Speaking on Times Radio over the weekend, Kings College scientist Tim Spector said that it might be “years” before large weddings and big outdoor sports events can take place without restrictions. Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology said:
“I can’t see us suddenly having another Cheltenham Festival with no regulations again, I can’t see us having massive weddings with people coming from all over the world, I think for the next few years those days are gone.”
He went on to say that we should get comfortable with observing social-distancing, wearing masks and washing hands:
“I think we need to get used to that and that will allow us to do the things we really want to do more easily and more readily.”
Spector wasn’t pressed for details as to what type of restrictions on sports might be with us “for a few years.” Professional sports teams will want to know and soon. The lockdown has been devastating for teams that have had to lock out fans for most of the last twelve months. Television money has lessened the impact on top flight football and rugby clubs, but most lower league outfits can’t survive for much longer without matchday revenue. Even allowing clubs to sell a quarter or a third of capacity, to allow for social distancing, won’t be enough to prevent them going under.
Professional sport isn’t just about elite athletes on astronomical salaries. Most clubs employ several hundred people, with local businesses also heavily dependent on matchday income. Don’t forget tourism. Millions of visitors come from around the world to watch sport here. The problem is though, that none of the points raised here, are ever put to academics like Spector. Scientists can declare, as he did, that the virus and restrictions may be with us for years and they are never challenged.
The broadcasters should replace their presenters with nodding dogs. It’d be more honest and frankly, even the cheapest plastic nodding dog, purchased at Toddington Services on the M1, is more animated than your average UK prime time news anchor.
