03/13/2020
Hello everyone!
I'm very sorry to do this, but I am cancelling our soccer meetups for the immediate future. I've been doing some research and I just think the risks of potentially spreading the coronavirus are too high.
I appreciate that we are a relatively small group, and * trust me * this game gives all of us much needed joy, exercise, and camaraderie. But the reality is we have a pool of maybe 1000 people, hailing from all over the greater NYC area coming together multiple times a week in groups of 16-60 to exchange our blood sweat & tears (OK, maybe just sweat and some hi 5's).
As of yesterday there were 52 cases in NYC, but as you know testing has been abysmally limited, and they don't administer tests until folks are actively showing symptoms. You can go for many days infected and not showing any symptoms at all. So the total number of active cases is probably more in the hundreds or possibly even thousands. And when all of these cases start showing symptoms and needing medical care, our hospitals and doctors offices will be overrun; poor, homeless, elderly, underemployed, underinsured will be disproportionately hurt. . . I fear for the wellness of our city.
I strongly feel that anything we can do to curb the spread of the virus throughout our communities will have a significant impact.
I love you all. I'm hoping and praying that we get through this very soon, and can resume games as soon as possible.
In solidarity -
Mike B
