Ford said the federal guidelines for self-isolating stand in the way of the NHL setting up shop in TorontoGETTY IMAGES
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has "passed the puck back to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau" when it comes to Toronto becoming a possible hub city for the NHL this summer, according to Kevin McGran of the TORONTO STAR. Ford in his daily briefing yesterday said, "That’s going to be up to the federal government. But I think it would be great for Toronto.” McGran notes Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver "want to be one of the hub cities" that would host the NHL upon its potential return. Still, Ford said that the federal guidelines for self-isolating when people arrive in Canada -- they must quarantine for 14 days -- "stand in the way of the NHL setting up shop in Toronto." Meanwhile, Trudeau offered a contrasting message on Tuesday, suggesting that his government "would not stand in the NHL’s way if all layers of government and public health officials were on board with the league playing in Canada," though he also said that the Canada-U.S. Border "would remain closed to all but essential traffic until July 21" (TORONTO STAR, 6/18).
OUT IN THE DESERT: In Las Vegas, Justin Emerson writes if the city is selected over the next week, the timing "may still seem odd," as this week has been "one of the worst in Nevada for new virus cases." But local officials said that there is "no danger of their presence spreading the virus further into an area that’s already infected." Southern Nevada Health District Acting Health Officer Fermin Leguen explained, "If we were having this conversation at the point when there is almost no coronavirus cases in Clark County, then the consideration would be different, because then the potential risk of reintroduction of transmission is increased by bringing people who have been exposed to the virus in other areas." Leguen concluded, "But talking about today, there is an established local transmission of coronavirus in Clark County, so they really are not adding to that risk" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 6/18).
MISSING THE POINT: In Toronto, Doug Smith writes, "I'm not sure I get all this foofaraw about where the NHL sets its 'hub' cities if and when it actually gets back to playing games." The "only benefit would be the corporations that own hotels and restaurants and arenas," as there would "likely be a trickle down to staffing levels at those places and that's certainly welcome." But how "great that trickle down effect would be remains to be seen." Smith: "It just strikes me as odd that anyone imagines this being anything more than a silly public relations move by said cities that has as much chance of backfiring as it does of providing any tangible benefit" (TORONTO STAR, 6/18).
