How COVID-19 is affecting sports

Graphic by Kylee Weber

The current global pandemic, caused by COVID-19, has had a number of negative effects on the world, with the cancellation and delay of sports being one of them. Since the start of the outbreak, COVID-19 has seemed to spread faster and faster, causing the world of sports to constantly make changes and adjust to these unfamiliar circumstances. 

To help protect the safety of all athletes and fans worldwide, many sports leagues and teams have either postponed or completely canceled their seasons, with the intent to play again when the situation has changed enough to allow them to return to competition in a safe manner. 

While each major sports league has gone about handling the virus in their own way, each one still has the same main goal: make sure their athletes are safe. For example, the NBA is currently allowing teams to carry on with this year's playoffs inside a “bubble,” which basically means every game is played at the same location to help prevent the need for travel, which would potentially lead to more coronavirus cases. 

Along with the bubble, players are also screened before each game, as are every member of the training staff. It is also important to note that fans are not allowed to attend these playoff games, as having fans would only increase the risk of spreading the disease. 

Many college sports programs are also following strict guidelines to help prevent the spread of the disease as well, including wearing masks at practices and changing on the bus instead of the locker room. Some are even moving their season to the spring. Ivy League schools made headlines a few weeks ago, after they announced they would completely shut down their fall sports programs due to COVID-19. 

It is interesting to see how the rest of the world of sports is going to handle this pandemic, but one thing's for sure, they will do everything they can to ensure the safety of each player, and hopefully by following all of these guidelines, everyone can return to the sport they love.