Arsenal announced that Mikel Arteta tested positive for Covid-19. In the ultimate kicker, it would appear he caught it from the top dog at Olympiacos after our exit from the Europa. What a stinger.
He’ll be fine, but this doesn’t bode well for the Premier League season. I hear there are quite a few other cases that will be announced in due course. The league will certainly be suspended, but it could go further, there is a belief in the game this could be it for the season.
I don’t even want to joke about the ramifications, though it is tempting.
Seems like most of the advice from around the world is that social distancing is the best way to slow the spread of the virus (and washing your hands, you animals). That advice doesn’t leave much room for interpretation, a gathering of hundreds of thousands of fans at sporting events would be the worst thing for it at the minute.
March Madness has been cancelled, along with the opening race of F1, the NBA, La Liga, Serie A, SXSW and a whole bunch of other social gatherings. The Premier League will have to follow suit and it’s hard to argue against it.
I thought this thread summed up the risk nicely– and why the ‘but I won’t die’ argument is very shitty.
The Italian College of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care just published the most extraordinary medical document I’ve ever seen.
To help people from Germany to America understand what we’re about to face, I am publishing translated extracts here.
[Thread.]
— Yascha Mounk (@Yascha_Mounk) March 11, 2020
It’s a shitter for the fans, but not as terrible as the thought of infecting your grandma because you grabbed beers with an infected pal at a local before the game. I don’t think anyone wants to be responsible for hospitals adopting wartime decision-making models for older people, no football game is that important.
Just a short post today, I don’t have much to add to this conversation, I’ll leave that for the experts.
All I will say is stay safe, wash your fucking hands, and get that invincible DVD in the player… it’s going to be a long couple of months.
Good luck to all backroom people at Arsenal that have been sharing his chapstick. Get well soon, Mikel!
See the rest of you in the comments x
Ernest, sending big love from all at Le Grove, I hope you and your wife are ok!
CC –
My water balloon filled with 90,000 L of kerosene thrown against a steel door isn’t a solid example? Damn.
Ernest
Hope you and your better half recover quickly!
Guys, let’s leave the QAnon conspiracy theories on Reddit.
Take care, Ernest. If it makes you feel better. You and Mrs Reed are in good company, with Tets and probably a few of our players…
Thank you all, I will be back cause i have to, someone’s got to keep Pierre honest!
There’s a company / engineering newsletter than scientifically takes on all of the conspiracy claims etc about 9-11 and thoroughly debunks them.
It’s funny to watch them destroy the nutjobs who then reappear a few weeks later with a slightly altered claim that is destroyed as well.
Jamie..I’m unlikely to obtain your test compoñents…so let’s just say 18 untrained pilots trained on a Cessna somehow managed to hit bullseye twice after efficiently and very cleverly took control manually . Then the plane hit the building and somehow no debris fell off the plane as it sliced through. Then as you say the floors are weakened and suddenly the whole stack comes down in freefall (like a demolition). Repeat and then again…
We had a good run there, Pete. What are we going to do without football? Where’s the content going to come from? These are the real issues.
Pedro
So now you have no football to write about but still have loyal readers some of whom are stuck in isolation what on Earth are you going to keep us all entertained with?
Dont worry about me Marc, I have my toilet bowl to keep me company! 🙂
Ernest
I suppose you’ve got to take your victories where you can!
Quite mad the UK is keeping schools open still. Just asking for problems.
They’ve shut everything down here in Norway basically.
The important thing is to remember there are more important things than football.
Like Netflix, internet porn, weed. Not in that order.
Too soon?
But seriously, here’s hoping Arsenal fans and Mikel as well as everyone else recovers from Coronavirus with as few symptoms as possible. And also that Liverpool doesn’t win the title. In that order.
Just think about the odds of this The UK gov is aware of only 700 or so cases as of today. That would be only around 0.0001% of the uk population Now I’m not sure how many people frequent this blog, Pedro would know best on that. But if we imagine there are 40 regular posters in the comments and in the last two days we have Ernest catching it along with his wife and batistuta’s family member as well. You’d have a higher likelihood of winning the lottery than having two different people directly impacted on this blog by… Read more »
Marc, I recently had a Roomba bought for me. I can write a review of it?
Jamie, there will always be new lines of vegan products to talk about, footballers will continue to get new hair styles, and we can always pay hommage to the Dear Leader as he battles the virus.
