Ten To Ponder.

There Are Some Positives.

1. While America is struggling to provide consistent Covid-19 information, other countries have turned the corner with managing the virus. This is very positive and gives me hope that the U.S.A. can do the same. Sooner better than later.

2. Major League Soccer’s (MLS) restart tournament started last Wednesday and though two teams were sent home due to a number of their players contracting the virus, the tournament has come off well so far. This is positive proof point that under the right circumstances sporting events can be held in a relatively safe environment. As for Atlanta United’s start to tournament, let’s look forward to their second match on Thursday morning.

3. The National Basketball Association (NBA) joined MLS at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports last week to begin training for their restart tournament. Again, very positive using the same model instituted by the MLS with their tournament being “in the bubble” using the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.

4. The same may not hold true for college football and let’s be clear: Saturday is for football. I think it would be very positive for conferences to move forward with conference games only. I will take a reduced number of games over no games, and I am perfectly fine with Georgia not having to play East Tennessee State and GA Tech not having to play Gardner-Webb. Let’s get it figured out.

5. Children going back to school. This can be positive in many ways for both the kids and their parents but is there enough data to help ensure the safety of children? I feel for parents who will make a very tough decision – and though I miss the days of my daughter being school-age, I am fortunate that I do not have to make that decision. I am not sure how schools can safely conduct classes in school rooms.

6. The hope of a vaccine to combat Covid-19. It is reported that over twenty-five bio-pharmaceutical companies are racing to engineer a vaccine. This is very positive with one woman from Seattle already testing the vaccine – with positive results to date. Fingers crossed for a rapid response to develop these vaccines.

7. I have tried to stay away from media coverage of the virus as I am appalled at the conflicting information and political posturing (have I told all of you what I think of politics?). With that said, a friend did send this article to me which I found, to a certain point, very interesting. https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/neuroscientist-covid-brain-is-a-real-thing-heres-how-to-deal-with-it.html

8. The cash flow and balance sheet of many NFL teams remain very healthy. Proof point: young Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs’ talented quarterback, signed a ten-year contract reportedly worth $500m. This is problematic to many of us but the reality is that even in these uncertain times the NFL remains a ratings-generating machine. JP: tell us how you feel about the NFL? 🙂

9. Positive vibes from the late General Norman Schwarzkopf, who was not known for his diplomacy and made his points very clear. Two of my favorites from the late General with this first one very relevant to me: “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.” As for my second favorite, I want to be clear that I have no ill will with the people of France: “Going to war without France is like going hunting without an accordion.” Oh my.

10. And last but not least: you have fifteen seconds to think of the one letter of the alphabet that is not used in any of the fifty states of the U.S.A. No cheating Richie P.

Adios, pay it forward, be safe, and have a Funday Sunday.