“The remaining matches need to be played out”: Dynamo doctor about the resumption of the RPL season, the risks of fans and COVID-19 at Evgeniev

“We should be glad that there are not too many sick people”

- You were surprised when, as a result of testing for coronavirus in Dynamo, abnormalities were found immediately in five people?

- There was a slight surprise, so we, immediately comparing all the facts and symptoms, decided to conduct additional testing. According to its results, coronavirus in the acute phase was confirmed in one person, and antibodies were found in the second. For the rest, everything is normal.

- How does the ill COVID-19 Roman Evgeniev feel ?

- Fortunately for himself, the disease was asymptomatic. Roma did not care, the temperature remained normal. We were in touch daily. Conducted immune and vitamin therapy. By the way, the football player whose antibodies were found was also asymptomatic and had already returned to the general group with certain instructions from the coaching staff.

- When it will be possible to say that Evgeniev is not dangerous to others?

- On June 3, he underwent an examination, passed all the necessary tests - blood and PCR (smear from the mucous membrane). The result was negative. The second COVID-19 virus RNA analysis did not reveal either, and there were no changes in the lung CT scan from June 7th. We can say that Roman was ill and not contagious. On Monday, he was allowed to start individual training.

- How to return a football player to training after a coronavirus?

- It all depends on the severity of the disease. If it proceeded in a more complex form, for example, with the addition of covoid pneumonia, the rehabilitation period can be up to two months. It is necessary to return the ill person gradually and very competently dosing the load. Still, pneumonia is a serious illness, and the lungs are very important for an athlete. If the coronavirus is asymptomatic, a couple of weeks is enough. But upon his return the footballer still undergoes a full examination, including CT of the lungs, and a heart examination. A general history is being collected and a plan for further studies is being developed.

- Is it possible to say that football players, as strong people, are more often asymptomatic with coronavirus?

“I would not say that.” The athlete’s body, of course, is very strong, but it’s hard to say how each individual person will suffer the disease. This is largely an individual matter. An example is Pavel Pogrebnyak, who developed bilateral pneumonia. It's good that everything is behind. May God grant him health. Just in Paul's recovery may be delayed.

- Football players of Spartak, Lokomotiv, Rubin and some other clubs also passed positive tests for coronavirus. Did you expect the worst?

- We hoped that this disease would not affect any of our team. I am sure that all the guys observed self-isolation. But, in my opinion, we should be glad that there are not too many sick people. Yes, and in most coronavirus or did not proceed in a severe form.

- Given the number of positive tests, shouldn't you still refuse to resume the season?

- People love football and want to go to the games. I don’t think it’s worth seriously discussing the early termination of the RPL. On the contrary, the remaining matches need to be played out, even despite the difficulties encountered. Nevertheless, the clubs, the leadership of the league and the doctors of the teams will have a huge responsibility. Risks should be minimized. Everything must be done to protect the fans and all participants in the process - from football players to team headquarters.

- Due to the need to finish the season, the leading players will actually lose normal rest for several years, because this season the break will be minimal, the European Championship will be held in 2021, and the world championship in 2022.

- This is a problem for the body. Everything will depend on the training process. In principle, a person is able to recover quickly. But, of course, this is a slightly different reality for our players, when everything will be held at such an emergency pace.

- Do you, as a doctor, have no fears that the number of injuries will increase in such a busy schedule?

- Of course, we think about it and will try to minimize the risks. Soccer players can get tendon-muscle injuries. There may be injuries of the musculoskeletal system. But look at Europe, where the national championships resumed. This did not lead to a surge in injuries. For example, in the Bundesliga, on the eve of the 30th round, 51 football players were absent. Whereas at the same stage of the season last year - 68. In 2017 and 2018, the indicators were similar, but did not exceed the current one.

- In what condition were the Dynamo players after leaving self-isolation?

- Going to quarantine, we did not lose touch with the guys. Online training took place every day. All were provided with sports equipment. Players professionally approached the situation, so they all returned in good condition, although, of course, it was different from what it was before the pandemic. I am glad that not one arrived overweight.

