The coronavirus pandemic has forced major professional sports leagues across North America to push the pause button. But even if the NHL, CFL, NBA or MLS are given the green light, many fans have reservations about returning to arenas until a vaccine for the virus is available.
He admits being an avid hockey fan, but Dr. Anthony Chow doesn’t plan on attending any Vancouver Canucks games until a COVID-19 vaccine is developed.
“I don’t think I would be willing to risk attending a public event involving the masses,” said Chow, professor emeritus in the infectious diseases division at the University of British Columbia.
“I think a vaccine is going to come, I have no doubt about that. How soon is anybody’s guess.”
The coronavirus pandemic has forced major professional sports leagues across North America to push the pause button. Billions of dollars are at stake while hockey, baseball, football, basketball, soccer, tennis and golf all ponder the circumstances that will allow them to play again.
Even with provinces beginning to lift restrictions, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, has stressed “mass gatherings are not in any of our near futures,” when asked about the prospects of sports returning.
WATCH | A pandemic has shut down the Stanley Cup before:
While the hockey world waits to see if Covid-19 will keep the Stanley Cup in its case, Rob Pizzo looks back at the 1919 final that was halted by the Spanish flu. 2:54
But even if the NHL, CFL, NBA or MLS are given the green light, many fans have reservations about returning to arenas until a vaccine for the virus is available.
“I think if we got to the place where they said no social distancing was required [but] before there was a vacc