The Golden State Warriors became the first NBA team to ban fans from attending home games due to the coronavirus outbreak.
For most people, the novel coronavirus (or Covid-19) causes only mild symptoms such as cough, headache, sore throat and low-grade fever.
The virus can cause serious illness among the elderly population, particularly those with existing health problems such as heart and respiratory problems or diabetes.
Also at risk are smokers (cigarettes, weed) or young people who vape. The reason is smoking or vaping damages the lining of the lungs, causing inefficient exchange of oxygen and C02. The lungs also express ACE2 which the virus uses to enter human cells.
So far, all of the deaths linked to the virus are elderly and chronically ill. The average age is 80.
The Warriors’ ban will remain in place for the foreseeable future “due to escalating concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.”
A sign posted at the entrance to Chase Center reads:
“Do not enter if in the last two (2) weeks you have:
Experienced fever, tiredness, dry cough, aches & pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, or diarrhea; or
Travelled to any location subject to Level 1, 2, or 3 travel health notice by the CDC (such as Iran, China, Italy, South Korea, Japan, or Hong Kong).
The NCAA defended its decision to proceed with March Madness men’s tournament games despite Ohio Governor Mike DeWine warning fans not to attend.
The March Madness men’s basketball tournament generates over $1 billion in revenue for the NCAA. And while the NCAA is not banning fans from attending the games, local governments are stepping up efforts to avoid contamination.
