America laughing as tables turn after lockdown

In every metric available to compare Australia and the United States there isn’t one that swings the way of the Home and the Brave.

But, on Thursday there was the first a small victory for the United States amid the ruin of its battle with COVID-19.

In a country still averaging more than 24,000 cases a day, the laughter will be little more than a whimper — but the sight of a rocking, record crowd at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden on Thursday contrasted violently with the announcement that all AFL matches in Melbourne will be played behind closed doors without fans.

Director Spike Lee celebrates during game two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks.Source:AFP

The comparison was not lost on Collingwood great Dane Swan, who took to Twitter to shake his head at the situation.

The vocal lockdown critic posted: “How f***ed is it that we have just watched a full crowd at Madison square garden going beserk and here we are in melbourne going back into lockdown. Who would of thought”.

An empty Marvel Stadium during the 2020 season.Source:News Corp Australia

Watching the Knicks’ second playoff game against Phoenix in New York was tough viewing for all Aussie sports fans, facing the prospect of an uncertain sporting fixture future.

It was particularly grim while the Knicks set a new record of 15,000 fans attending the game — the largest indoor crowd in New York since the start of the pandemic.

Capacity was reduced from 20,000 and reports claim 90 per cent of spectators were vaccinated.

NBA: Russell Westbrook was pelted with popcorn as he exited game 2 against Philly with an ankle injury….

NBA: Russell Westbrook was pelted with popcorn as he exited game 2 against Philly with an ankle injury.

The got to watch on as the Knicks levelled the series with the Suns 1-1.

It seems unthinkable, inexplicable that the tables could have turned after the AFL hosted the world record crowd of 78,113 fans at the annual Anzac Day game at the MCG just four weeks ago.

The scenes left the world stunned – but the return to lockdown has made the incredible spectacle a very distant memory.

For the United States, meanwhile, the daily COVID-19 updates can’t ever be forgotten.

New York alone has recorded more than 56,000 COVID-19 related deaths. The United States has recorded more than 592,000 COVID-19 related deaths.

Source: Read Full Article