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<p>Some common feelings evoked by this virus and the climate it creates are fear, anxiety, uncertainty, loss, confusion, disappointment, exhaustion, frustration, sadness, anger, etc. These are normal feelings and your family, friends are feeling them also. Try to acknowledge what you are feeling and talk about those feelings.</p>
<p>While some major athletes have been able to self-isolate and social distance themselves in lavish facilities stocked with free weights and sophisticated equipment,others are not so fortunate. Most high school and college athletes do not have access to such luxuries. The frustrations of having training derailed are minute in comparison to the cratering economy and the deaths of millions across the planet.</p>
<p>It is often asked "just how does the virus change a fit body and what are the impacts of the virus that attacks the air sacs in the lungs"? The lungs are an essential organ to transport oxygen to the bloodstream and the muscles. The preliminary data indicates that the young and fit tend for the most part not to fall in the high-risk category. However, because a person is young and/or fit they are not immune. Some healthy young people have died from the virus.</p>
<p>Early data seems to indicate most of the infected population is without symptoms. The CDC indicates 14% of the population between the ages of 20 to 44 reach a stage that requires hospitalization and oxygen but not ventilators. Individuals who are more severely compromised develop acute respiratory distress syndrome. In this case survival is dependent on access to a ventilator. According to the CDC only 2% of this age group need treatment in an ICU. And only .1 percent of them die.</p>
<p>What athletes need to know about the virus is it does not matter if you are a weekend warrior or a world class athlete, or somewhere in between you can still get sick. Some individuals have a more resilient immune system than others. It is thus far unknown why there are variations. However, it is true being fit will not inoculate you from this virus. Also, it is not known what the lasting impact is of having this virus will have on athletic performance. It is very difficult to advise athletes who have recovered from the virus concerning when it is safe for them to resume training.</p>
<p>Because of all of the unknowns we urge you to stay safe by following the CDC guidelines.</p>
<p>We also echo the following recommendations put forth by the Association of Applied Sports Psychologist (AAPSP)</p>
<ul>
<li>Put your basic needs (food, water, shelter, sleep, etc.)first as American psychologist Abraham Maslow has indicated in his need's hierarchy</li>
<li>Maintain virtual communications-i.e. Facebook, Facetime, zoom, skype, etc.</li>
<li>Isolate physically but stay connected socially</li>
<li>Stay updated-but do not become inundated and overindulge in watching events, and/or reading information concerning the virus. This can be overwhelming</li>
<li>Exercise (It is medicine to the body, mind, and soul)</li>
<li>Talk about it-Identify people you trust, stay in touch with your coaches, and teammates</li>
<li><strong>Monitor your emotional and mental health-Doing all of the above will support your mental health</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong>We in the Counseling Center urge all of our great athletes,staff and students to stay safe and take care!!!!!!</p>
<p>Resource list</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/mental-health-resources/trauma-disaster/working-with-your-clients?utm_source=informz&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=covidresources">American Counseling Association</a></li>
<li><a href="https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/">National Suicide Prevention Lifeline</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html">CDC: Mental Health and Coping</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.psychcongress.com/article/coronavirus-crisis-staying-safe-smart-and-kind">Coronavirus Crisis: Staying Safe, Smart, and Kind</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.psychologytools.com/articles/free-guide-to-living-with-worry-and-anxiety-amidst-global-uncertainty/">Free Guide to Living With Work and Anxiety Amidst Global Uncertainty</a> (multi-lingual versions)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.olympic.org/athlete365/well-being/how-to-stay-positive/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=covid19&amp;utm_content=paulwylleman">How to Stay Positive: Paul Wylleman, 2017 AASP Distinguished International Scholar</a> (<a href="https://www.olympic.org/athlete365/well-being/meet-the-experts-paul-wylleman/">bio</a>)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCJ8ZkbO7dU">Dr. Kensa Gunter Shares Tips on Handling Life at Home During COVID-19 With DeMar Derozan via #NBATogetherLive</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.aspenprojectplay.org/coronavirus-and-youth-sports">Coronavirus and Youth Sports</a></li>
<li><a href="https://positivecoach.org/ask-pca/dealing-with-disappointment-during-coronavirus-cancellations-postponements/">Dealing with Disappointment During Coronavirus Cancellations, Postponements</a></li>
<li><a href="https://positivecoach.org/the-pca-blog/using-the-sports-shutdown-to-recover-the-joy-of-sports/">Using the Sports Shutdown to Recover the Joy of Sports </a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cypherpsych.com/blog/coronavirus">How Student-Athletes Can Cope with the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.drjimtaylor.com/4.0/sports-meets-covid-19-what-to-say-what-to-do/">Sport Meets COVID-19: What to Say, What to Do</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.tristatesportpsych.com/post/2020/03/19/an-open-letter-to-student-athletes-lessons-i-have-learned-from-you-amidst-a-crisis">An Open Letter to Student-Athletes: Lessons I Learned from You Amidst a Crisis</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sidelinedusa.org/resources-blog/unfinished-business-5-insights-when-your-athletic-season-is-sidelined-by-a-pandemic">Unfinished Business: 5 Insights When Your Athletic Season Is Sidelined by a Pandemic</a></li>
<li><a href="http://appliedsportpsych.org/site/assets/documents/International-COVID-19-Resources.pdf">International Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ilovetowatchyouplay.com/2020/03/26/how-parents-can-help-cope-and-support-their-athletes-during-the-coronavirus-sport-shutdown-and-isolation-period/">How Parents Can Help Support Their Athletes During the Coronavirus Sport Shutdown and Isolation Period</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.rowingnews.com/2020/04/03/finding-ways-to-cope/">Finding Ways to Cope Feat. AASP Scientific Program-Elect Stephen Gonzalez</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thedistance.atlantatrackclub.org/from-the-experts/mindset-matters-during-covid-19">Mindset Matters During COVID-19 Feat. AASP Web Presence Committee Chair Abby Keenan</a></li>
<li><a href="https://appliedsportpsych.org/blog/2020/04/motivating-your-kids-during-covid-19-homeschooling/">AASP's Blog Post: Motivating Your Kids During COVID-19 Homeschooling</a></li>
<li><a href="http://appliedsportpsych.org/site/assets/documents/DACA-Decision_Mental-Health-Guide-for-providers.pdf">A Guide to Providing Mental Health Services to Immigrants Impacted by Changes to DACA and the COVID-19 Pandemic</a></li>
</ul>

