Clubs closing thread.

[Dartagnan64]

FYI it lasted from the 16th until the 20th .... now by governor mandate closed down.

City/County parks are not currently padlocked so that is where the players will be found.

I have decided that this is the perfect time for me to change to playing singles only. Lots of distancing to be had.

I have wanted to become a better singles player but never had the time to dedicate to it. Well, now is the time.
(I will serve with my balls, opponent with his/her balls .... no touching someone else's ball with anything other than racquet)

As long as park courts remain open I will have a match a day ... already have next 5 days lined up.

I remain unconvinced that tennis courts are clean places to be. We have no idea how long the virus lasts on a tennis court, how much gets picked up by balls on the bounce, how much gets transferred to racquets, etc.

I guess those that choose to play on public courts through this will be the test cases for fomite transmission on tennis courts. Scientifically I'd be interested to know how many of the people that choose to keep playing get sick. Keep us updated with your health.

For now I think I'll mostly stick to walks and bike rides.

 

[Ronaldo]

Not sure that's social distancing.



After all the pics I saw of Miami beaches I'm getting more convinced that America doesn't have the right stuff to shut this thing down. California seems to be the only State being proactive. New York has missed their opportunity and will be the next Italy. Florida is clueless.

I don't think I know the answers to this pandemic but I think in another week North America is going to be feeling the full brunt. I feel a bit like Noah as people laughed at him while he built his ark. Sadly "I told you so's" offer no satisfaction when people are dropping like flies.

Alas, Noah's Ark is closed

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I have decided that this is the perfect time for me to change to playing singles only. Lots of distancing to be had.

Will you come to the net?

 

[Ronaldo]

Will you come to the net?

To shake hands?

 

[McLovin]

I remain unconvinced that tennis courts are clean places to be. We have no idea how long the virus lasts on a tennis court, how much gets picked up by balls on the bounce, how much gets transferred to racquets, etc.

There was a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine that found the virus can survive up to 72 hours on certain metal surfaces, and 24 hours on cardboard:

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2004973?query=featured_home

Gotta believe it could last long enough on a tennis ball to have viable transmission, especially since players are constantly touching their face between points (i.e., wiping sweat away from their eyes).

 

[OnTheLine]

Will you come to the net?

But of course ... only way I know how to end a point .... I don't like waiting for someone else to make an error.

To shake hands?

Nope. Didn't like touching other humans before this ... happy to avoid it now!

@Dartagnan64 I hear your concern. The current protocol (what I used today) is each player has their own balls. Bottle of sanitizer on the bench ... Prior to serve those hands are sanitized. You serve with only your balls ... opponent is not to touch them with their hands. When done your balls get set aside. Sanitize hands and opponent serves with their balls.

I am willing to posit that my virus risk is higher when going to the grocery store (where I wear gloves) than playing a match.

BTW today was great. Played someone I had never played before ... turns out we are exceptionally well matched. Ended "tied". She won the first 7-5, I won the 2nd 7-5 and we were at 4-4 when we both looked and saw we didn't have time to continue.

A good day.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

There was a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine that found the virus can survive up to 72 hours on certain metal surfaces, and 24 hours on cardboard:

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2004973?query=featured_home

Gotta believe it could last long enough on a tennis ball to have viable transmission, especially since players are constantly touching their face between points (i.e., wiping sweat away from their eyes).

Played for 5 hours today indoors, the real question is how long does it last on a full bed of poly strings? (switched back to poly, my natural guy experiment went ok, but they only lasted about 16 hours of playtime, zoinks).

 

[SpaceAce42]

Played for 5 hours today indoors, the real question is how long does it last on a full bed of poly strings? (switched back to poly, my natural guy experiment went ok, but they only lasted about 16 hours of playtime, zoinks).

you really need to stay at home to blunt the curve. self isolate, social distance.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

you really need to stay at home to blunt the curve. self isolate, social distance.

I live alone, tennis is very very non-interactive, I don't go to the store for anything, I probably have less contact with people than 70% of the population. I will stick to the recommended guidelines for my rural area set forth by the local experts.

 

[rogerroger917]

Singles tennis the opponents is like 40 feet away. Don't shake hands. Wash hands and wash clothes when you get home. Shower. Wipe car steering wheel and handles down.

