Statement from Coach Harbaugh
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDtxtyiJ02f/?igshid=pxks68b399aj
giving his reasons for wanting football
August 10th, 2020 at 12:32 PM ^
I absolutely love it and support it. He actually put Facts over Fear. Many on this board should be ashamed of their fear mongering and shaming behaviors.
August 10th, 2020 at 12:38 PM ^
He has facts, but he also doesn't take into account that in a matter of weeks there will be 30k more students on campus who will make maintaining those Covid numbers much more difficult
August 10th, 2020 at 12:41 PM ^
I think he does because he emphasizes the discipline required to maintain a clean program from a virus standpoint just like they do with compliance. Anything is doable with discipline. Achievers know this. Non-achievers always find excuses why something can't be done.
August 10th, 2020 at 12:47 PM ^
"Non-achievers always find excuses why something can't be done"
Or maybe people just use logic to realize that things aren't possible...
The only people in Ann Arbor right now are residents, athletes, and the few students who stayed on campus. Social distancing and preventing spread becomes infinitely more difficult when you shove 30,000 more students in downtown Ann Arbor
August 10th, 2020 at 12:52 PM ^
" Anything is doable with discipline. Achievers know this. Non-achievers always find excuses why something can't be done. "
100% this.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:02 PM ^
Stop watching the Hallmark channel and join reality.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:18 PM ^
But Christmas in July movie month was so dreamy! So says my better half....
August 10th, 2020 at 1:07 PM ^
Just because an inspirational quote exists doesn't mean it's true or should be applied to real life
August 10th, 2020 at 1:47 PM ^
He clearly got Covid and "willed it away with the heart of a champion." All of those people that died had no willpower.
/s in case
August 10th, 2020 at 1:58 PM ^
Like wearing masks and social distancing??
August 10th, 2020 at 1:41 PM ^
The problem with this thinking is that there is no NBA-like bubble. Soon there will be thousands of students from all over the country, many who haven’t been social distancing, and will continue to not social distance. Even if UM does everything right, they still have to meet teams from other school, who are also in the same situation.
I think the point you’re missing is that not playing is discipline in its own right.
August 10th, 2020 at 2:14 PM ^
I can’t imagine saying something like this in any possible universe. What a ridiculous and simple-minded declaration. Of course it’s good to work hard and bad to justify failure with thin excuses, but to separate the world between “achievers” and “non achievers” is Dwight Schrute territory.
August 10th, 2020 at 12:56 PM ^
That's why I was hoping they would move the season back several weeks to see how they are able to manage before making a decision. If the students are going to be there anyways, might as well give it more time. Even if it results in the season still being cancelled there would be a population getting tested frequently making it easier to trace.
Or said screw it, they aren't college athletes and put them in a bubble which seems damn near impossible with the size of a football team.
August 10th, 2020 at 12:57 PM ^
Nobody knows what’ll happen when students come back. Now players will be partying on weekends with the general student population, not getting tested twice a week, etc. But the NCAA will be free of liability, which is what they care about, not player wellbeing.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:45 PM ^
"Nobody knows what’ll happen when students come back"
But we can all make a very reasonable assumption of what will happen
August 10th, 2020 at 12:57 PM ^
Yes there are high risks that some many of those students will test positive: meaning 70% with zero symptoms, 25-30% with very mild symptoms. Possibly 1% might--might, require hospitalization. More will be sick with the flu--by far, than Covid. The death risk will be higher for them getting hit by a car on and off campus. These are all facts, but these facts don't matter one single bit, because we have successfully moralized Covid so that anyone on Harbaugh's side is accused of not caring about death, the most bad faith of all bad faith arguments. Meanwhile these same people quite literally have no facts on their side, none. No facts about risk to students, no facts about risk to teachers and staff, who can in fact successfully distance, which has been proven. No facts about the virus other than the lame "we don't know about the long term effects yet" argument--actually yes we do, all infectious diseases can have long term effects on people who get a serious version--nothing unusual whatsoever about Covid. No facts at all expect either fear, which is not backed by fact, or bad faith morality arguments.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:06 PM ^
Wait, do you actually believe that the only people who will contract the virus as a result of college football are the players?
August 10th, 2020 at 6:22 PM ^
Right--the argument that somehow we just can't figure out a way to keep at risk people away from those not at risk. That is absurd. It's being done literally everywhere. It's being done in the English premier league, in Britain where the virus stats are worse per capita than the US. It's being done all over the world. It can be done, quite easily in particular with college athletes on a campus with few adults around. FFS people. Just think for a second.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:54 PM ^
okay... what about the player's parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers, coaches, co-workers/classmates and what about their parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and what about the friends and extended family of said parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and so on and so on..
I mean it's only killed 160,000 Americans in 6 months, no big deal right? I'm sure you have the mental capacity to understand how novel viruses spread, but hopefully you fully understand the stark reality of what you are suggesting represents.
August 10th, 2020 at 6:17 PM ^
We have 1-real world experience from countries to numerous to list that schools can open--and yes, contrary to what you've read, many of those countries have similar deaths per capita to the US, or greater. 2- we have the conclusions of several countries Health departments that schools can safely open. 3- We have at least 3 studies, the most recent from South Korea literally today, that kids aren't prime spreaders to teachers or adults.
