantage? Then why is the virus out of control in many parts of SEC and Big 12 country? (5/9)
SEC Expert: "there are triggers to stop and start and those are triggers that have been laid out by the CDC and are laid out in our plan."
Response: Great, what are they? Why aren't you sharing details and numbers? Let us hold you to them. (6/9)
Response: Great, what are they? Why aren't you sharing details and numbers? Let us hold you to them. (6/9)
SEC Expert: We can keep our teams safe, but we're concerned about the broader campus environment and SEC communities.
Response: Then we aren't sure we'd be confident in your ability to play at all. What numbers in the community - on campus or off - would make you suspend? (7/9)
Response: Then we aren't sure we'd be confident in your ability to play at all. What numbers in the community - on campus or off - would make you suspend? (7/9)
SEC Expert: Our medical teams can handle myocarditis in our players.
Response: While it may resolve with time, there's no direct treatment and life-long complications like arrhythmias and heart failure can occur. Shouldn't cavalierly assume all athletes/staff will be fine. (8/9)
Response: While it may resolve with time, there's no direct treatment and life-long complications like arrhythmias and heart failure can occur. Shouldn't cavalierly assume all athletes/staff will be fine. (8/9)
The whole SEC interview felt like a giant dodge to avoid saying the truth - that the SEC simply has a higher risk tolerance.
Also have to ask: what is the effect of playing football on the broader community's health, beyond players? If it adds risk, how do we justify that? (9/9)
Also have to ask: what is the effect of playing football on the broader community's health, beyond players? If it adds risk, how do we justify that? (9/9)
This is a good point. It's some combination of higher risk tolerance and/or greater perceived benefits. https://twitter.com/WillCraigCFB/status/1294745889186160648?s=20