But I'm still not playing tennis with anyone. Just my son who is home from school.
Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[McLovin]

Played for 5 hours today indoors, the real question is how long does it last on a full bed of poly strings? (switched back to poly, my natural guy experiment went ok, but they only lasted about 16 hours of playtime, zoinks).

Well...

SARS-CoV-2 was more stable on plastic and stainless steel than on copper and cardboard, and viable virus was detected up to 72 hours after application to these surfaces (Figure 1A)...

Given that plastics are a form of polymers...

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

TY McLovin, great username btw.

 

[McLovin]

TY McLovin, great username btw.

Thanks. A little off topic, but when I first joined (almost 13 years ago), I naively used my real name. I soon realized I shouldn't do that, so I requested TW change it. Turns out, that is the only time they'll allow a name change.

Well, I had literally just watched the movie a night or two before, so that was the first name that came into mind.

 

[vex]

Italian hospital makes heartbreaking decision not to intubate over-60s

HOSPITALS in Italy are no longer intubating patients over the age of 60, with some doctors being forced to make agonising decisions about who lives and who dies in the face of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to shocking eyewitness reports from healthcare professionals.

www.express.co.uk

 

[Notirouswithag]

There are two high schools within a couple miles of my house with 5 courts each and the weather has been beautiful all week. I've popped out to hit for an hour each day with my wife, daughter, or just to hit a couple buckets of serves by myself. Every single time, the courts have been completely full and I've had to wait for an opening. And this has been at various times of the day; morning, noon, and afternoon.

A lot of the people playing are folks I recognize from the two clubs nearby that were forced to close. I have also seen a couple teaching pros from those places giving lessons. I overheard one saying that his club is paying his base pay until the end of March and that he was on his own after that, so he was trying to keep his clients going for as long as he can. The other players on the courts seem to be a lot of the high school kids who have had their schools shut down and tennis seasons ended, but still want to play. Most, like my daughter, are restless and want to have some fun activity to do. The last group that I've seen a lot of are complete beginners, usually a family out bunting the ball around. You usually don't see those types of folks except for around the couple weeks when Wimbledon or the US Open are on TV. Overall, seeing all these courts being used like this makes me happy because it shows that tennis is not a dying sport like it sometimes seems. And we need positive and healthy things going on right now instead of huddling in our houses and clutching our pearls all the time.

Im in that sameboat, my public club(that has alot of sites around the country and we were told that fulltime staff would be paid for this past week based on their average hours over the last 2 pay periods(excluding overtime), after next week its assesed on an as is basis.

My director also told me that come Monday us full time tennis pros can teach on our community courts, but if residents want to hit we need to put them first and come off. At the moment our tennis bubble is up(4 courts covered, 2 uncovered year round) and we cant teach on work premises since we are closed.

 

[Mongolmike]

Italian hospital makes heartbreaking decision not to intubate over-60s

HOSPITALS in Italy are no longer intubating patients over the age of 60, with some doctors being forced to make agonising decisions about who lives and who dies in the face of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to shocking eyewitness reports from healthcare professionals.

www.express.co.uk

If that is true, that is heartbreaking... but it's also a perfect example of triage, right?

Welcome to the world of coronavirus.

 

[Ronaldo]

If that is true, that is heartbreaking... but it's also a perfect example of triage, right?

Welcome to the world of coronavirus.

Boomers

 

[jm1980]

If that is true, that is heartbreaking... but it's also a perfect example of triage, right?

Welcome to the world of coronavirus.

It's the Express. So it could range from complete fabrication to partially true

 

[vex]

If that is true, that is heartbreaking... but it's also a perfect example of triage, right?

Welcome to the world of coronavirus.

It's the Express. So it could range from complete fabrication to partially true

Yeah I was told by a US doc then googled it so I’m not claiming firsthand knowledge here. At the same time... it’s just math. There are only so many ventilators

 

[Ronaldo]

Yeah I was told by a US doc then googled it so I’m not claiming firsthand knowledge here. At the same time... it’s just math. There are only so many ventilators

And will we even have an election?

 

[vex]

And will we even have an election?

If the US can’t figure out a way to adapt and safely hold the election 9 months from now then we’re in real deep ****

 

[SpaceAce42]

Let's just get through this day, this week and this month before we start thinking about November. one day at a time carpe diem

 

[Ronaldo]

If the US can’t figure out a way to adapt and safely hold the election 9 months from now then we’re in real deep ****

And yo wondering why we hoard TP?

