As I write this, I’m in a parking lot with no laws, and slightly on the claws. If you know, you know, and I don’t think I need to explain. On to less supercilious things, on my way to the parking lot that I’ve been occupying for the last 40 minutes, I listened to a podcast that spoke on the Coronavirus some 4 months ago. To hear their lexicon, and how different it is now is astounding. For words that were obscure have become ubiquitous in 120 days+.
Some of those words include:
Pandemic
COVID-19
Contact Tracing
Ventilator
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Shutdown
Et Cetera.
One word that we’ve lost sight of; SAFETY.
“For safety is not a gadget but a state of mind.” – Eleanor Everet
As United of a States that we are, we are more divisive and disparate than ever; there’s no uniform federal strategy; nationally, we’ve thought of wave in terms of the virus and not the beach. We’ve thought of phase through not wearing a mask and not as a fad.
That fad isn’t so; it’s here to stay – longer than anyone would care to admit.
There’s the whole other subject matter in officiating. I’ve counseled with some of my favorite Professional referees, on these state of the NBA and WNBA, and it’s hard to think that social acceptance will coincide with a player contracting with this vicious disease with number not spiking 100 fold by July 31st. How can I have faith in pro sports, any sports, when we know what we know, and we put aside our personal feelings of having Cabin Fever?
I’m not venting, but I’m just letting out a few words a minute. WE’VE BEEN THROUGH ALOT.
KOBE.
POP SMOKE.
AUSTRALIAN FIRES.
COVID.
BREONNA TAYLOR
AHMAUD AUBREY
GEORGE FLOYD
NO FEDERAL LEADERSHIP (LACK)
What’s next? We talk about controlling what you can control in officiating. This is no different. To all my Referees – make no mistake, we are all independent contractors, and we all have the right to risk what ever you want to risk. Just ask yourself if it’s worth it. If it is, then cool. Make the best decision for you. Regardless of everything I’ve aforementioned. Stay. Safe. BY ANY MEANS.
“Prepare and prevent, don’t repair and repent.” – Unknown Author
#UNTILTOMORROW.