Coronavirus NFBC Travel

[Greg Ambrosius]

I don't want to make light of this serious subject in any way because I totally understand how the coronavirus is affecting everyone's plans. It's some scary shit and we don't take it lightly. But we also have to continue planning for live events that many of us committed to days, weeks and months ago. The show must go on.

And I don't want this thread to delve into a political thread because I hear some people's concerns. But I'm also convinced there isn't any man, woman or animal in the U.S. of any political persuasion or religious persuasion or baseball affiliation who wants any part of this in our country. EVERYONE wants life to go on as normal. In fact, I'm at First Pitch Florida and it's comforting to see 120 people at a conference still interacting as normal and then go to sold out spring training games where everyone also is acting as normal.

That being said, obviously we aren't taking any of this lightly. We understand how this could affect our live events and baseball in general this year. As all of you already know, though, ANY live draft can include an Online component if an owner wants to stay home, so there should be little concern with participating in drafts that you're already signed up for. I mean, the online draft room is available for every live drafter and they can sit at the live draft table and make picks from their seat or even from the bathroom if they want to or from home 1,000 miles away. I am not moving anyone at this point who is in a New York or Las Vegas live draft if they are thinking of staying home instead because things change AND they can just draft in that league online from home if they have to.

So honestly nothing changes with any of our live drafts. The Plan B is you stay in that league and if it fills with live drafters we move you to the Online only league. But nothing is changing there and everyone should be fine and stay in the leagues they signed up for.

Auctions obviously is a different story. All 12 Auction Championship leagues are sold out and some have been sold out for weeks. None of those are moving to online auctions and most of those are already all paid up. I'm not trying to be insensitive, but if people are waiting until later this week or next week to say they can't keep their auction commitment it's not fair all around. I mean, the phone is the only other option or we can try together to sell that spot to other NFBC owners. Or maybe someone can fill it live for you as your proxy. I'm not trying to be cold, but auctions are not moving online since so many are still making the trip to be live and there is a mutual trust that when you signed up and paid that you'd keep that commitment. Again, I'll try to help you sell that committed spot, but everyone coming for live auctions expect me to fill them with live bodies and to have the best experience they can have with the best format for roster construction. I'll try to help if needed, but auctions are tough.

Again, no chance auctions move online. Now I could help on the phone and you'd have access to the live auction board at all times, but it's not easy or ideal. So auctions -- and that includes the Super, Ultimate and Diamond auctions -- are the one problematic format.

Again, I am sensitive to the situation. I'm trying to respond so that this thread doesn't go off into a dozen different directions. We love live events, but nobody wants to die going there. The fear of last week spooked the markets and spooked all of us. It feels like the travel scare after 9/11, but hopefully we're nowhere close to that level. New York is 12 days away and we are moving forward and hoping for the best. Thanks all and good luck.

[Thurman15]

Well said Greg. Once a person has committed, they can not pull out and be reimbursed. The best bet for those that are worried about travel is to find a live body that will do the auction for you. You pay, they do the auction. You may be able to give some $$ values you want for specific players.

This is so much fun for all of us, but it is also a business. As Greg said, the show must go on. I'm in both Vegas and New York auctions. I'm coming for sure unless travel is banned. Most of us work beside other people, some travel, some sit in meetings and conferences, so how can someone claim they can't do what they are already doing in their home city ? As many have mentioned, lets wait and see what the experts say as we get closer to Go time.....but there will indeed be a GO TIME...now about those Astros

[KJ Duke]

I'll be there for the auction regardless, Greg.

Might not be hanging around the casino much, but I'm not missing the Diamond and hopefully we have a full room of competitors.

[Baseball Furies]

Well said Greg. Once a person has committed, they can not pull out and be reimbursed. The best bet for those that are worried about travel is to find a live body that will do the auction for you. You pay, they do the auction. You may be able to give some $$ values you want for specific players.