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Im in that sameboat, my public club(that has alot of sites around the country and we were told that fulltime staff would be paid for this past week based on their average hours over the last 2 pay periods(excluding overtime), after next week its assesed on an as is basis.

My director also told me that come Monday us full time tennis pros can teach on our community courts, but if residents want to hit we need to put them first and come off. At the moment our tennis bubble is up(4 courts covered, 2 uncovered year round) and we cant teach on work premises since we are closed.

Were you covered by a blanket insurance policy before and are you still covered now?

 

[Notirouswithag]

Were you covered by a blanket insurance policy before and are you still covered now?

Yes and yes, through USPTA

 

[toby55555]

Two almost identical clubs I belong to in suburban London, both outdoor only. One has closed completely the other has closed the clubhouse but courts remain open.
I was surprised to see an organised group playing yesterday. Personally I am just playing singles with a disposable glove on my non playing hand. I believe I have trained myself not to touch my face, wraparound shades help too.

 

[Dartagnan64]

But of course ... only way I know how to end a point .... I don't like waiting for someone else to make an error.



Nope. Didn't like touching other humans before this ... happy to avoid it now!

@Dartagnan64 I hear your concern. The current protocol (what I used today) is each player has their own balls. Bottle of sanitizer on the bench ... Prior to serve those hands are sanitized. You serve with only your balls ... opponent is not to touch them with their hands. When done your balls get set aside. Sanitize hands and opponent serves with their balls.

I am willing to posit that my virus risk is higher when going to the grocery store (where I wear gloves) than playing a match.

BTW today was great. Played someone I had never played before ... turns out we are exceptionally well matched. Ended "tied". She won the first 7-5, I won the 2nd 7-5 and we were at 4-4 when we both looked and saw we didn't have time to continue.

A good day.

I am absolutely convinced the highest risk we all face is going to the grocery store. It's a frightening place these days. I gloved and masked to get some fresh produce today and was shocked at how poorly social distancing was managed.

But food is a necessity. I can get exercise safer ways than tennis. I struggle to get food safer ways than going to the grocery store (I can't farm or hunt worth crap and delivery services are not taking new customers due to delays).

As a health care worker I'm trying to set an good example of social distancing. I walk 4 feet away from my wife when out. Wear gloves and cover my face in public spaces like grocery stores. Wash hands frequently. Clean surfaces around the house frequently. Manage my patients from home as much as possible.
Only walk or cycle as exercise outlets and do it at less busy times of day.

During mitigation, everyone you see is a potential viral vector of death. This is Russian Roulette. Better to have fewer bullets in the chamber.

 

[TTMR]

So government has declared state of emergency and has closed non-essential businesses. My argument is that tennis is an essential service, especially during winter months.

What I've done is lock the front doors and put the 'closed' sign up. Lights are off in front area so building looks closed. Building's landline is routed to a cell phone so kid that runs the front desk doesn't have to stay at the desk. When kid answers the phone, he gives directions for players to go around to the back door/loading area where he lets them in. Playing area has no windows so nobody outside can tell lights are on full blast. Everything normal inside. Steady as she goes.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Well Last week all the private tennis clubs closed and today the public courts all were officially closed down. Largely because people just weren't doing enough. Every time they see people out in small groups, more and more will be taken away until everyone starts following guidelines.

My argument is that tennis is an essential service, especially during winter months.

A) no it isn't
B) It isn't winter

 

[J011yroger]

Well Last week all the private tennis clubs closed and today the public courts all were officially closed down. Largely because people just weren't doing enough. Every time they see people out in small groups, more and more will be taken away until everyone starts following guidelines.



A) no it isn't
B) It isn't winter

Maybe he lives in Siberia, you ever think of that smart guy?

J

 

[Dartagnan64]

Maybe he lives in Siberia, you ever think of that smart guy?

J

still not officially winter. Even in Siberia.

 

[Erlang]

The courts were packed today, with some pros from the sister facility that got shut down by the city giving lessons. I rarely see this place this packed on a Sunday afternoon.

It's only a matter a matter of time before some do-gooder reports it to the city and this place gets shut down as well

 

[tennis tom]

Front Page Featured | MRCTV

www.cnsnews.com

 

[Dartagnan64]

Front Page Featured | MRCTV

www.cnsnews.com

Again death rate is irrelevant in this disease. It is rate of infectious cases vs. the health care's ability to handle serious cases. In a world where every patient can get appropriate care, the death rate is quite low. In a world where there are not enough ventilators or health care workers, death rates climb.

