Sports and the Pandemic? When do we finally open this up?

Massachusetts is starting Phase 1 of the reopening process today! Actually, I really like how my state is handling this. It is data based, well-defined, and balances public health with business needs pretty well. I can abide by the plan... as long as there is a clear, well thought out plan.

If all goes well. I can get a haircut next week!

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/coronavirus/gov-charlie-baker-to-detail-reopening-massachusetts/2126266/

Viruses don't abide by anything except the laws of physics/nature.

The Massachusetts plan takes that into account. There are specific targets based on the data. If the numbers improve, the plan moves forward. If the numbers get worse, the plan either freezes, or takes a step backwards.

You can read about it here https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-four-phase-approach

It makes a lot of sense to me.

404 error

Sorry.... I fixed it. Try it again.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-four-phase-approach

That worked. Thanks

How exactly? How does a plan take account of every possible route of viral transmission in a changing social world where people configure and reconfigure all the time into different combinations in different venues?


And what if the numbers improve because healthy people are not reporting infections because they are not seeking care? What if people are passing on the virus without getting sick from it?

If planning and optimism cause people to behave less cautiously, it's going to stimulate people to spread the virus more.

Time will tell what happens and/or whether the authorities who made the plan can be held accountable by anyone contracting the virus.

I don't think they can ultimately be held responsible for what amounts to an act of God, so basically whatever they say to give people justifications to re-open and go out are just tricking people to take more risk than they might otherwise; and because no one is going to be liable except those who contract the disease, they are the ones who are going to pay the real cost with their health (and of course whoever pays their medical bills).

(I upthumbed you, even though I disagree).

I am curious what your plan would be Lava?

You can read it for yourself. They measure data based on 5 criteria... which in my opinion are pretty good data to watch. The people who devised are people who know how the science works.

Of course, if something happens outside of these data, they can change it, or step back on their own.

1. Do you agree that at some point they need to reopen the state?
2. Do you agree that this should be based on objective data?

If you are just quibbling with the specific criteria, then you read the plan and come up with specific criticism.

It's not a centralized plan but rather decentralized risk avoidance/minimization. Avoid all unnecessary social contact and work on solutions for logistical and economic problems that are being encountered.

For me the challenge is figuring out what to do when free individuals fail to take responsibility at the decentralized level and whether to exercise institutional authority to correct/discipline them and if so, how.


How exactly is all that going to work? How are they going to be looking for data 'outside the data?' If they change it or step back, damage is already going to have been done.

Basically what you're talking about is a controlled method for increasing risk-exposure, while measuring the effects. It's like taking a smoker who has quit smoking because something showed up on a lung xray and gradually easing them back into smoking in a controlled way and monitoring them for further changes.


The concept of 're-opening the state,' is based on the assumption of a collective status quo that is just not relevant. What is relevant is whether people are getting enough to eat and otherwise sufficing. If there are shortages, those need to be studied and solutions devised and considered.

An 'open economy' is not a necessity for survival. Certain economic activities are, however, so it is important to assess when people/businesses are facing challenges in achieving those economic activities that are necessary, and then solve those challenges in a way that minimizes risk.


Objective data can be represented and interpreted/analyzed in ways that obscure the fact they are not objective just because they are based on data that is objective.

What's more, there are issues at the level of data collection, reporting, and research design that are subjective, but the moment anything resembling 'objective data' is produced, critical thinking is turned off and people just start swallowing whatever claims are made 'hook, line, and sinker" because they are taken as 'objective.'

Sport is an 'evolutionary' distraction.
Shut ALL 'competitiveness' down - Learn to 'Cooperate' with, not 'Compete' against.

Or Not.

It is what it is.
Have a Lovely Day

with you on this bit

tricky though. part of the benefit of team sports is learning how to cooperate as a member of a team. there is probably some way to apply that in a sport that doesn't involve competition but not sure what that might be. I'd go for it if there was such a thing.

You make a valuable point, but don't forget that 'cooperation' can also mean domination/submission. Just because people are cooperating doesn't mean there is liberty or independence guiding the individuals involved.

Ontario opened golf courses in a very limited way this past long weekend. Listening to a call-in on modifications courses made and how it worked.

Definitely nothing like a stadium full of people, and listening to players reactions, doesn't sound like any of them are willing to consider anything more groupý in the next year or so.

Imagine the 100m olympic sprint - The last runner falls and the lead runner conceeds his given win, shiny medal and reverence as earths' quickest homonid - To rush to his/her fallen colleagues aid... Rather than?

That's where I'm headed 'spiritually'.

With competive sport comes revelry, rivalry, division, angst, self-reverance, gambling, euphoria, depression, violence and shiny medallions.

How can a species progress when it is culturally indoctrinated to be divided (By flags, team colours, beliefs, national borders, ideals, mannerisms)?

That's rhetorical, btw.

BUT, having not 'endured' such 'divisional' bias - The consequence of 'unity' cannot be developed.

It All Ends well, probably-ish.
For that which it All Ends well for.

Have a Lovely Day

Competition is not bad - it can push one to try to get better.

If you do not compete - then what is the incentive to get better? Some people are self-motivated, but others it pushes them to get better.

And yes working as a team to get to a competitive goal is great thing to learn.

What I love about the types of competitions that my kids were involved in - they compete often times against friends depending on how the teams are made up.

They learn it is ok to compete and try to win and still respect and like your opponent.

How can cooperation lead to dominance/submission - If All participants are Only aware of cooperative-likemindedness?

Ego dissolves if unfuelled. Dominance/Submission are ego-bound.
Supress/Not inflate primary egoism and we are ALL one 'pack' (Like a 'Dog' pack).

In RL, LL - I strip egos in an instant, Not by intent - By Not fuelling them - I pay No credit to ego. And 'It' Hates my presence.

I can't be charmed, purchased, seduced or blackmailed.
I simply don't care.
Have a Lovely Day

not really other competitors often do help their competition.
From the Rio Olympics -


Runner Helps Fallen Opponent Across Finish Line
Ohio student's action causes crowd to cheer enthusiastically at track meet.


AJ Leone – a senior at Lyndhurst High School – has autism and has been the boy’s basketball team manager for two years. For the senior night game Leone was able to suit up and play in the game. He scored a 3-pointer at the buzzer, getting cheers from his teammates and classmates.



You can find lots of these examples. High school or college where they allow a down's syndrome teammate opponent team as well to score.

Think of the movie Rudy - and the Notre Dame Football game.

Everything you stated.
Is a reflection, based on the Narrative of established dogma.

'We are All in this, together'
So they say.

I'm Not.

Have a Lovely Day

No Need.
That You display such is brilliant.

You have, clearly, been affected by such (altruism), enough so, that you took the time to reinforce its effect.

And by the same inclusions - You've affected another/s'.

Good show!

Have a Lovely Day