I am very interested to unpick how they deal with this.
How long before they cancel the season? What happens to Europe next year?
It’s mad.
Ernest Reed
Live long and prosper, hope you all make a 100% recovery!
Pedro
I take a lot of enjoyment in reading what some of write on this blog. As crazy as it can get at times, its actually quite funny and entertaining.
I just feel bad for Pedro now because he’s got to try to come up with something now to keep things going. Something tells me though, this isnt going to be a problem for him, he’s got a lot of entertaining thoughts on a lot of subjects.
Take care all, I’m going back to bed after checking in on my partner in crime.
Pedro
There is talk of the Euros being postponed for a year, this COVID19 is not going anywhere anytime soon it would appear!
we talk about them JET FUEL CANT MELT STEEL BEAMS
and other worldly issues
a current issue board with that sportsy sauce
Arteta’s Hair, yeah, very worrying.
Even when it’s gone, people are going to worry about going outside.
Have my doubts the league will start again any time soon.
A lot of boomers will be taken out though at the same time, Unai. They are the least productive members of society who consume the most resources at the same time, so economically I imagine it will balance out pretty quickly. In the longer term the planet really could thrive economically.
Pedro
That’s some life you lead there mate! Maybe a few pieces on interior design would add a new dimension to the blog.
What will all the knuckle dragging louts who watch football do now?
Probably hang around local towns harassing oriental people.
Sink estate scum.
Hackney
On a serious note my weekend plans are completely fucked. Saturday afternoon pub to watch the Arsenal match on a hooky feed, Sunday the Grand Prix and then the Spud ManU match.
All tied in with some cooking.
Marc
We’re concerned here too. I try to avoid people anyway but now I’m on stratospheric high alert.
Wash your hands etc.
Avoid shopping malls.
Trains.
You’ll be fine.
I think Pedro should write a blog on my amazing hair!
‘Not if you’re an atheist. Do spare the merciful lord stuff, it doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.’ CC, (1) Sometimes in the early 90s, there was a young man in my town, his father was a well known policeman. The young man was a madman. The family of this young man tried all they could medically to cure his madness, all to nought. The madness became so bad that this young man started living at the cemetery(local authorities were not alert to preventing such at the time),he was really done. Around this period, a pastor had just been posted to… Read more »
Gentlebris
Terrific, more stories. As I said, do spare the preaching.
*scrutinize
Hackney
I’m in a be cautious but not overly worried about me mode.
Ultimately I get the feeling that most of us are going to end up getting this at some stage – get it, get through it and move on. Obviously there are some who are in a high risk category who need to be very careful and we need to make sure the NHS resources are targeted at these areas.
Most importantly current evidence is pointing to kids not being badly affected.
bris
I regularly get a pain in my backside – would your guy pray for my arse?
“you will find Him on His Glorious Holy Throne.”
So that’s where all the toilet roll has gone!
Just waiting for the announcement that the prem has been cancelled for this season & the reaction from the scousers .Will be Hilarious.30 f** ng year wait and now this.The bantz will be unbelievable.coulnt happen to a “ nicer class” of supporters…well maybe Manure.lol!
Uwot
I get the feeling there will be massive media pressure to award the title to them anyway. If that starts to look likely we’re going to need fans of all the clubs to band together to stop it.
EPL will resume 4 April. Only one game to make up plus FA Cup game.
Nelson
I wouldn’t bet on it – there’s a good chance it’ll be pushed back further.
Life becomes so boring without football. Will they change the Summer TW?
‘Terrific, more stories. As I said, do spare the preaching.’ CC, But that’s the most important thing i do….. preaching! Anyway, bless you my brother. And meanwhile, Have you heard about the Yahoo+ boys? They are a society in Nigeria. They are a society of frustrated internet fraudsters. Frustrated because almost every community all around the world had been warned about them and they couldn’t scam people again as a result of this. So they went spiritual. They only need to get a rich guy’s contact. They would order him spiritually to send all his money to them. But they… Read more »
Fuck me
I wonder if we could get a refund from SkySports.
People are unlikely to pay full price for repeat games and live event of solitary events.
Takecare Ernest. Both of you will be alright soon.
