Speaking of The Shit Hitting The Fan:

Clock's ticking, world:  Which blows first, a major incident at a sporting event, or does the Coronavirus shut it all down first:

First, the Coronavirus stuff:

• Pat and Ian, on last week's CUPodcast, were wondering why "Dick Pound" was trending on Twitter.  For most people who don't know, they probably were snickering, but those of us who do know that Pound is a vice-president of the International Olympic Committee.  With a hat-tip to my anonymous friend who often looks out for various stories for mutual information:  Pound has given Tokyo and Japan until some point in the month of May -- establish the Coronavirus is dealt with, or the Olympics are cancelled.
• And the Japanese government, already curtailing torch relay events, may -- for the first time! -- be considering cancelling the Games outright, as of last night.

If the last couple days are any indication, it won't be just the Olympics:

• We have the first sports cancellations of the coronavirus:  Chicago State University has cancelled the last two games of both it's men's and women's basketball season due to concerns over the virus.  They are in the Western Athletic Conference for basketball somehow, and that means long travels, etc.  No word yet on whether they are about to forfeit their place in the conference tournament (such as it is -- 25 or so games into each season, the men's and women's teams have one win between them!). 
• LATE UPDATE 7:40 PM PST 3/4/20:  Italy has decided to hold all sporting events with no fans for the next month!  (ESPNFC)
• Italy has just closed all schools and colleges for two weeks.
• The United Arab Emirates, for four.
• China goes into Week #7 of closed schools.
• Japan has already asked most schools to close for most of March.  Reports today indicate the most cases in a day Japan has reported.
• It appears as if quarantines are about to start in cities all over the world:  A recent poll taken last weekend indicates 70% of Americans polled (and about the same in many countries also polled) would support absolute citywide quarantines if necessary.
• And President Trump is beginning to sound that alarm as well.

Adding to this post in a bit with a developing on-field story in England showing TSHTF....