Editorial

Michigan Wolverines Pause All Athletics Because Of Coronavirus

Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports via Reuters

David Hookstead Sports And Entertainment Editor
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The Michigan Wolverines have smashed the pause button on all sports.

The Wolverines announced Saturday night that the state of Michigan is mandating the shutdown after positive tests of a coronavirus variant. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)

The statement read in part:

Under a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) decision made Saturday (Jan. 23), the University of Michigan Athletic Department will immediately pause athletic activities in all sports, including games, team and individual training sessions, until further notice and up to 14 days.

The mandate follows positive test results for the SAR-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant virus infections from several individuals linked to the U-M Athletic Department through its diligent testing regiment. The B.1.1.7 variant is thought to be approximately 50 percent more transmissible than the standard form of the virus, leading to faster spread of the virus, potentially increased numbers of cases, and additional hospitalizations and deaths.

Obviously, it’s very important to be safe, and everyone wants to be safe. That shouldn’t even need to be said, but it’s good to get that on the record.

Having said that, why does the entire athletic department need to shut down? There are thousands of athletes, staff members and coaches at Michigan.

We really need to stop all of them from competing? That sounds a bit extreme.

Also, what if something like this happens right before March Madness. Imagine a scenario where a tournament team is mandated by a state to completely shut down all athletic activities.

It’d be the nightmare scenario for everyone involved.

Let us know in the comments if you think states should be shutting down entire athletic departments.