@Bati
Sorry on your loss. Let him RIP
‘I regularly get a pain in my backside – would your guy pray for my arse?’ Marc, If in a room, there are 10 people, and there is an object in the room that you are sure is black in colour, but the 9 other people in the room are also sure the object is red in colour. What do you do if you are foolish? You keep on trusting your own eyes that the object is black. What do you do if you are wise? You begin to weigh the probability of the 9 other people having problems with… Read more »
Jeez, Gentlebris preaching, 9/11 conspiracy theories, what next? Red predicting the end of the world? Bamford seeing little green men? CG talking sense?
Never understood why people need to mock someones beliefs to prove God doesnt exist. Just projecting their insecurity
Guys, keep it to football. No conpsiracy theories or god chats (unless it’s Dennis).
Going forward the government should build virus medical centers which specializes in treating viral diseases.
This would separate people with flu etc from those in regular hospitals .
This would enable better control of regular winter outbreaks , which happen almost every winter.
A simple solution but unfortunately heads are in the sand.
Ernest
Sad to hear about you and the wife. Keep your chin up mate
How many miles of fuse and how many pounds of mesquite are required to BBQ a 110 sausages? Asking for friend.
Think you’re right about that Marc.The meejah luvvies will go into meltdown over the injustice of it all.paricularly as it is such a big theme with that city.however,technically “ citeh” can still catch them however improbable that might be & while that improbability exists they cannot just hand it over to their darlings.Arsenal had the misfortune of world war 2 interrupting a decade of title success ….so shit happens?
Well played, Pete. Well played.
10 pound Jamie, I already checked
John Travolta went to the doctor with suspected Coronavirus.
The doctor said not to worry it’s only Saturday night fever and your be staying alive.
About 20 pounds of mesquite should do it. Applewood works just as well.
10 won’t do all 110 sausages..
Oh Marc,just to prove a point.youve already got that carrot headed c** t up at Celtic whinging that they deserve the title of the league is cancelled.””death by a thousand cuts” he whinges.Another bunch of whiny b’stards….
This weekend is going to be so depresssing. No football to look forward to. Just Netflix documentaries for me.
May go out and get a burger.
Getting into a fight on the internet about mesquite levels for BBQ is the next level Wenger was trying to find.
Don’t worry, Pete. There’s a next level after this one.
Un –
It’s it strange having a screen so close to your eyes?
Pedro
Do you have any contacts with other bloggers – both Arsenal and other teams?
I am monitoring confirmed cases in UK
Mar 11………………460
Mar 12……………..590
Mar 13……………..798
Not a good trend.
Un
Did you not see Dara O’Brien’s sketch on why VAR porn hasn’t caught on?
Very funny.
Un
It was on last week – check it out I guarantee you won’t be using your VAR for porn anymore!
Nelson – did you see doctors at Sunnybrook hospital and McMaster discovered something important with the virus that will help develop vaccine? They took away hockey and now we got motivated Canadian scientists trying to find cure quick to bring the NHL back.
Wenker-wangerMarch 13, 2020 12:45:22
Jamie..tower blocks have burnt for 24 hours and get this were renovated….
I could go on…highest sensitivity airspace in the world breached 4 times..not a fighter plane anywhere in sight. Pilots trained on simulators .top pilots in the us tried to hit the buildings and failed 9/10 times on a simulator
Name one tower block 1/4 of a mile high, reliant on a steel frame and core that has withstood a huge impact and explosion assisted by literally tons of accelerant, let alone for 24 hours.
Ernest Reed,
Good luck and stay strong.
Hope you and your wife get well soon.
Marc, I don’t, I’m a pariah.
Yesterday I was in a big shopping center. There was no toilet paper in the washroom. Can’t believe people are so desperate.
Pedro
We might need to get the various supporters groups and other fan representatives to get ready to petition the PL to make sure the league title isn’t awarded to the Scouser’s just because it’ll make Jamie Carragher happy.
Sid
Pipe down with your insecurities bollocks, you’ve played your hand with your comments about races and the like you mug.
jwl
Hockey is a religion in Canada. But my team is already out of the playoff for a few weeks already. After that, your interest in the team dropped a lot.
Take it easy Ernest.
Are you in Ottawa, Nelson? I am in Guelph and people are panic buying here and there been one confirmed case in the county three weeks ago, it is nuts.
Also read story that some American hospitals were having to lock down alcohol wipes, toilet paper and a few other things because people were driving to hospital, grabbing handful of supplies, and then back out to their cars and driving off.
@Ernest Reed –
Thank you very much for your reply, it was probably the most informative piece I have read on Covid-19 since the outbreak. If you can privide updates on your condition would be most welcome.
