Hi everyone, I am a viral epidemiologist. Just as a reminder the goal here is not necessarily to change the number of people who will get the virus over the next year. Even in a best case scenario with a lot of social distancing, this virus is now likely at a critical density where a large portion of the population will get it.
All we need to do is 'flatten the curve' ie we need to slow the spread of this with every mechanism necessary. If we get a flood of patients (at least 10% of Covid cases in Italy are requiring respiratory support). The US healthcare system cannot handle a huge rush of patients. The disease is doubling every 2-6 days in Europe and the US. If the disease can be spread over a long period of time hopefully the lethality rate will be 0.2-0.5%. If we go the way Iran and Italy are currently going the lethality rate may be closer to 5%. That is a lot of parents/grandparents who are going to die, not to mention people who are at all immunocompromised.
Every large group gathering should be cancelled. Even having teams travel (including players, coaches, trainers) is a huge social risk. There is no need to panic but everyone should start socially distancing.
Rojo and Wejo, your comments are in no way helping the situation. Trust me public health officials understand the sacrifice of young athletes, but there is a greater good that is necessary but will make life more inconvenient for the next couple of months.