Other nations, namely Japan and Italy, have responded to the threat by shuddering schools, quarantining neighborhoods, and canceling all events with large gatherings. So far, the United States hasn't taken any of these actions.
Self-quarantining should be a consideration taken by individuals, local governments, and large organizations. I'm currently not rolling jiu-jitsu out both of an abundance of caution and the realization disease spreads rapidly in both that setting and NYC.
So what about the NCAA wrestling tournament and this weekend's conference championships?
Obviously, it's too late to cancel or postpone the conference tournaments, but attendees -- especially those over the age of 50 or with compromised immune systems -- should take extra caution. Wrestling gyms are notably unclean with plenty of shoes also making their way from bathroom floors to the mats. And maybe there are more unwashed hands? I don't know, but please take extreme precaution.
As for the NCAA tournament, I also think it's almost an impossible call for someone to cancel. However, if we were to separate our anticipation for the event there is something questionable about hosting the largest-ever collegiate wrestling tournament in American history in Minnesota, while the largest and scariest pandemic in 100 years spreads quickly in enclosed environments and the cold.
That's to say nothing of the tournament goers average age being in the band of those most-vulnerable to serious complications caused by the virus.
Most readers probably read the past few weeks that Kyrgyzstan and Morocco canceled their hosting obligations for the Asian and African/Oceania Olympic qualifying tournaments. They are going to be rescheduled, but it brings into focus just how important a decision it is to protect the public from a global pandemic.
The idea of cancellation will not be popular, but we do need to discuss it and know that our leaders at the NCAA are entertaining the options and preparing for these massive crowds. To note, Japan has kept their sumo tournament in place, but have made them closed to the public to avoid any transmissions among the public. Maybe that's an idea that the NCAA could also entertain.
Don't panic, don't be alarmist, but do keep in mind that this disease has infected 80,000-plus people and killed almost 4,000 -- and those numbers are very, very raw with likely infections and unattributed deaths much higher.
Take it seriously and please -- really, please -- wash your hands, and don't attend if you are feeling ill.
To your questions …
Q: Which conference tournament are you most looking forward to this weekend?
-- Mike C.
Foley: The ACC, which is the most concentrated and competitive conference in the nation. The matchups are in some places going to inform who will be the top seed in Minnesota, and who has the best shot at placing in the team standings.
That's a kind of a tongue-in-cheek statement, but it's true that this is the most competitive the ACC has ever been. Never has there been three teams ranked in the top ten -- a thought that would've been laughed out of your head 15 or 20 years ago. The conference has built on the new qualification systems and the individual school's ability to recruit top-level athletes to top-flight academic institutions with beautiful campuses (and weather).
I don't see this trend subsiding, either. The ACC schools and the support they've acquired are trending well headed into the Roaring 20's. Is this the best season the conference will ever have? No. I think the best is still in front of many schools, my alma mater and Duke University included.
Trent Hidlay enters the ACC Championships seeded No. 2 at 184 pounds (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Q: The ACC Championships has three of the top 184-pounders. Who do you think will win the weight class?
-- Mike C.
Foley: I'll take Trent Hidlay over Hunter Bolen in the finals. Hunter has the last win, 3-2, only a few weeks ago, but Trent is having a monster freshman season and if he can keep it trucking through the semifinals and get past Nino Bonaccorsi of Pitt I think he comes out on top in the finals.
MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME
There has been a Frank sighting at the UFC event this weekend
Not a bad Vlog
Q: Yoel Romero fights for the title this weekend at UFC 248. Think he has a chance against the The Last Style Bender?
-- Ben M.
Foley: I do! How in the ever-loving hell is Israel Adesanya going to stay with Yoel as he wrestles him again and again and again. If anything is leveling the odds it's that Yoel is kinda slowing down and has a real knack for getting tired in the championship rounds. A ground and pound offensive for the ages early in the second period could do the job for Yoel. Otherwise he needs to keep his output low and save his energy for the fourth and fifth rounds where a better conditioned and younger Style Bender will be looking to inflict damage.
If Yoel comes out of the third looking in good shape then he has a chance to win. If he's sucking wind then there is almost no chance of him escaping those final rounds.
Q: It seems like we will finally get Gable Steveson vs. Mason Parris this weekend. What is your prediction if the match goes down?
-- Mike C.
Foley: If the line is Parris +1.5 then I'll take Parris with the points. Heads up I have Steveson.
Why don't we think the match will happen? Because they aren't meant to walk through their opponents, or because one of the coaches might protect a seed heading into the NCAA Championships?
I don't know, but it's unfortunate that we are left to think about forfeits and NCAA wrestling in 2020.
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