This is so much fun for all of us, but it is also a business. As Greg said, the show must go on. I'm in both Vegas and New York auctions. I'm coming for sure unless travel is banned. Most of us work beside other people, some travel, some sit in meetings and conferences, so how can someone claim they can't do what they are already doing in their home city ? As many have mentioned, lets wait and see what the experts say as we get closer to Go time.....but there will indeed be a GO TIME...now about those Astros

You tell 'em, Al! And this coming from a guy who I believe is old as dirt, has to travel internationally, and is probably more high risk than most of you on here. So the show must go on! Now just 12 days out from the start of the live events in NYC with THE BIG ONE on Friday night!

[Greg Ambrosius]

I'll be there for the auction regardless, Greg.

Might not be hanging around the casino much, but I'm not missing the Diamond and hopefully we have a full room of competitors.

We will take a break every 15 minutes to go wash our hands for 20 seconds. We will have the cleanest buffets and drink stations around, I promise. I will make Brady shower (by himself this time) before, during and after each auction. Cleanliness before godliness will be the NFBC's motto at every live event.

I watched the news all last week and it felt weird flying to Florida. But since being in Florida and interacting with everyone here and at the ballgames, it feels natural again. It feels like we're not all going to die just by shaking someone else's hand. I know I'm being a little trivial because everyone is panicking, but it feels like maybe we can get through this. I only hope our leaders do the right things in the next couple of weeks, days, hours.

[Philippe27]

My decision would be different if the 20% death rate was for kids rather than the 80+ but unless anything changes, I'll be there in NYC.

[Gekko]

First case of coronavirus confirmed in Manhattan
March 1, 2020 | 8:08pm

The first case of coronavirus in New York City was confirmed on Sunday to be a woman in her late 30s who recently traveled to Iran, a state official said. Governor Cuomo released a statement on Sunday night announcing the first case in the state. A source told The Post that the woman lives in Manhattan.

https://nypost.com/2020/03/01/first-cas ... manhattan/

[Yah Mule]

I'll be there for the auction regardless, Greg.

Might not be hanging around the casino much, but I'm not missing the Diamond and hopefully we have a full room of competitors.

We will take a break every 15 minutes to go wash our hands for 20 seconds. We will have the cleanest buffets and drink stations around, I promise. I will make Brady shower (by himself this time) before, during and after each auction. Cleanliness before godliness will be the NFBC's motto at every live event.

I watched the news all last week and it felt weird flying to Florida. But since being in Florida and interacting with everyone here and at the ballgames, it feels natural again. It feels like we're not all going to die just by shaking someone else's hand. I know I'm being a little trivial because everyone is panicking, but it feels like maybe we can get through this. I only hope our leaders do the right things in the next couple of weeks, days, hours.

"because everyone is panicking."

Is that what's happening here?

[Yah Mule]

Useful thread.

https://twitter.com/JeremyKonyndyk/stat ... 3244580864

[KJ Duke]

I'll be there for the auction regardless, Greg.

Might not be hanging around the casino much, but I'm not missing the Diamond and hopefully we have a full room of competitors.

We will take a break every 15 minutes to go wash our hands for 20 seconds. We will have the cleanest buffets and drink stations around, I promise. I will make Brady shower (by himself this time) before, during and after each auction. Cleanliness before godliness will be the NFBC's motto at every live event.

I watched the news all last week and it felt weird flying to Florida. But since being in Florida and interacting with everyone here and at the ballgames, it feels natural again. It feels like we're not all going to die just by shaking someone else's hand. I know I'm being a little trivial because everyone is panicking, but it feels like maybe we can get through this. I only hope our leaders do the right things in the next couple of weeks, days, hours.

I'd suggest you institute a Brady overseas travel ban NOW! And keep Tom away from any women coming to Iola from China/HK/Korea.

[craiggebz]

Is there a gameplan for if and when games are cancelled and players get the virus? Will stadiums close to prevent the spread of the virus? The rate at which this is escalating, everything is on the table. I sure hope not

[Gekko]

Once a player gets it, will they quarantine the whole team for a couple weeks? May want to think about how to incorporate that info into your draft day selections. I know I will be

[Yah Mule]

Dropping both of these guys five rounds.

