Professional baseball and J-League review "Countermeasure Liaison Conference" to prevent infection, March 3 18:32

Professional baseball and soccer J-League invited the specialists of infectious diseases to hold the first "meeting liaison meeting" in order to cope with the spread of the new coronavirus infection, and to prevent infection for the next official game. We examined points.

At the first "measure liaison meeting" held in Tokyo on March 3, professional baseball player Jun Saito and representatives of each team participated, while J League chairman Mitsuru Murai and directors participated. An infectious disease expert was invited.

At the meeting, the chairperson, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University's specially appointed professor Mitsuo Kaku, explained the points to prevent infection at the stadium and how to respond when an infected person appears in the team.

On top of that, it was important to prevent contact between people as much as possible, and specific measures were shown, such as using a player's locker at different times and using a distance from other people at the dining venue. is.

Also, attendees have requested that the sports field should clarify the extent to which "heavy contacts" should be included in response to the appearance of infected persons.

Three of the experts, we decided to put together a proposal to prospect the middle of this month based on the discussions at the second time of the meeting, which is scheduled for this month 9 days.

In response to this, Professional Baseball and the J-League have decided to make their own decisions regarding future official matches.

Saito, a professional baseball commissioner, said, "We must consider objectively without prejudice. It is one of the industries where many people work besides players, so we want to make a conclusion that the majority can understand." I was talking.

“Prevention is an important point”

"Prevention is a very important point in protecting the people and continuing the game. How to reduce the risk of infection through professional sports," said Mitsuo Kaku, professor of Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, chair of the conference. Talking about what to do is extremely meaningful and should be a model for the Olympic Games and various other sports. "

Regarding how to respond when an infected person appears in athletes or staff, etc., it is not clear at this time, but how to respond including the possibility is to some extent by the next meeting I would like to report on the opinions of the house together. "

“Advising each team”

"I'm not thinking about basically doing it, but thinking about what to do with a positive attitude. Proposals for prevention and risk management in the event of anything," said Professor Hiroshige Mikamo of Aichi Medical University Graduate School. In order to reduce the number of close contacts, for example, using lockers at different times or eating meals at a dining venue at intervals of 1.5 meters or more, it is important for each team to respond. We want to assign not only three experts but also advisors to cover them. "

“Create a mechanism to reduce risk”

Professor Kazuhiro Tateda of Toho University, president of the Japan Society for Infectious Diseases, said, `` We know that contact, chatting, and enclosed spaces within reach can increase the risk of spreading infections, and support baseball and soccer. If you think about it, it's a risk.I want to create a mechanism to reduce the risk.It is important to consider what can be done to keep out infected people, but unfortunately when an infected person comes out I think it is our responsibility to maintain the manual so as not to be confused. "