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MCC Daily Tribune

Athletes and the Coronavirus

On March 11th, 2020 Utah Jazz Center Rudy Gobert test positive for COVID-19. He became the first known US professional athlete to be identified with the virus. This was a traumatic event for the sports world. It triggered the suspension of the NBA 2019 season. Other major sports league soon followed. Superstars like Kevin Durant on March 17th 020 tested positive for the virus. On March 12,2020 the NCAA cancelled the hugely successful March Madness basketball tournament, baseball cancelled its traditional opening day, etc. With all of this going on it is normal to feel like you are on an emotional roller-coaster. There is a constant influx of information, changes to daily routines uncertainly about personal, family and friends health etc. All of this is emotionally and physically draining.

Some common feelings evoked by this virus and the climate it creates are fear, anxiety, uncertainty, loss, confusion, disappointment, exhaustion, frustration, sadness, anger, etc. These are normal feelings and your family, friends are feeling them also. Try to acknowledge what you are feeling and talk about those feelings.

While some major athletes have been able to self-isolate and social distance themselves in lavish facilities stocked with free weights and sophisticated equipment,others are not so fortunate. Most high school and college athletes do not have access to such luxuries. The frustrations of having training derailed are minute in comparison to the cratering economy and the deaths of millions across the planet.

It is often asked "just how does the virus change a fit body and what are the impacts of the virus that attacks the air sacs in the lungs"? The lungs are an essential organ to transport oxygen to the bloodstream and the muscles. The preliminary data indicates that the young and fit tend for the most part not to fall in the high-risk category. However, because a person is young and/or fit they are not immune. Some healthy young people have died from the virus.

Early data seems to indicate most of the infected population is without symptoms. The CDC indicates 14% of the population between the ages of 20 to 44 reach a stage that requires hospitalization and oxygen but not ventilators. Individuals who are more severely compromised develop acute respiratory distress syndrome. In this case survival is dependent on access to a ventilator. According to the CDC only 2% of this age group need treatment in an ICU. And only .1 percent of them die.

What athletes need to know about the virus is it does not matter if you are a weekend warrior or a world class athlete, or somewhere in between you can still get sick. Some individuals have a more resilient immune system than others. It is thus far unknown why there are variations. However, it is true being fit will not inoculate you from this virus. Also, it is not known what the lasting impact is of having this virus will have on athletic performance. It is very difficult to advise athletes who have recovered from the virus concerning when it is safe for them to resume training.

Because of all of the unknowns we urge you to stay safe by following the CDC guidelines.

We also echo the following recommendations put forth by the Association of Applied Sports Psychologist (AAPSP)

  • Put your basic needs (food, water, shelter, sleep, etc.)first as American psychologist Abraham Maslow has indicated in his need's hierarchy
  • Maintain virtual communications-i.e. Facebook, Facetime, zoom, skype, etc.
  • Isolate physically but stay connected socially
  • Stay updated-but do not become inundated and overindulge in watching events, and/or reading information concerning the virus. This can be overwhelming
  • Exercise (It is medicine to the body, mind, and soul)
  • Talk about it-Identify people you trust, stay in touch with your coaches, and teammates
  • Monitor your emotional and mental health-Doing all of the above will support your mental health

We in the Counseling Center urge all of our great athletes,staff and students to stay safe and take care!!!!!!

Resource list

E. Watkins
Counseling Center & Disability Services
05/13/2020