Sean Doolittle Expresses MLB Players' Valid Safety Concerns in Extended Thread About Coronavirus
By Scott Rogust
On Monday, Major League Baseball and team owners approved of a plan to kickstart the 2020 regular season during the coronavirus pandemic. Now, the players' union will review the proposition and reveal their answer in the next 48 hours.
Some of the game's finest are on board, but one player is extremely pessimistic.
Washington Nationals closer Sean Doolittle sent out a detailed Twitter thread expressing some valid safety concerns about such a proposal. In particular, Doolittle wants to better understand MLB's plan to protect the health of players, stadium workers and their families during the shortened season.
Because this is a novel virus, there is still so much we don't know - including the long-term effects. On top of respiratory issues, there's been evidence of kidney, intestinal, and liver damage, as well as neurological malfunctions, blood clots & strokes. https://t.co/rXD3vJRpoH
— Obi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020
Since there's so much uncertainty still surrounding COVID-19, it's unknown what long-term effects it can have on the human body, which is something that rightfully concerns Doolittle.
Doolittle touches upon how COVID-19 can potentially create permanent damage to the lungs, which is obviously a concern for a young athlete. Additionally, the relief pitcher discusses how the virus can cause fertility problems for anyone who contracts it.
Any contraction of the disease could also rapidly spread through an MLB clubhouse, which would pose a serious threat to any team.
And that's before we get to hotel workers and transportation workers (pilots, flight attendants, bus drivers). They are essential workers. We wouldn't be able to play a season without them, and they deserve the same protections.
— Obi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020
There's no vaccine for COVID-19 currently, so the Nationals closer wants to know what kind of health benefits players will receive if a second wave of the virus hits.
We don't have a vaccine yet, and we don't really have any effective anti-viral treatments. What happens if there is a second wave? Hopefully we can come up with BOTH a proactive health plan focused on prevention AND a reactive plan aimed at containment.
— Obi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020
Doolittle brings up so many reasonable questions regarding a return to baseball. Hopefully, the league answers his inquiries with 100% certainty. If not, you can fully understand why players would be apprehensive to step on the diamond for the 2020 season.