Chicago Cubs, White Sox prepare ballparks for COVID-19 testing

Cubs owner Tom Ricketts is shown with Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Cubs owner Tom Ricketts is shown with Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Cubs and White Sox will notice a change when they arrive at the ballpark–a significant change.

As soon as the Chicago Cubs and White Sox pull in, they’ll notice some changes. There’s a spot between ever car for social distancing. Once they come in, they’ll undergo temperature checks and questionnaires for COVID-19. Not to mention the parking. I mean, where is everybody going to park? I’ve seen the players lot. It’s full up.

At Guaranteed Rate Field, there’s been some progress made. Layouts include social distancing, expanded dugouts and more. There have been pitching mounds built, complete with hand sanitizer stations. The more you look around, the more you see the changes have been made.

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The Cubs’ Theo Epstein thinks the park is set ‘by protocols and on an understanding in our minds how this is going to operate.’ Social distancing, moving lockers and more. Basically, what they can move outside? They will. Some players will get a tan, so that’s good. Right?

So will it work? I say no. Nevermind the ‘social distancing.’ What about the players who opt-out? Or the ones who get the coronavirus? They should allow them 14 days to recover. That’s a quarter of the season. If I got it, I’m done. I’m going through cancer treatment. But if I didn’t have cancer? No way.

And what about people that develop symptoms in the ballpark? What range are they testing them at? I’ve been tested for COVID-19 twice. Mostly I’m around my daughter, my wife and the doctors. That’s it. 96 through 98 is what I’ve been tested—nothing out of the ordinary. So what ‘scale’ do they go on? Is 100 too high?

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I got to admit; I don’t like these 60-games–plus a month of playoffs. I think they’ll make it. But at what cost? Do you know the smartest people out there?  The ones that are opting out. They’re the real heroes. But for the ones that are playing? Stay safe.