We don't need any opinions from me whatsoever because we have real world experience, we have facts, we have risk factors, we have science. None off which are on the side of "well we don't know lots of stuff so let's stay locked away." Middle Ages mentality. You literally have nothing other than your concern and fear on your side. Which is totally legit--be as concerned as you like. Just don't tell others what to do or what they shouldn't do based on your personal concerns.
August 11th, 2020 at 4:57 PM ^
Dude, I VERY much want the football season to be played. I am not overly political, and I certainly would not try to leverage a global health crisis to shut down the more enjoyable aspects of our society - like college football.
Here is what I have other than fear and concern on my side: Over 5M reported cases, 162K dealths, a mortality rate of 3.24%, approximately averaging 1,000 deaths a day in the U.S. and counting, with a spread rate still above r/ 1.0 (which means the spread is still slowly excelerateing, although that is progress from a few weeks ago). Of the nations that are back in school, and back at work, and resuming sports, you see a much smaller infection rate across the country per capita, with an infection spread rate (r/) sitting comfortably below 1.0.
These are facts, I am not fear mongering anyone. Context is important here, it is not just a - they all get to, so why can't we - situation. We don't get to play sports because we didn't effectively manage this crisis early on, so now we don't get to have nice things that can potentially cause outbreaks and kill more people.
It's not rocket science, it just requires you to have a little compassion and empathy for people you don't know and probably will never meet not to die needlessly so we can watch ametuers play football.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
August 10th, 2020 at 1:19 PM ^
He also does not take into account that when the other students come back, the players will want to "socialize" with others who are not on the team and more than likely of the opposite sex and who are probably non-athletes. Think Sturgis, but without the Harley!
August 10th, 2020 at 3:06 PM ^
Or maybe Jim was binge-watching Westworld during the shelter-in-place and figures the north campus Dudes can get the whole sexbot thing up and running in time for the team to realistically stay in the submarine for a few months.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:32 PM ^
Do you think members of the football teams are going to be less exposed to Covid, more exposed, or exposed to roughly the same degree, if they are not practicing, playing games, eating together, subject to curfews etc? Do you expect that in the absence of a season, that they will do more or less socializing?
August 10th, 2020 at 12:44 PM ^
I think people need to feel more shame for their selfish actions
That's literally what got us into the situation at hand
August 11th, 2020 at 9:11 AM ^
Thanks ??
August 11th, 2020 at 10:43 PM ^
Wrong.
August 10th, 2020 at 12:46 PM ^
He really highlights the areas though that a lot of people on this board are so pissed about - following all CDC, health and safety guidelines. I.E they wear masks and maintain as much social distance as they can. And it really highlights just how shitty we have been in America at just doing those things.
As Harbaugh says this isn't easy, this is hard. Just like everyone needs to accept, the social distancing and wearing of masks isn't easy, it's hard. But it's necessary at this time to save lives. So for the sake of our nation and peoples lives, just do it.
August 10th, 2020 at 12:54 PM ^
You should be ashamed at selfish and lazy Americans refusing to wear a mask or face shield along with social distancing.
If all Americans took part in that, we'd have sports, probably with fans in attendance. But no, because "MuH FrEeDoMs"
August 10th, 2020 at 1:01 PM ^
Enough of the mask wearing or not wearing a mask. FYI; many stores have a no mask no mask no service policy. You can't shop at any Kroger in any state.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:13 PM ^
Oh so Kroger requiring masks means 100% of the customers comply, and further, 100% of the employees enforce? It gets pretty tiring when every day you have some holier than thou Karen acting like she's an expert on COVID because she watched some fringe YouTube videos. I don't think you understand how insane some of these anti-mask people are.
I mean, I guess TIL Kroger is the leader of America. Not the nitwit in the White House who still says "don't wear a mask if you don't want to".
August 10th, 2020 at 2:51 PM ^
Just out of curiosity Swazi, how far are you willing to go to force everyone to wear them?
August 10th, 2020 at 2:57 PM ^
Sadly minority communities have been hardest hit in this pandemic from statistics shared by the major networks. Obviously the accuracy should be questioned somewhat because of political agendas...the world we live in. But these numbers indicate that these most impacted communities are aaparently those least likely to be practicing distancing, masks, and hand washing. Assuming you believe these practices lower infection rates....you are trying to say these communities are the ones most supporting the no mask movement? I doubt these are big Trump voting blocks.
August 10th, 2020 at 3:20 PM ^
Ding ding ding..that is the thing. Everyone is blaming trump supporters for everything. The facts are still way more cases and way more deaths in democrat states..democrat cities..etc. Ok let's blame the young people partying. Gee I wonder who that base votes for. Dems again. It is 100% ridiculous. Everyone is to blame period I'm just tired of the garbage on here. Trump and his voters didnt cancel football. Its america we are independent whether good or bad and people make choices. Could trump have done better..yes 100%. Oh yah in 2009 60 million americans got swine flu. Obama was just lucky the mortality rate was low because he managed it as bad as possible. He also stopped the media reporting the numbers. If trump did that the crying would never stop. So tired of the left double standard.