It is about flattening the curve so there isn't a surge of cases overwhelming the health care system. That's all health care workers on the front lines are asking of you. As numbers continue to escalate and I continually see people outside failing to follow physical distancing guidelines, the message must get more and more desperate.

We will lose good nurses and doctors over this. We will lose grocery clerks. We will lose delivery people. All because some of you can't stand to stay indoors. It's a critical moment. We either beat this back now or we all become the next Italy.

 

[Dartagnan64]

The courts were packed today, with some pros from the sister facility that got shut down by the city giving lessons. I rarely see this place this packed on a Sunday afternoon.

It's only a matter a matter of time before some do-gooder reports it to the city and this place gets shut down as well

I find the concept of "do-gooder" offensive. It shows insensitivity to the many good nurses and doctors that are going to stand on the front line taking case after case of this disease, putting themselves at risk. Putting their families at risk. Living in the garage. Running out of medical supplies. Don't be a selfish jerk and stay the freak home.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

I find the concept of "do-gooder" offensive. It shows insensitivity to the many good nurses and doctors that are going to stand on the front line taking case after case of this disease, putting themselves at risk. Putting their families at risk. Living in the garage. Running out of medical supplies. Don't be a selfish jerk and stay the freak home.

I can play that game. I find the concept of "selfish jerk and stay the freak home" an insult, well, to me personally, lol. I'm about to go play tennis for the 5th day in a row indoors and if you live in a household with more than 2 people, you have had more contact with people than I have during this time. Don't be so easily offended.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I can play that game. I find the concept of "selfish jerk and stay the freak home" an insult, well, to me personally, lol. I'm about to go play tennis for the 5th day in a row indoors and if you live in a household with more than 2 people, you have had more contact with people than I have during this time. Don't be so easily offended.

Well happy to insult you. I'll be here all week singing the same tune. As many public health officials have said, we'd rather over-react than under react.

Stay at home, wash your hands, don't touch your face.

And thanks to everyone that gets out to celebrate health care workers at 7 pm each night. Your encouragement is appreciated.

 

[silentkman]

I find "selfish jerk" offensive. It's not like I'm being reckless. I am working from home and stopped going out to pretty much anything else. I am avoiding anyone who might be vulnerable including my parents. I am religiously washing my hands and disinfecting anything I bring into the house. I'll avoid anyone sick and I won't leave the house if I am sick myself.

But if you want to stop me from playing a sport where social distance is enforced by design, you're going to have to pry the racquet from my feverishly hot *cough* hands

totally different environment than 911. I felt like we were a "United" States back then.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I find "selfish jerk" offensive. It's not like I'm being reckless. I am working from home and stopped going out to pretty much anything else. I am avoiding anyone who might be vulnerable including my parents. I am religiously washing my hands and disinfecting anything I bring into the house. I'll avoid anyone sick and I won't leave the house if I am sick myself.

But if you want to stop me from playing a sport where social distance is enforced by design, you're going to have to pry the racquet from my feverishly hot *cough* hands

Again happy to offend. Thank you for all your efforts in other aspects of your life.

Does going to play tennis set the right example and will others see you and think its ok to flaunt the health officials advice? Will they play tennis without taking adequate distancing precautions because they saw Erlang out playing?

It goes beyond just you. It's a united front to stay at home for everything but essentials. The Italians failed because of something called "furbizia". The innate Italian way of circumventing authority to get away with things. Now they are paying the price for that cultural idiom.

Again kudos to those TTWers that are showing good citizenship and putting up with stay at home orders. It's rough but we can get through this. Tennis isn't going anywhere. Let's make sure Covid19 takes a hike and doesn't return.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

totally different environment than 911. I felt like we were a "United" States back then.

Eventually we became united, but history will write a narrative that says we came together etc. Meanwhile, reality was that my friends in college at the time that were anywhere close to brown skinned were cussed at, had things thrown at them, in a major metropolitan city. The good and bad is always there, but it's true we rallied back then and we will rally now.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Wow Dartagnan, you are all over the place, but kudos to your enthusiasm and congrats on knowing furbizia, I did learn a new word today. A small part of this country is ordered to stay at home btw, some of us live in other areas. I doubt anyone will see him play tennis. "breaking news, CNN interrupts the president to show a man playing tennis outside in a park!?!" Covid will return, every year, like the flu etc.
I admire your spirit and wanting to set an example, but stick to what you know without assuming so much. Also, don't assume we aren't in health care ourselves.