[KJ Duke]

Getting more info every day on this. Increasingly confirming that it will be a very mild condition for many who become infected, most won't even know they've had it. However, if you are elderly or have an underlying disease that compromises your immune system the risk is significant, not unlike catching pneumonia.

So in the next few weeks/months, the number of cases will explode higher as tests become available - although those infected will be much higher still as most won't even know they have/had it since they could have no symptoms, or those similar to a mild cold or flu. Calculated death rates will plunge and the actual ratios will be far lower still given the un-diagnosed.

Also of note - has anyone heard of a single adolescent case? Overly-cautious parents will probably pull kids from school - and some schools will be closed -but it seems kids are more like carriers than at-risk for a serious health condition.

Hope to see all of my fellow "healthy, and under-the-age of 70", drafters in Vegas.
If you're 83 and/or have underlying issues - enjoy your online draft and stay away from airports!

[Gekko]

KJ - what if we have loved ones that we interact with who are older and/or with underlying conditions? Please advise.

[Edwards Kings]

KJ - what if we have loved ones that we interact with who are older and/or with underlying conditions? Please advise.

If it helps, when I frequently visit my 83 year old mother (heart/GI issues) who lives in an apartment in a senior living facility with a bunch of other q-tips, I wash my hands.

[Gekko]

KJ - what if we have loved ones that we interact with who are older and/or with underlying conditions? Please advise.

If it helps, when I frequently visit my 83 year old mother (heart/GI issues) who lives in an apartment in a senior living facility with a bunch of other q-tips, I wash my hands.

Shit! This should probably be on the CNN and Fox scrolling tickers! If only the 3,000+ who passed away knew they would have been safe if they had washed their hands

[Edwards Kings]

Unbunch your panties. I sincerely hopes no one else gets sick or dies, but if you are not in an at-risk group no use in hyperventilating. And the simplest rules apply when interacting with at-risk groups.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease ... for-public

[KJ Duke]

KJ - what if we have loved ones that we interact with who are older and/or with underlying conditions? Please advise.

Given the nature in which it can spread, I'd be vigilant until there's more clarity.

[Gekko]

[Greg Ambrosius]

I know things can change quickly and I probably shouldn't even say anything, but I just want to say thanks to everyone who first reached out to me with their concerns of attending our live events last week and taking my calls this week. We had a handful of players who began making alternative plans last week who have changed their minds this week and are now planning to attend New York and Las Vegas live events. That's great if all plans hold true.

I understand the concern from everyone, and again, things can change quickly. But at this point I'm only working with one owner who is still not ready to commit to the live events. Everyone else I talked to is planning to attend and know a little more about coronavirus than they did last week. Let's hope its not Armageddon like Gekko is professing and we all are able to make it through by doing what the doctors are telling us to do. Be safe with your travels all, be smart and I look forward to seeing everyone in New York City and Las Vegas.

[Ultrarunner]

Note to self: cough on Gekko in NYC

[Gekko]

[Gekko]

Cubs' Yu Darvish Hospitalized with Illness Amid Concerns over Coronavirus

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndica ... amp.html

[Baseball Furies]

Please! Enough of this shit! Half of spring training has the flu, but Darvish possibly had the Coronavirus?!! Which was more likely? More media and government induced hysteria. They should all be going for testing if this was truly thought to be an epidemic about to hit all of these players. They are all young, healthy men. They will recover and be fine, just like virtually everyone who has contracted the Coronavirus other than the elderly, the immune compromised, the already diseased, and people with similar conditions who if it wasn't the Coronavirus, would have been killed by something else sooner or later...say by their own medical providers in the hospital.

Here's a stat for you that you should really be concerned about if you're reading this: Each year in the US, 1.7 million Americans develop hospital-acquired infections each and 99,000 of them will die! Let that sink in for a second. That means these people go into the hospital without an infection which the hospital gives them and almost 6% of them ARE KILLED by this! So when the Coronavirus has reached this level of an epidemic which can actually be controlled, come talk to me. Yeah, that's right. What you don't know can and will kill you, but this is all just acceptable medical practice that comes with the territory. Gimme a fucking break...