The Rescheduled 2020 Masters Dates Announced
Something that came to mind on reading the earlier posts about the Masters in November, and if patrons will be allowed on the grounds during the tournament - a different way of thinking about if it'll be safe for the usual number of people to be on the grounds during Masters week.
Imagine this scenario: You've managed to secure a ticket to attend the Masters this year. Given the current situation in the US (and around the world), what needs to change for you to think that it's safe for you to make the trip to Augusta to watch the tournament?
(This is something that can be applied to other events (and not just sports - for example, how will campaigning and events related to the US election in November be affected?), when you want to think about the potential for a return to normal life.)
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Pretty simple if you ask me. After a period of a month or so, with no further deaths from the virus, and reliable data from independent and reputable sources stating that there have been no new infections recorded by any state. Perhaps then I would feel more comfortable attending local events with other local people around.
The issue however is that the typical flu is more and more becoming a year-round virus. Are those who are symptomatic going to go to the doctor, or just 'tough it out' like many otherwise healthy individuals typically do without seeing a physician? And for those that do go to the doctor, are they going to be tested to make sure it's just normal flu and not another outbreak of COVID-19?
People travel all over the world to NYC, Philly, Chicago, LA, Orlando, etc. Obviously The Masters will be no different. Those who have secured badges to attend this year will be invited to attend November if it goes as planned. So with global travel restrictions being loosened, other areas of the world also have to be factored in. Staff workers standing at the front gate with a digital thermometer gun zapping everyone's body temp is neither practical nor medically reliable. This octopus of a virus has thousands of tentacles, which is why testing is the only reliable means of keeping people safe. On that same token, not every person on the planet is going to get tested. Around the circle we continue going.
I don't know -- I think if there's any sporting event that would be able to use thermometers on every patron, it's The Masters. They have a virtually unlimited budget for the tournament, they can call on an army of volunteers to work the event, the costs for adding another 50 or 100 lines for ticket holders to be herded through is a drop in the bucket. They could even have an offsite screening area where fans are given a sticker or additional badge with a picture ID which they would use to get through gates on premises. Since attendance is almost considered sacred, and wrongdoing is swiftly corrected or punished, they don't face behavioral issues that other tournaments and non-golf events face.