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Monday, April 27, 2020

Flagsticks, handshakes and masks: Infectious disease experts clarify coronavirus risks, say golf ranks as one of the 'safest sports'

One thing about a pandemic in the digital age is there’s no shortage of information. It’s the good information that has been more elusive, and that extends to our understanding of the coronavirus in a golf setting. Can you get the virus from even walking past another golfer? Is there danger in reaching into the hole for your ball? Should we be playing while wearing masks?

In consulting a series of infectious disease specialists, all of whom are still learning more about the virus themselves, several consistent themes emerge. The good news? Golf is relatively safe, especially during a time when so much else seems rife with hazard. “Golf has got to be one of the safest sports under the current circumstances,” said Dr. Charles G. Prober, a professor of pediatrics (infectious diseases) and of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University.

But since nothing is without risk these days, we put a series of common golf-specific questions to three experts, Dr. Prober of Stanford, Dr. Amesh Adalja, a Senior Scholar at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Health Security, and Dr. J. Trees Ritter, DO, Fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America. Their responses should help you understand what should and shouldn’t be off limits, and where uncertainty remains. Above all, they might provide assurance that a golf course, navigated properly, can still be a refuge.

Can I contract the virus just walking by other golfers at the course?

This you shouldn’t sweat. Though the virus’ main form of transmission is through person-to-person contact, all three experts emphasized just walking by other players on the course or in the parking lot was not a significant risk. “The virus doesn’t teleport from one person to another. It has to have some mechanism to get there,” Adalja said. Yes, an infected golfer could emit respiratory droplets by sneezing or coughing in your direction, but that’s why the doctors all cited the now-standard practice of maintaining a six-foot gap as a precaution. “More is better, but these respiratory droplets really don’t spread much more than spitting distance,” Dr. Ritter said. “When you’re outside, the risk is even lower.” Of course, the most important advice in this context is to tell anyone who is sick or symptomatic to stay home.

What if I’m sharing a golf cart with someone?

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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Theatre of the Absurd

Anonymous said...

Then c’mon Hogan - open the f’ing golf courses!

Anonymous said...

Here is how you answer this question!!!!

Do I have a greater chance of getting CV-19 on a sail boat with more than 10 people on it, or a boat with a motor, like a speed boat, with more than 10 people on it???? Which one gives you the greater risk of getting CV-19???

Hint, It doesn't god damn matter which boat your on, hence why this lock down is bullshit and illegal... Ask why the governors will allow you to get on a sail boat with more than 10 people but not a speed boat!!!! Think about that, while you think these orders are legal!!!!

Anonymous said...

Golf is too expensive. Golf courses are closing in Florida - baby boomer sport. It is now pickle ball however, that's off limits even though it involves maximum 4 players and more than 6 feet apart. Time to move on - social distancing and lack of work is a joke.

Anonymous said...

The governor is not allowing me to do anything 4:54. I won't ask for his permission to go out on a boat or anything else I want or need to do. That mess is for the sheeple of this state.

Anonymous said...

Without UI benefits, you can’t even afford a canoe.

Anonymous said...

9:37
Correction: golf is too expensive for me.

LOL