«The fear is even higher now. You don't even have to be sick to think you've contracted Covid, a positive test is enough and all your preparation is in vain.", words of Wout Van Aert. And yet: «Soon we will have to consider no longer relying on a positive test. We will have to start looking at Covid the same way we look at other diseases."
The Belgian questioned the attitude of the club, and indirectly also of theUCI, regarding Covid.
One wonders, then, whether he's right that certain restrictions are excessive. The issue is far from trivial. The Omicron variant has thrown the healthcare system and, once again, society into disarray. This time, faced with an impressive number of positive cases, he held firm.
Given the delicate subject, we asked Dr. Emilio Magni, in the professional world for years, today working forAstana Qazaqstan of "his" Vincenzo Nibali.
Doctor Magni, is Van Aert right then?
I'd say yes. We all need to think about the pandemic being revisited. It was a devastating event socially, psychologically, economically, and health-wise... but now its scale is less severe than in recent months.
Despite Omicron…
Right. Omicron, which was highly contagious, had a milder epidemiological aggressiveness. And this has been the case for ordinary citizens and athletes. Therefore, measures must be taken to limit restrictions. However, this must not be underestimated.
That?
The fact that it's less contagious shouldn't make us forget what this pandemic was like in the past. We mustn't let our guard down.
If riders test positive for Covid, what does the current regulation say?
From the first positive result, there is a one-week suspension. A swab is done, even an antigen one is fine. If this is negative, the athlete can undergo a fitness test, the "Return to Play”. If this also says that everything is okay, the rider can resume his activity.
Even if they have never had symptoms, should they stop?
Yes: even if they haven't shown any symptoms. It's better for them to stay put. Let's not forget that their "engines" are always revving to the max. A gradual and moderate recovery is preferable. After Covid, some people were ready right away, while others paid a bit more and took time to feel good again.
Ciccone's example at the 2020 Giro d'Italia is emblematic in this regard. Giulio trained even during Covid, and despite recovering, he had severe breathing difficulties during that period. So asymptomatic people don't even do roller training?
Not currently: the protocol is quite restrictive. It's best to do nothing, at least initially. Fortunately, we've seen that this latest wave isn't prolonging. On average, after 4-6 days the test becomes negative. But, I repeat, even if there are no symptoms, bigger problems are just around the corner.
Was Omicron less aggressive because there were vaccines?
Thanks to the vaccine, we're certainly moving toward a remission of infections. But we're also moving toward that because virus variants are, essentially, a "defeat" for the virus itself. To take root, the virus must mutate, and as it mutates, it loses strength, even though it can still sometimes cause problems.
In short, to put it very simply, doctor, can we now compare Covid to the flu that comes every year?
I would say yes. Fortunately, the symptoms are few. But I realize that even psychologically, after two years of fighting it, it's not easy. It can be compared to the flu, but it's important to be careful.
A vaccine for (almost) everyone, a less severe virus, and greater awareness of Covid: it's hoped that athletes won't soon be stopped if they test positive. And that the “swab concept” is even abandoned. But how? Will symptoms determine an athlete's condition? We'll see how the scientific community responds. In the meantime, let's enjoy the crowds on the streets we saw again in Belgium.
