No Cubs Players or Employees Have Tested Positive for COVID-19
You know things have gotten rough when you’re writing about literally nothing, though Jerry Seinfeld got wealthy doing exactly that so I guess I’m in decent company. And as reports continue to roll in about athletes and team employees testing positive for COVID-19, maybe it’s a good thing to confirm that no one in the Cubs organization has done so at this point.
According to Mark Sheldon, Reds beat writer for MLB.com, a Reds employee based in Arizona has tested positive. That has caused other staff members to self-quarantine as they await the results of their own tests.
An Arizona-based #reds employee tested positive for COVID-19, the club announced. Other staff who were in contact with this individual are being tested and have self-quarantined.
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) March 18, 2020
This follows previous reports that at least two Yankees minor leaguers have tested positive, forcing the quarantine of dozens of others. Several NBA players, including the Nets’ Kevin Durant, have also tested positive for the coronavirus, and most Lakers players underwent testing Wednesday morning. According to Brad Turner of the LA Times, the test involves “like this Q-tip through the nose” that has to touch the person’s throat and be twisted.
Sources: A majority of the Lakers players were tested at 9 a.m. for the coronavirus at the practice facility. The doctor on site did testing with like this Q-tip through the nose, has to touch throat and twist it. Took about 10 seconds. Lakers hope to get results by Friday.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) March 18, 2020
Fun times.
All of this leads into the positive-because-it’s-not-negative update from Gordon Wittenmyer that no Cubs players or other employees in the organization have tested positive. Now, we have no idea how many people out of those groups have been tested at all, but it’s at least good to know that no one has developed symptoms or been in contact with someone who has.
Cubs: As of Wednesday no players or employees in organization have tested positive for COVID-19. (This in wake of news of NYY minor-leaguers and AZ-based Reds employee testing positive).
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) March 18, 2020
There’s also the notion that the entire organization has essentially returned to offseason mode, with only 15 or so players and almost no staff remaining in Mesa. With the team facilities at Sloan Park closed to anyone other than team personnel and those who’ve gone home not subject to any media coverage, the possibility for broad internal transmission is vastly reduced. That also means the Cubs have less immediate control and knowledge of what each individual is doing.
We do know, however, that Jason Heyward is doing good things. In this time of uncertainty and fear, it’s nice to get some news like this
More good deeds from MLB players.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward plans to donate $200,000 to coronavirus relief in Chicago: $100,000 to MASK, which is collecting supplies and meals for families affected by the virus, and $100,000 to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 18, 2020
