While the rest of the nation has followed strict stay-at-home guidelines, Florida is moving toward reopening its professional sporting events. On April 9, Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Jared Moskowitz, approved additions to Executive Order 20-91, branding professional sports employees as “essential services.”
The Founding Fathers exhibited astonishing foresight when they laid the cornerstone of American democracy: state governance. Although every state’s pandemic response differs between borders, Florida’s response drastically contrasts in comparison to the nation’s agenda.
Through the new additions to the Executive Order, it allowed World Wrestling Entertainment, Ultimate Fighting Championship and more to reopen in two phases. Phase One, put in effect on May 4, limits the occupancy of large spectator sporting events and venues to 25 percent of building capacity. Phase Two increases capacity to 50 percent on May 18.
Executive Order 20-91 was premature in regards to the risk it creates for public health. With professional athletes who are constantly traveling being allowed to work again, it puts not only the athletes but the coaching staff and fans at risk.
However, this does not mean other Florida teams included under national leagues are relieved of the hiatus. Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, the National Football League and the National Basketball Association are still closed for the foreseeable future. Florida teams restricted under these leagues include the Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Lighting, Florida Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Heat and Orlando Magic.
Moskowitz’s memo also sparked a new hope for many seniors across Florida: the return of spring high school sports. According to the Herald Tribunes, the Florida High School Athletic Association considered reopening high school spring sports, which could spark an array of health concerns.
Despite the avid fans of wrestling and the economics of sport events, public health should remain a priority in these trying times. With over 1.36 million confirmed cases and 80,500 dead as of May 10, the coronavirus situation can not be taken lightly.
Multiple healthcare outlets have said that flattening the curve is necessary in order to stay safe and sports are no exception. By limiting exposure to the virus right now, we can help medical facilities and staff that are currently overwhelmed by the influx of cases.
Sporting events are nowhere near safe for the general public nor the players themselves. Entertainment and Sports Programming Network has reported that the NBA has determined the conditions for its return: approximately 15,000 tests administered to players and team personnel.
However, this is a vastly unrealistic goal. The White House has set an ambitious target of conducting at least 500,000 tests daily. Vox reported on May 1 that the U.S. has only been conducting 206,577 tests every day which is less than half of their expected output.
We are too behind. The White House’s incompetence is no excuse to start reopening crowded events. Because of the severe lack of tests, it is not safe to be out and about. Sports events especially attract a large crowd – Hard Rock Stadium of Miami has a seating capacity of 64,767. Twenty five percent of the stadium would be approximately 16,192 people and 50 percent would amount to 32,384 people.
Given the current shortage of medical tests, the best solution is to stay at home. Medical professionals take to the media daily to emphasize the importance of shelter in place orders. In an open letter from the leaders of the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association, a nationwide stay-at-home order was stressed: “Physical distancing and staying at home are the key to slowing the spread of 2019 novel coronavirus to give physicians, nurses and everyone on the front lines a fighting chance at having the equipment, time and resources necessary to take on this immense challenge.”
Stand with medical experts in this time of crisis. They certainly need your help to stay at home. Those who break stay-at-home orders detract physicians’ abilities to help find a cure or alleviate symptoms. As a community, we need to take the correct step to protect society as we know it.
Although this news may prove disheartening for many sports fans and student athletes alike, public health should always take precedence over personal liberty. Given that the rest of the nation haven’t reopened sports venues yet, Florida should recognize the importance of protective measures and follow suit.
