Diary

I’ll try to post daily. Not a lot else to do right now!

A lot has happened in the 5 days since the WTA and ATP tours were cancelled. I had read last week that the WTA was suspended for 5 weeks but it really depends where you get your information from! It’s probably 6 weeks like the ATP.

The UK Government have suggested that we practice social distancing. They said that we are a nation of intelligent, responsible individuals and that it was unnecessary to enforce it. They ( the Government ) really should get out more. That’s only suggestion.

I took the dogs out twice yesterday. I didn’t come within 10 metres of anyone. I have never seen the pub car park so full. It was full at 11am. Its amazing how many people had to make a vital trip to the pub.

There a people all over the news and on social media asking the nation to stop being selfish and to stop panic buying. Do these people live in a different country to me? As a nation I wouldn’t say we cope well. The old “stiff upper lip” has become a quivering bottom lip. If they get scared they are going to panic buy. Also the problem with panic buying is a bit of a snowball effect. If others are panic buying and clearing the shelves then others are forced to do the same. If things get worse (and that seems likely) and steps are not taken to control the situation there will be fights and in some areas food riots. We are already seeing people taking items out of other shoppers unattended trolleys.

The French Open has been moved to September. Just a week after the US Open ends. The players have not welcomed the move.

World number 93 Vasek Pospisil, who sits on the ATP Players Council, slammed the decision as “selfish” and “arrogant” and added that it showed the players had no say in the running of the sport.

“This is such a difficult time, everyone is being impacted by this catastrophe. Enhancing communication and working together to find solutions should be the priority,” he posted on Twitter.

The new date for the French Open means it will coincide with several other tournaments. Roger Federer’s Laver Cup team tournament also clashes with the new date for the French Open. They have said they will still go ahead with it.

The US Open tweeted about their own plans which was clearly prompted by the French Open announcement.

As I said a lot has happened in the last few days so no one can say with any certainly what will happen in the next 5 weeks.

   

You would be forgiven for thinking the whole world’s gone mad. Maybe it’s a side effect of the virus.

Firstly let me say that if your immune system is compromised then of course you should do all you can to avoid getting infected. But if your immune system is compromised that is already a way of life for you. You will already be taking steps to avoid the common flu and everything else that could potentially make you very ill and even worse.

If you have family members who are in that situation, and most of us do, then we are already mindful of not taking infections to them. If the kids have chicken pox you wouldn’t take them to see granny who is in and out of hospital.

Aside from taking that level of precaution we get on with life. Basic hygiene keeps most of us safe enough and if something gets past our personal hygiene regime then our immune system does its job. The reason it can do its job is that we have been exposed to the various viruses and have built up a natural immunity. How we can build up any sort of immunity if we avoid any level of exposure I don’t know.

We have all seen the panic buying of everything from tins of beans to paracetamol to toilet roll. Paracetamol I can understand but beans? You don’t get the virus by being in the same huge building as someone else. When they start shutting tesco stores I’ll hold my hands up and say I was wrong.

Last week I witnessed a local Chinese family who were out for a walk being put through the embarrassment of the parents of 3 small children screaming at their kids to get away from the family. They were obviously upset. I did go up to them and try to explain that most people did not feel that way. I’m not sure they understood as they didn’t seem to speak much English despite living in the area for many years. At least I tried!

When ordering a Chinese takeaway this week I was told by the owner that their sales are significantly down. It’s to be hoped that this country never has to cope with the hardship that our grandparents and great grandparents went through in the World Wars. This generation’s coping skills and common sense levels would be of less protection that a cheap face mask.

The ATP have announced today that all tournaments are cancelled until the end of April. A 6 week period. I can’t find a similar statement from the WTA although tournaments in China have been cancelled for next month.

I would think that the Challenger Tour will be largely unaffected as they already practically play their matches to empty stadiums and cancelling their matches would have a huge effect on the lower ranked players’ finances. It’s ok for the likes of Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal to agree and encourage an extended break with their millions sitting in the bank.

So keep washing your hands people. Soap and water is more than enough. Don’t get stressed because they have run out of hand sanitise. Would you stop wiping your arse if they run out of bog roll?

Ah crap I just sneezed on my laptop. I’m off to burn it.