Goshin Jitsu Mixed-Martial Arts

Happy October!

I know it feels premature to talk about Spring 2021. GJMMA training as a group in the new year is going to depend on two factors (1) what restrictions the University will have and (2) if we feel those restrictions are adequate to keep our students and instructors safe.

UIUC has done an AMAZING job with it’s novel testing strategy and quick action. This isn’t a cure, it’s a mitigation strategy (probably why it’s called SHIELD). But that only works on a foundation of mask wearing, physical distancing, and hand hygiene. Unfortunately none of these are particularly practical or effective given the nature of our training. This is being done with the intent of a controlled exposure rate that would generate herd immunity without overwhelming the healthcare system.

Unfortunately, natural herd immunity does not appear to be possible. Thus, our only hope of getting through this pandemic and a more recognizable future is a vaccine (and perhaps a series of them). While it is highly likely one will be developed and vetted by testing by 2021 it is unlikely that it will ready to be rapidly distributed before the end of Spring semester 2021.

Without herd immunity nothing has changed since this started in March of this year. I wish things were different, but I doubt very much the University will allow our kind of training on campus until herd immunity is obtained. That likely pushes us even further out to meeting once more as a group.

COVID-19 herd immunity: where are we? During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the concept of herd immunity has become a topic of much debate. This Comment examines the factors that determine it, discusses how far we have come and considers what it will take to reach herd immunity safely.

You’re supposed to punch people. Evolutionary biology says so.

Humans evolved for punching, study confirms University of Utah research finds that men are especially well suited for fisticuffs.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s program is a test case for reopening across the country. Immaturity and entitlement are proving that difficult.

University of Illinois cracks down on students violating COVID-19 safety protocols Following a spike in coronavirus cases, the University of Illinois has disciplined over 100 students and two have been suspended.

This certainly “seals the deal” when it comes to cancelling practices this fall.

coronavirus.illinois.gov

Goshin Jitsuka,

“May you live in interesting times” is an English translation of an ancient Chinese curse. In the peri-COVID-19 era we are certainly seeing firsthand why interesting is not a positive adjective. I have been thinking a lot about this fall and discussed it with our instructors. We are of different opinions. However it is my responsibility as not only the chief instructor but as a physician, faculty member, and part of the Champaign-Urbana community to make decisions that I believe are the best that I can for my students and the club.

Goshin Jitsu Mixed-Martial Arts will NOT be meeting for Fall 2020. We will make decisions for Spring 2021 as events unfold in the next few months. Dues paid toward Spring 2020 will be honored for Spring 2021.

Part of this decision making is easy. The University has already given us their COVID-19 guidelines for the Division of Campus Recreation. It is quite clear that a mixed-martial arts club like Goshin Jitsu cannot train successfully in a socially distant manner. In addition, the use of masks wet with perspiration likely do not work. With the vigorous nature of practice not reducing aspirates with masks would be criminal. I see no way that Goshin Jitsu Mixed-Martial Arts could meet as a group and be consistent with University of Illinois and Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines.

But Joker, there are gyms in town that are open and training. Yes, there are. They are skirting on the edge of the rules and doing so because if they don’t make money they will go out of business. They are between the frying pan and the fire. A laissez faire approach to social distancing and mask use is a ticking time bomb to creating a hot spot which will inundate Carle Hospital and shut down the region. Remember that Carle doesn’t serve just Champaign county, it serves 9% of the Illinois population.

What about online classes? I certainly am willing to consider this option but I doubt very much it will be helpful. I’ve been teaching my son and his cousins via Zoom over the summer. It is a very limited modality for teaching physical culture. In addition, some of my full-time martial arts instructors did Zoom classes after the shut down. This lasted about three weeks before people stopped calling in.

Why not go rogue and meet anyway? I believe this is ethically wrong and for an art focused on defense of the self, stupid. The type of training we do has the highest risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 which most of us won’t have much trouble with but a few of us will have serious complications from. By increasing transmission we are putting our community at risk and that seem’s antithetical to our mission statement of building better people who can defend themselves.

So what are the options? You are certainly more than welcome to make your own choices and there are community gyms that are open. That choice is yours. There are a ton of online resources that you can use if you want to learn but be social distant. Another option is monogamous training partnerships so that if someone gets sick it’s easy to trace and shut down. Do not use Goshin Jitsuka social media channels to organize unofficial practices or meet ups. I will delete your message as well as block and ban you from our sites.

Best regards,
Joker

Appendix:

Reproduced from https://covid19.illinois.edu/fall-2020-instruction-faq/

“Campus Recreation plans to reopen in the fall. The hours, activities and facilities we are able to open are contingent on many evolving factors, including those related to staff safety. Campus Recreation will implement a variety of new safety measures, including but not limited to:
• Emphasizing cleaning/sanitization of high touch areas;
• Removing/closing machines and limiting activities to comply with social distancing guidelines in our free exercise areas;
• Limiting activities and programs to those that comply with safety rules (gatherings of 50 or fewer);
• Closing off spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained (e.g. free weight room, locker room);
• Postponing services that require shared equipment (e.g. towels, sports equipment);
• Increasing ventilation rates and better HVAC air filtion;
• COVID barriers and single entry/exit points to help protect employees and customers at our service stations.

Intramurals and Club Sports offering will be contingent on the nature of the activity and the ability to adhere to the standards above. For some activities, we expect that will not be possible for the fall term.

Registered student organizations are independent of the University. However, there are expectations when using University resources (i.e. space for meeting/events, funding). All registered student organizations will be provided information on safety guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and the campus. University staff will work with registered student organizations to plan their events in compliance with the guidelines.”

Fall 2020 Instruction FAQ – COVID-19 Fall 2020 Instruction FAQ After considerable thought, careful evaluation of possible scenarios and broad consultation, we have decided that we will resume on-campus instruction for the Fall 2020 semester in a manner modified to address the ongoing pandemic concerns. This semester will consist of a b...

University of Illinois system reopening plan.

While it is exciting and frightening that the U of I will welcome 50,000 people back to Champaign in Fall 2020, the limits due to social distancing and masks will make practice a challenge next semester. We will be awaiting further guidance as the semester approaches.

Fall semester plans announced A message was sent today to University of Illinois System students, faculty and staff regarding plans to resume on-campus activities next fall at its universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield.

All gave some and some gave all. Today we remember those who died for freedom.

Training will look very different in the next 12 to 18 months than it has in the past. Our ability to resume practice will depend on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s assessment of risk to students, staff, and faculty for Fall 2020. At this time it is unlikely any practice will be possible this Summer.

Illinois COVID-19 Reopening and What I Think It Means for Combat Sports Disclaimer: What follows is not medical advice. The best way to avoid COVID-19 is NOT to train until herd immunity has been established or...

🖊 DiHan Yang

I think it's a good read. But of course I wrote it.

Commentary on Reopening Combat Sports in the COVID-19 Pandemic Let me preface this with a little about non-combat sports me. I’m a doctor. An internist by training who now does mostly palliative care wit...