August 10th, 2020 at 4:46 PM ^
there is a lot of stupid in that paragraph, so at least you have that going for you
August 10th, 2020 at 4:32 PM ^
Yes, saying that we are in this situation simply because of people screaming "muh freedoms" is disingenuous. That said, while correctly reporting that minority communities have been hardest hit by the pandemic, you bizarrely attribute it to "those least likely to be practicing distancing, masks, and hand washing." Individuals from these communities are more likely to:
- Live in densely populated areas
- Live in multigenerational households
- Work in jobs that are deemed "essential"
- Use public transportation
- Have comorbidities
- Be underinsured and have less access to quality health care
August 10th, 2020 at 7:19 PM ^
most densely populated areas i know of these days are yuppie hamlets in bigger cities. ill admit that government subsidized housing is densely populated also, but living in a smaller apartment doesnt prevent you from wearing a mask, washing your hands, or maintaining 6 feet separation....ive never seen an apartment with rooms that small. apparently you have never been out of the city because multigenerational living is the norm in much of rural America. I cant even address the essential comment because thats just plain dumb. Younger adults of all backgrounds in larger cities use public transportation...not a good argument. As far as comorbidities, you cannot blame one person for the life choices of another. Also, if you are working the genetics angle that should be taken up with god. And lastly, everyone ran from healthvare with this pandemic....as a result your insurance status is irrelevant.
August 10th, 2020 at 7:40 PM ^
Holy shit this is stupid. Everything you said is dead wrong.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:07 PM ^
Unless they plan to live in a bubble with no travel or interactions with other teams for the next 4 months all those facts are meaningless.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:09 PM ^
Totally agreed. The issue is that those on this board who fear-monger and shame do so because it lets them completely demonize those who are on the other side of the political fence from them. They don't want to see the situation improved because they now have a guilt-free foundation to spew their hatred. For many of them outside of the political party they loathe they also plain hate this country - the ideas it was founded upon, the economic system that has brought untold millions out of poverty and serfdom - and so the covid mess gives them more ammo for that nonsense.
So they don't encourage thinking, or solutions, or adaptation. They are all for control and fear, while trying to use the virus as a means to push their radicalist agendas. Not shocking, given this is the fandom for the University of Michigan, but it's dangerous. Kudos to Jim for being straightforward and level-headed.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:15 PM ^
Orrrrrrrrr, they'd just rather another 150,000 people not die.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:31 PM ^
You're pretty much nailing it. I applaud the efforts of the team and staff. While I have been critical of Harbaugh, I am proud of this statement he has made on behalf of all of Michigan football.
However, he is a piece in the overall Michigan puzzle. The folks who can afford to pay him? His bosses and theirs? They understand the incredible liability they would be facing if something went wrong. Whether you believe in COVID or think it is a hoax, the fact remains that lives and money are on the line. And it is worth the lost season to not be careless with either.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:21 PM ^
This is one of the dumbest things I have ever read.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:23 PM ^
Qonas ... or QAnon?
Nice straw army you constructed there .....
August 10th, 2020 at 1:16 PM ^
Are you really that ignorant? The facts are that all major public health experts say large contact sports (barring bubbles) during a pandemic are a terrible idea. I guarantee you all the school presidents are being guided by the experts - because they’ve said they are. You literally have no facts on your side. And if you think public health decisions should be guided by football coaches, you’re an idiot. That’s essentially why Texas and Florida are no disaster areas.
Do you not understand the outbreaks in football and on college campuses are inevitable? (Christ, that one stupid school in Ga had an outbreak on day 1, forcing it to immediately shutdown). Football players may not get sick but they will come into contact with coaches, students, janitors, trainers, teachers, nurses, etc. They will infect those people, who will infect others and that’s how things get out of control in a flash. Do you really still need this explained to you? Do you need see what’s happening elsewhere? Baseball is struggling to control this. But you think football will be fine? You think Michigan can assume that other teams will follow protocols. My god, it’s people like you that have caused this country to have the worst Covid problem in the developed world. Go away.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:40 PM ^
Fear mongering over football during the most widespread pandemic in a 100 years. Love your priorities.
August 10th, 2020 at 1:47 PM ^
There is alot of fear mongereing and shaming behavior and politicalization on this board
August 10th, 2020 at 1:55 PM ^
I swear Donald Trump's awful CapItalIzations AnTiCS on Twitter have at least made it easier to identify people who aren't worth engaging, so thanks for that.
Anyway, Harbaugh pointed out that UM followed proper protocols and other schools didn't. He also ignored the fact that July on college campuses is way different than September if/when 30k+ plus students and untold staff from across the globe converge.
But yes, please keep telling me how the 170k dead people are just fear.
August 10th, 2020 at 3:16 PM ^
Right on freelion!
August 10th, 2020 at 4:15 PM ^
As the spouse of a physician who has gone into the hospital since the beginning of this pandemic, I I've witnessed both facts and fear firsthand.
COVID-19 will soon be the third leading cause of death in the United States behind cancer. I think it's particularly shameful to call those who are more concerned than you "fear mongers".