Tramping illegal

"But everything I have read — and this mainly pertains to American sports — is using a model of complete isolation and frequently testing everyone within that expanded "bubble"." That worked well for the UFC didnt it

@waynowski, yes tongue in cheek :) Re: your link. No doubt about it. As ‘outdoor people’ we recognise the need to be IN nature is a perfectly natural part of being human. Not being in nature is unhealthy and a social crime imo. Florence Williams wrote a book called the “3 Day Effect” which highlighted the profound benefits of being out in nature for just a few days. I couldn’t care less about sports, as they are largely ego driven and nothing more than Colosseum events to entertain the masses. They generate adrenaline in spectators which is profoundly unhealthy. Being able to put a pack on your back and just go is a gift! As everybody has no doubt observed over the last few months, and especially weeks, the authorities are playing catch up against so many unknowns and doing a mostly admirable job in very difficult times. History will judge who got it right. The potential for a 2nd wave of infection is very real, which may leave those countries who smugly think they've eliminated Covid19 doing it all again. The back country is the least of their worries, especially coming into winter. I do worry that this whole pandemic thing will end up being another tool to advance Socialism and kerb personal freedom.

Weirdly having seen the amount of one-upmanship happening over Covid-19, especially between NZ and Australia, I've found myself being the most convinced I've ever been that we desperately need international sport. Then everyone with a need to act patriotically smug against others, for no reason except feeling better about themselves, can go back to doing it in a way that's less consequential.

@geeves re UFC I don't know, did it? It is not a sport I follow. I would presume it's event was held in North America or Europe which are in general both far behind us/Australia in progression of containing Covid-19. Would seem like a poor decision just on that basis to be organising events. Certainly none of the major North American sports I follow have any set dates for return.

No spectators. https://www.eastbaytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ufc-1.jpg The belt-holding Champion, Nurmagomedov, was originally scheduled to fight Ferguson in the main event, but withdrew due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions in his native Russia. They had to use a substitute fighter, Gaethje. Fersuson lost the fight. Said he hadn't prepared for the different style of his opponent. Gaethje took off the interim UFC lightweight title belt as soon as UFC president Dana White placed it around his waist. “I’ll wait for the real one,” Gaethje said. A bout between Brazil’s Ronaldo Souza and New York’s Uriah Hall was called off when Souza and two of his cornermen tested positive for COVID-19. NASCAR returns at Darlington Raceway, May 17th. https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2020/05/10/ufc-returns-with-championship-bouts-in-near-empty-arena/

UFC used to be called mixed martial arts or cage fighting. Its brutal.Also its had more than its fair share of doping scandals. I dont watch a lot of sport and I dont watch any fighting sports. A positive covid test by any player right before the start should have been such a large warning bell.

Darlington Raceway has a 47,000 seat capacity. No spectators for the May 17-20th events, tho they are selling for Sept 4th-6th. Meanwhile, clockwatching resumes in NZ ....

I am aware what UFC is and have watched it for years when I have come across it — I just do not avidly follow it so can not tell you when events were scheduled to be held or have been rescheduled for. They obviously have fighters from all over the world so coordinating is a lot more challenging than the proposed internal NZ rugby competition or the NRL now being held entirely in Australia. Each country obviously has it's own rules with regard to distancing and is at a different stage in their progression of reducing the spread. It is really apples and oranges in comparison. There are obviously lessons that can be learned by rugby and league here and from any other events which are held (sporting or otherwise). I personally am not too worried if and when any of these sports restart as long as they have clear protocols in place. I enjoy watching league in particular but have also not found my world ending just because it is not on — unlike many others when their favoured pastimes have been taken away.

If it's of interest, one of the clearest explanations I've so-far seen on what's known about Covid-19 and how it's thought to spread is here: https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them The first part is commenting on the dread of watching how the USA is trying to open up, but after that she gets into understanding what to watch out for with respect to the most risky places and behaviours to avoid, and why. She covers all sorts of scenarios like the risk differences between sneezing, coughing and breathing, indoor and outdoor, and puts lots of helpful things in perspective. It's not official advice and it's really aimed at helping people who are being forced to go back to work in an environment where Covid-19 is known to be present, but having read it I'm more comfortable about understanding risks in NZ of accidentally being near someone for a short time, and so on.

Level 2 it is, as of Thursday.