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https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/...han-100-years/

Four issues dominated the report, according to a conference source:

— Viral spread.

Nine of the 11 local jurisdictions that are home to Pac-12 campuses are currently experiencing dangerous or uncontrolled levels of community spread.

— Health restrictions.

Many teams would be limited in what they could do if training camp started today — the Los Angeles schools, for instance, have been cleared by state but not county officials to allow the quarterbacks and receivers to play catch.

“To see photos of Clemson in helmets and out on the field,” said a source familiar with the varying county guidelines, “it shows how far away the Pac-12 is.”

That’s an immediate concern; there also is a longer-haul issue: contact tracing protocols.

“In some counties,” said source with knowledge of the medical team’s presentation, “local health officials would require the quarantining of the entire football team and operation with one positive case, because they all reach their threshold for close contact.”

— Myocarditis.

The condition is described by the Mayo Clinic as “an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). Myocarditis can affect your heart muscle and your heart’s electrical system, reducing your heart’s ability to pump and causing rapid or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).”

In extreme cases, it can be life threatening, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“Severe myocarditis weakens your heart so that the rest of your body doesn’t get enough blood. Clots can form in your heart, leading to a stroke or heart attack.”

What’s more, Pac-12 officials are aware of two recent German studies that revealed “heart involvement” in 78 out of 100 recovered Covid-19 patients “and active cardiac inflammation in 60.”

“There’s not enough data,” the source explained, alluding to the medical team’s report.

“Originally, it was believed cardiac complications were only developing in those who were symptomatic, but now we are learning that is not the case.”

The source said one doctor explained to conference officials that, “We think it best to pause and learn more while others (conferences) would rather keep going as we continue to study it.”

— Testing.

The capacity, including turnaround time, simply isn’t has reached a threshold that would allow for safe competition.

“We aren’t the NFL,” the source said. “We don’t have a contract with a private lab.

“Right now, testing is a way to control the spread. It’s not an effective prevention strategy. With the quick turn-around testing, it can be that.”