“Even going down the subway, we risk it”

- Clubs were allowed to fill stadiums by 10%. How risky is this?

“We take risks all the time, even going down the subway.” But you cannot close public transport. Fans in the stadium should also be, at least in small quantities. For football players, this is a huge motivation. In any case, sooner or later, all tournaments will resume, and people will return to the stands in full.

- How to protect the fans in this situation?

- Much will depend on the social responsibility of each person, because you can both comply with antiviral measures and not do it. Everyone should strictly follow a certain algorithm of actions: wear a mask with gloves, do not touch your face, keep a distance. Perhaps people will be seated in a checkerboard pattern or through a row. Probably, disinfecting tunnels will appear at the entrances to the arenas. They have already been installed on the basis of Dynamo, it is planned to install at the stadium. Probably, the club organizes the distribution of masks with gloves.

- Many doctors speak out negatively about the mandatory wearing of gloves.

- Nevertheless, I am of the opinion that this is a necessary measure. Wear gloves with a mask to exclude any possibility of the virus entering the mucous membranes. And the masked regime will continue until the pandemic recedes. According to the latest data, coronavirus settles on the mucous membranes and can easily enter the body through the eyes. Therefore, if you are very worried, wear plastic glasses. The rest you just need to monitor hygiene, wash your hands, treat them with protective equipment. You should also drink vitamins, dress according to the weather, so that the body does not experience stress, and observe a sleep pattern.

- Doesn’t it seem to you that it’s premature to launch people into stadiums, given the number of cases in the country?

“As a doctor, I must say that it’s better not to let anyone go anywhere and adhere to strict isolation.” But at least a minimum number of fans must be present in game sports. I wouldn’t be afraid to go to the stadium now. If both you and the club observe all measures for protection, you can go to football calmly.

- Can the second wave of COVID-19 begin in autumn  ?

- I would not want to, but with a change in temperature, a second wave may appear. Still, with the cooling, the immunity of people suffers. Hence the outbreaks of infectious diseases. But how serious it turns out to be, it is impossible to say so far. Hopefully a vaccine will be developed by then. Modern pharmaceutical industry allows you to do this quickly enough. I think the prototypes are already being tested, and by the fall the vaccine, I hope, will be ready.

“Any method of prevention is cheaper than treatment for coronavirus”

- “Dynamo” has already received the regulations of the final part of the season, which in particular we are talking about regular testing?

- Recently, an online conference was held with the medical committee of the RFU with the participation of RPL President Sergei Pryadkin. It just discussed these topics. All participants in the match will be tested one day before the game and one day after its end. We at Dynamo do tests for all football players, coaches and staff once a week.  

- How difficult is it to regularly organize this procedure?

- This is a very difficult and painstaking, but necessary work. In addition, this procedure is quite expensive. Coronavirus tests are expensive.

- According to the regulations, players will have to come to the stadium on several buses in order to provide the necessary distance. Does such a measure make sense?

- It has, but, in my opinion, it will be rather arbitrary, since contacts on the field can still not be avoided. And if the day before the match, the players passed the test, there is no sense in such restrictions. Plus, players enter quarantine pre-match, their contacts are minimized. Usually we gathered a day before the match, now, perhaps, we will meet in two to conduct an additional examination. So no one should be infected on the field.

- Do you think all such restrictions are conditional? For example, in Germany, players wear masks and then cuddle, celebrating a goal scored.

- I repeat, we are talking about the social responsibility of each person. But in the game, when you are overwhelmed with emotions, it is difficult to control them. Perhaps the players themselves will begin to celebrate goals differently. But outside the field you need to strictly follow all the rules.

- And what about the mandatory disinfection of balls ?

- Any measure is important for prevention. But scientists have already concluded that the virus on the surface practically does not live. And disinfection of the ball makes no sense after they begin to play. Of course, all these procedures may look controversial, but it is better to perform them than not to do anything, and then shrug your hands to the sides. Any method of prevention is cheaper than treatment for coronavirus.