COVID19 lockdown called off, Smack-Off set for June 19

There have been very few cases of COVID19 in Patria. The official confirmed number "can be counted on a mala", i.e. less than 108. Virtually all of these cases are in people over 70 years old and/or with underlying pre-existing health issues such as emphysema. If anyone who tested positive for COVID19 is unfortunate enough to die, the cause is almost certainly the underlying health issue rather than the virus per se. Therefore, by act of Congress and with the ratification of each of Patria's thirteen Precinct legislatures, the lockdown that had been in effect since mid-March has been called off effective immediately.

Yoga studios, temples and other places of worship, restaurants, gyms, schools and playgrounds in Patria are re-opening. The lost and so-called "furloughed" jobs will come back as small businesses and those deemed "non-essential" go back to work. In a definite rebuke to the nanny-state, Patria is relying on its citizens to voluntarily be responsible to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Social distancing, whenever possible, will still be encouraged, as will be working from home and frequent hand-washing.

In the decision to end the lockdown, lawmakers in Castoropolis and the precinct legislatures noted that the economic toll and the and mental health costs of shutting down the Inner Realm far outweighed the potential damage of COVID19. Patria's physical health system (single-payer of course) can handle any spike in COVID19 cases. It might even be able to handle the spike in obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes that would result from so many citizens forced into virtual house arrest being deprived of many of their usual physical activities such as working out at a local gym. But the mental health system would be overwhelmed by the spike in depression, anxiety, domestic violence, relationship break-ups, PTSD and suicide attempts that would result from the massive job losses and economic collapse of an extended lockdown.

Patria, like Sweden, is aiming for herd immunity  - or at least aiming to allow the virus to run its course among healthy citizens, who will likely experience no more than mild flu-like symptoms, if they have symptoms at all - and will impose only a few common-sense restrictions. Anyone entering Patria, whether a returning citizen or a tourist off the beaten path, will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days. Contact with elderly or high-risk citizens of Patria, particularly in nursing homes and hospitals will be restricted, kids might not have some quality time with their grandparents, and there will still be no large gatherings by the thousands such as sports events. The All-Patria Football Federation decided to continue suspending the soccer season rather than play games without fans in the stands, while the Patrienish Hockey League is still considering a plan to play in empty rinks, finish the regular season, or possibly go directly to the Kamala Cup (the PHL's Stanley Cup) playoffs. Patria's two baseball leagues, like their counterparts in South Korea and Taiwan, will begin the 2020 regular season with no spectators.

With almost all major professional sports shut down indefinitely, sports talk radio stations such as PMBC-1152 have not had much to talk about. Nonetheless, Jungle Party leader Jim Rome has announced that Smack-Off XXVI will air on Friday, June 19. Coronavirus or no, the defending Smack-Off champion is Brad in Corona!

Have a take. Don't suck. Clones in Patria, listen to Smack-Off XXVI June 19 on PMBC-1152.