Hilltop

IF this trend continues, It is going to be data like this that will eventually win people over. The problem is there are several states without mandates that have a very similar curve and others with mask mandates that are still increasing. I think the numbers we see over the next 30-60 days should be more telling as mask mandates are being more enforced in some areas.

I disagree. While a lot of the back and forth isn't productive, this a good place for people to vent, and share any new football or covid related information.

While I don't agree with everything contained in the link below, I do believe it was a well written explanation on why beliefs are so different right now. If our nation doesn't gain consistency, it will be very hard for the powers that be to allow sports. Right or wrong, we need consistent approaches to determine what is even working imo. https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/07/16/unmasking-truth-public-health-experts-coronavirus-and-raucous-marketplace-of-ideas-pub-82314

The kids I know would wear masks on the sidelines, no problem. They want to play!

That's your opinion. Name these countries that have it "under control". We are at the mercy of all the different countries media and what they decide to feed us. Any narrative can be adjusted to look positive or negative to feed differing agendas. I agree, we have a problem here. Looking at recent local data, we NEED to improve. I'm not arguing that in any way. I do however take issue with the doom and gloom people that just want to spend their time slandering our country and focusing on what could have been done months ago based on data that was questionable at best.

That's your take. I'm saying many cases were inaccurately reported, including many who died. Many cases also continue to go unreported. The intention of my post was to highlight that earlier data was very flawed in all directions. Recent data appears to be much more accurate and that is the data that should be used for decision making whether that is for football, mandates, or whatever. It just gets old seeing graphs comparing us to whoever based on data that basically every expert in the world agrees is at minimum flawed. I believe we should be focused on active positives, and active hospitalization rates of confirmed positives to make decisions.

A lot of our reported cases fall under examples like this. I don't believe numbers are remotely close to accurate. "The doctor said I believe you are COVID positive, but you are not 65 and do not have underlying conditions, so we are not able to test you," https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-coronavirus-patient-hit-with-large-hospital-bill-due-to-coding-issue/2295686/ I think current confirmed positives should be the only thing the NCAA should focus on. We are climbing at a concerning rate but we absolutely have time to turn this around in time to have football.

The 20% capacity at Illinois is part of Phase 4 from the state, not a university level decision. https://www.dph.illinois.gov/restore/restore-faqs

News outlets spin things how they want. He is the original quote that they ran with - "This week, health officials have traced some of the 36 Lake Zurich High School students who recently tested positive for COVID-19 to three summer athletic camps."https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/above-average-daily-covid-19-increase-in-county-no-outbreaks-associated-with-sports/article_a7a98521-2b14-5315-9670-a9112312ceb1.html Stories like that turn into rumors that get exaggerated to the point of causing more fear- 65 and one dead... SMH. There is just so little responsible reporting done these days. I don't believe in censorship but I do think media outlets should be held accountable. Stories like this are driving the decisions on whether we will have football or not.

TV Networks/Schools involved in current contracts would have to be on board. I would love to see it but I still think we are several years away.

I highly doubt the news wouldn't have something on this if it were true- especially in Illinois. All media outlets are searching high and low for stories and this would have made national headlines.

I would agree with this. On a much smaller scale we went through this several months ago with our youth baseball league. Out of 20+ towns, we had 4 others agree to play. The remainder just didn't want to deal with all the regulations or were fearful of the liability/potential of someone catching it. For what it's worth, those towns that participated played an almost full season worth of games over 4 weeks without issue. We finished last night.

That was a very good read and makes a lot of sense. Going further, I believe that college sports impacts on society are far reaching. I would even say that they have a positive effect on health for our greater population. Happy people are healthier. https://www.livescience.com/42712-happier-people-healthier-aging.html#:~:text=Being healthy can make a,daily activities as they age. The stresses involved with Covid for our general population sure don't help societies overall health and are likely contributing to the death rate increases in 2020.

Good points funhusker. Time will tell I guess but have to like the trend.

If positive cases are continuing to reach record highs, why is the death rate continuing to drop? Something just doesn't line up. Data like this makes me very optimistic about a season- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/covidview/07102020/nchs-mortality-report.html If this trend continues, what would the justification be for cancelling?

Ba humbug. I'm staying positive until a decision is made.

And the conspiracy crowd says... Regardless of your stance, the mid West is living like nothing is happening. And seems to be doing ok. Why?

Knapp, that was pretty offensive to those stuck in wheelchairs. My wife spent a long time in one and it was a heck of a lot bigger deal than wearing a mask. We all get your point though...You feel very strongly about it and are frustrated that everyone isn't listening. Vegas has progressed to betting on actual attendance. I like the odds still that we at least play some form of a season. https://www.si.com/college/bostoncollege/football/vegas-odds-college-football-attendance-covid19-2020-season

It is a hot take. Covid-19 will be solved by herd immunity. How we reach that herd immunity remains to be seen. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/herd-immunity-and-coronavirus/art-20486808 I won't wear a mask forever and neither will most of the free world. Equating that to a handicap is pretty rude to those that are in that position by the way. It would be the end of the world as we know it on this forum - pretty hard to play a sport or do anything very physical with your airway blocked. For what it's worth, I'm in no way against a person wearing a mask temporarily when there is sound medical reasoning behind it.

Are you suggesting that herd immunity isn't the solution? Your a proponent of wearing a mask to slow the spread... forever? Or until a vaccine helps the world's population reach herd immunity?

This is a hot take smh. The fact that 5% of the study group had antibodies suggests that herd immunity is absolutely achievable - they virus would just need to be more widespread or a vaccine would be needed to help the population create antibodies before it could happen.

I would agree and also people's immune systems are a bit stronger during the warm months. I believe that's why death rates aren't climbing as fast as case numbers.

Do you know any college athletes? I do personally know several and can say that they want to play. I know this isn't a representation of all student athletes, but based on my experiences I believe that the majority do want to play.

While I don't agree with many on this thread, I do offer a genuine thank you to guys like Guy who make very intelligent arguments without demeaning anyone else. Some of us could take a lesson, including myself.

I'm friends with a few non athlete Nebraska students who have recently tested positive for it. One had pink eye and no symptoms- apparently that is now a symptom? Another had a mild head ache for a couple days and then nothing. The third was tested out of caution and has had zero symptoms. According to their doctors, this is the norm with kids their age. It just doesn't have much impact on that age class. If it equates to mild to no symptoms for college age athletes, why can't they play a game? As SF said, they have just as good, if not a better, chance of catching this if they don't play.