Speedy recovery to you and your wife.
Very real possibility we will be using next season to finish this season.
Personally think its unlikely we will be ready for football or any other large gathering until late this year, possibly next.
Initially I thought all this was paper hype but the speed of spread and conditions its able to spread in have me convinced were in this for the long haul.
With only 150,000 or so cases so far, this is only just getting started.
Stay safe everyone –
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
Does wearing a surgical mask when you move around reduce the risk of Getting the risk of COVID 19?
“Does wearing a surgical mask when you move around reduce the risk of Getting the risk of COVID 19?”
No it needs to be a n95 respirator.
Habs, it probably protects others if your already infected but unlikely to stop you getting infected.
Thanks Jim lahey.
Do you also know the proximity to an infected person that puts you at risk? How far should I be to people not to catch the virus through respiratory droplets?
Ernest
Wishing you and and your wife a speedy recovery.
And thanks for the first hand information.
Habesha it can make a small difference. The n95 respirators are better though still can’t provide total protection. You can be infected through your eyes as well as nose and mouth, so this is one time when wearing glasses is a minor bonus too 2m is the supposed end of the ‘danger proximity’, tho if someone is 2m away and coughs at you then I doubt that would be sufficient to remove the risk properly And 4 seconds is the supposed amount of time you’d need to spend within a meter or so of someone (assuming no coughing and they… Read more »
Arteta already flexing out corona. Sauce.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51878050
‘Believing in one religion or another doesn’t make you right mate. If the 9 other people in the room believe in things like the immaculate conception or so many virgins waiting for you in heaven after killing someone then I’d hazard that the 1 person who sees the black object may be using his senses rather than belief system.’ Un, If you have lived in West Africa for a whole year, and you see with your own eyes how bullets could be made to bounce off peoples’ body, and know that people could actually disappear from in front of you… Read more »
Habesha. Best is to isolate and stay away.
There is a point where this can become paranoia, but that is how the situation is going to be it seems. The virus also stays for quite some time on steel, plastic etc. by which we are surrounded. So people affected are not required to be present as such for transmission.
A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.
Moliere
Im telling you this for free!
Jwl
My team is slightly better than the Senators. I am from Montreal. 🙂
Gentle’s on the good shit, either that or he’s batshit crazy!
China1, Unai and AJ. Thanks for the info.
Some good news amongst the gloom and doom.
MA is already feeling better.
And let’s hope Earnest and Mrs. Earnest feel better too soon as well.
Remember Le Grovers – consume lots of water and gargling too…..Get this poison out of your throat and your lungs and wash it down into the lower reaches of the belly
Still time though for the club- to get our Wenger back as caretaker, mind.
What a fillip to the Arsenal supporters all around the world to see his reassuring presence at the club during these troubled times.
The Public Health Report page 50 shows that the mortality rate for flu per year since 2013 is 25,000 people over the age of 60 highest to lowest year of 9,000.
So far ten people have died all over 60 mainly 80 years old plus with an existing problem.
Vaccination for flu are at 72% uptake for people over 60 and still that many die from it.
It’s about time for the media to report the truth and stop this fear mongering to sell their papers
Hahahaha CG,
“Still time though for the club- to get our Wenger back as caretaker, mind. What a fillip to the Arsenal supporters all around the world to see his reassuring presence at the club during these troubled times.”
Trying to cheer everyone in a stressful time like this?
‘As opposed to you, who believes in “God” because a bunch of white missionaries, slave traders and imperialists forced the concept down your throat.’
You don’t even know if I’m the white missionary.
Also you must study a bit of history.
What the missionaries took far and wide was Christianity, not the Concept of God.
For thousands of years; Africans, for example, have always believed in God. They didn’t know Jesus Christ. But they have always believed in one God that lives in heaven Who is higher than other ‘gods’.
‘Gentle’s on the good shit, either that or he’s batshit crazy!’
None of that Bob, just feel that this is a right time to talk about God.
It could warm good hearts, you know.
‘MA is already feeling better.’
Mikel is a soldier!
Beautiful news.
Gentlebris
Which god?
Gentlebris
You are a very superstitious dude. The next time you have a life threatening emergency…call your pastor.
Jesu Kristi, stop the madness.
Many of those “men of god” travel,abroad to the best hospitals in the world [secretly] then come back home to preach about “miracles”