-
Marly RiveraESPN Writer
There are no protocols that can completely eliminate the risk of contracting the coronavirus.
Therefore, despite the fact that Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have developed an extensive manual to aid in the task of resuming play in 2020, players will continue to test positive during the pandemic.
But identifying those players will not be easy.
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said that under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), teams cannot disclose names. from any player who tests positive.
“The information they have given me is [the media] he’ll be left trying to figure it out, “Cashman said during a conference call Tuesday afternoon.” Someone might be depressed, but we might not be able to explain why, and it would be a speculative circumstance. [where] you would have to use your journalistic superpowers to determine if there is something there or not, what might be the circumstance. “
Major League Baseball also said Tuesday that a team will not specifically announce a COVID-19 disabled list placement for a player who is removed from the club after testing positive, just one trip off the disabled list.
Federal law that restricts disclosure of medical information without the patient’s consent or knowledge means that only players can disclose their positive testing status.
“We are allowed to talk about numbers, but we are not allowed to give individual names,” Hoyer told ESPN. “It is up to those people to decide if they want to announce it. As a group, with the media, we are going to have some conversations about what we can talk about and what we cannot talk about. We are not at liberty to say on which injured list a person is placed player “.
Cashman added: “I don’t think we are allowed to validate any COVID circumstances. That is what I understand at the moment. This is an emerging situation that is new to all of us, but I think that is the current indication that we have received from baseball. in his dialogue with the players association “.
To resume play this season, both sides signed a lengthy “2020 Operations Manual.” The 100-plus page document is intended to protect the health and safety of players, team employees, the entire baseball community and their families.
MLB says the health and well-being of players, family members, and team staff is paramount, but the league will not restrict any activities, and players and staff will be encouraged to commit to a code of conduct outside of the field.
Players, team staff, and their families will be encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and avoid high-risk situations, such as large groups or activities where people are close to each other. The responsibility rests with each club to ensure that all staff act responsibly and do not put the entire team or families at risk.
MLB will also provide players’ families and homes, as well as family and household members of all team personnel, personal protective equipment, and access to regular COVID-19 testing.
If a player’s test is positive, indicating that they have COVID-19, they will be instructed to self-isolate immediately. You will be treated with protocols that are detailed in the operations manual.
Identifying a positive test player may seem obvious because that person will need to isolate himself and move to his home or medical facility until authorized by medical professionals. That player will also not be allowed to travel, access the team’s facilities or have direct contact with other people, but it will not be as simple as naming him for not being present at the stadium.
There will be a “List of COVID-19 related injuries”, but being included on that list does not require a confirmed positive test for coronavirus. Players may be listed after a positive test, but also after exposure to the virus or if they have exhibited symptoms that require self-isolation before further evaluation.
The MLBPA declined to comment.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
.
