No F1 spectators at Bahrain GP, a case of moral panic?

The show must go on so the 2020 Bahrain Formula One race will have no spectators as they will be barred from entering (not that it has ever been a sell-out)! Is this a case of moral panic?

“Given the continued spread of COVID-19 globally, convening a major sporting event, which is open to the public and allows thousands of international travellers and local fans to interact in close proximity would not be the right thing to do at the present time,” said a statement issued on Sunday morning. The second round of the championship would be a televised event only. (So no mass gathering around at your mates place?)

Moral panic is described as a ‘widespread fear that is typically irrational and often stigmatises those that are already marginalised’. The point here is that the fear associated with Covid-19 is significantly out of proportion to its actual danger.

Here at home panic buying of groceries has been taking place (I think we should be fine for meat, dairy, fresh and processed vegetables, cereals and toilet paper – all produced here locally).

One would think that if Bahrain really wanted to stop the spread of the virus they would cancel the Grand Prix and not have the influx of all the international team members. But money is at stake and business must take place.

Maybe they (and NZ) are just delaying the inevitable which is highly likely to take place.

As they say, there is nothing more strange than folk,