One word that can perfectly sum up the emotions, severity and significant impact the Coronavirus continues to have on a global scale.
I'm not one of those "doomsday" people or joiners in feeding the panic, but it has been surreal to observe the crippling effect it has taken on the stock markets, communities enforcing mandatory quarantine, schools closures for weeks, inducing 90 minute waits at Costco to get in and at check out (heard from a friend) and the phrase "social distancing" already leading the charge as the phrase/hashtag of the year for 2020.
Ponderings
1) Am I only one that thinks the EPL waited to long to suspend the season?
What's bothersome to me is that the EPL took until today - Friday Morning - to suspend games league wide up to April 3rd and ceased with this ala carte (Man City v. Arsenal mid week and initial Brighton v. Arsenal) stiff upper lip mentality.
Sure the initial cases of positive test results are not that high right now in the United Kingdom, however there is a clear domino effect with the spreading of this disease: China - South Korea - Italy - USA - Australia - England and so on and so forth. I would have thought that the governing body would've taken the initiative after postponing Man City v. Arsenal and apply that to the rest of the league games immediately.
2) With leagues suspending play within UEFA, will that postpone Euro 2020?
My initial reaction is NO, yet when I stop to think about the players, fans and all the personnel involved with this event and the serious consideration that will be given to the overall health and well being for those listed above, there is a legitimate chance that it might be postponed. We will certainly find out soon rather than later because European football's governing body just invited the representatives from the 55 of its member associations to a round table discussion this Tuesday in order to discuss a response to the coronavirus outbreak and Euro 2020 is one of the main topics.
3) No LADS podcast #216 this week?
Another small joy taken away due to the Coronavirus.
Author: Philly Pete lives in Philadelphia, quite the clever nickname. Premier League fan of Tottenham, Southampton, and Aston Villa - random for sure and all for very different reasons. Have been to a Premier League in England, unbelievable experience and can't wait to go back.