Leagues Close Clubhouses To Media To Combat Coronavirus

MLB, the NBA, NHL and MLS starting today will "close their clubhouses to the media in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus." In an unprecedented joint statement, the four leagues "decided to act in an attempt to minimize person-to-person contact between potential carriers." The shutdown, "effective for both games and practices, is temporary." In its own statement, MLB said that it is "acting in consultation with public health and infectious disease specialists," as well as the CDC, to "guide its decision-making as Opening Day is 2 1/2 weeks away." The Baseball Writers’ Association of America "acknowledged the 'paramount' importance of health but also expressed its 'disappointment' with the decision" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/10).