“Sports Are the Reward of a Functioning Society”

<p>Instead, we have the sh*#show that is an <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/covid-19-test-delays-impacting-102306732.html">MLB testing protocol</a> that could not factor in the 4th of July holiday. The As, Cards, Nats, and others cancelled workouts because test results had not arrived.  <a href="https://www.si.com/mlb/athletics/news/athletics-position-players-first-workout-delayed-pending-results-of-intake-testing">In the case of the As</a>, the tests themselves were still sitting at the outgoing airport. Angels and Yankees players had to administer their own swab tests as the testing staff were no-shows.   Sean Doolittle, patron saint of the show, provides the quote of the season as well as the news that PPE promised to teams has not arrived, at least in the case of the Nationals. Patti recommends the <a href="https://theathletic.com/1907562/2020/07/03/stark-what-happens-if-one-team-has-to-shut-down-where-will-mlb-draw-the-line/">Jayson Stark piece in The Athletic</a> (behind paywall) that asks the right questions about how and when teams and the season get shut down.</p><p><br></p><p>MLB promises to keep the names of players testing positive confidential, unless the players give permission, but as soon as a name is added to the IL without a reason disclosed, <a href="https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2020/07/02/phillies-blue-jays-place-players-on-il-covid-19-speculation-ensues/">assumptions are made</a> and discussed.  <a href="https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2020/07/05/freddie-freeman-is-sick-with-covid-19/">Freddie Freeman’s wife</a> performed a public service by sharing the seriousness of his condition as someone with the disease (who tested negative only days before).  This led to teammate <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29417681/nick-markakis-becomes-second-braves-player-opt-season">Nick Markakis</a> joining other high-profile players already choosing to <a href="https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/full-list-of-mlb-players-opting-out-of-2020-season/">opt out of the season</a>.  Nick, <a href=