 

[tennis tom]

Why Italy? The factors behind a coronavirus disaster

Why Italy?

www.channelnewsasia.com

 

[jonestim]

All outside public courts in Oregon are ordered closed as of midnight tonight - as well as any indoor that weren't already.

 

[TTMR]

The courts were packed today, with some pros from the sister facility that got shut down by the city giving lessons. I rarely see this place this packed on a Sunday afternoon.

It's only a matter a matter of time before some do-gooder reports it to the city and this place gets shut down as well

You got it. If that happens, I may be in luck. A couple of the city inspectors are "good friends" of mine and will probably do me a solid if I treat them right.

Exercise is needed more than ever at a time like this. Tennis is a socially distant exercise.

 

[toby55555]

Suspension of tennis in the UK as of 8.30pm this evening; if I heard our PM right we can only walk, run or cycle alone.

EDIT, from the website:

• One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household

So if you have a family member who plays you could in theory have a hit but i'm sure all the clubs and public courts will close to avoid 'gatherings'.

 

[Dartagnan64]

There is a point when efforts from fighting the virus cause worse consequences than the virus itself. From the promotion of a sedentary lifestyle, to stopping life-saving medical screening procedures because they aren't "essential," to postponing treatment of medical conditions because they aren't "essential," to the socio-economic fallout of millions losing their jobs because of these lockdowns. These measures will have long-lasting consequences in exchange for a dubious short-term gain.

What is even more appalling is seeing some welcome with open arms further erosion of civil liberties. We can't do a Chinese style containment. This is the price we pay for living in a free society. It's dangerous to accept draconian and authoritarian measures in a fear-driven response to a crisis, because they lead to their acceptance when life returns to normal.

No one is saying people should stop exercising for the rest of their lives or even a week. Go for a jog (by yourself). Go for a bike ride (in tandem with others). Go for a walk (with your dog on a quiet street). The rest of the time stay at home.

And I agree that the cure can't be worse than the disease but if you look at Asia, they were stringent for a number of weeks and by not half-assing it, they are more ready to recover economically. Western countries by being more concerned about civil liberties have set themselves up for a combination of both economic and public health disaster. Public health officials, governments, epidemiologists from all around the world have united in a similar message. Do you think as TW poster you are qualified to out think them and have a better plan.

I'm just echoing the sentiments of the numerous experts in these fields. Stay home except for essentials. Wash your hands. Don't touch your face. The sooner everyone does it, the sooner we get out of this.

 

[silentkman]

Eventually we became united, but history will write a narrative that says we came together etc. Meanwhile, reality was that my friends in college at the time that were anywhere close to brown skinned were cussed at, had things thrown at them, in a major metropolitan city. The good and bad is always there, but it's true we rallied back then and we will rally now.

That's a valid point, anybody that's not white can relate to their experience. I'm sorry Dude, but I just don't see a rally.

 

[Erlang]

No one is saying people should stop exercising for the rest of their lives or even a week. Go for a jog (by yourself). Go for a bike ride (in tandem with others). Go for a walk (with your dog on a quiet street). The rest of the time stay at home.

I don't understand how these activities are less risky than playing within a 50x100ft box where I'm unlikely to be close to anyone other than my hitting partner.

If you jog or ride, you can still come close to other joggers or riders, and by the nature of the activities, a potentially infected person would be shedding the virus over a much larger area

And I agree that the cure can't be worse than the disease but if you look at Asia, they were stringent for a number of weeks and by not half-assing it, they are more ready to recover economically. Western countries by being more concerned about civil liberties have set themselves up for a combination of both economic and public health disaster.

You have to take the bad with the good. I'll take a freer society any day of the week.

 

[SpaceAce42]

Sophie Turner ‘Doesn’t Give a F’ About Evangeline Lilly’s Freedom

“Stay inside.”

www.vulture.com

 

[am1899]

You got it. If that happens, I may be in luck. A couple of the city inspectors are "good friends" of mine and will probably do me a solid if I treat them right.

Exercise is needed more than ever at a time like this. Tennis is a socially distant exercise.

The importance of exercise pales in comparison to preventing the transmission of the virus.