Caution being used with virus

respecting with a bow, whatever the case is, but no handshaking at this point.”

The World Health Organization has reported there have been close to 100,000 cases of the virus globally, with more than 80,000 in China, where the first case was confirmed. There have been almost 3,000 deaths from the virus in China, according to the WHO. It has spread to more than 80 countries, including the United States, where there have been several confirmed deaths.

The outbreak has made an impact on soccer pitches around the world.

All sporting events in Italy, including Serie A matches, will be played without fans in attendance for at least the next month, the Italian government announced on Wednesday.

Ligue 1, the highest tier of soccer in France, has restricted handshakes between players and referees.

Those measures have yet to be taken in the U.S. before, during and after national team matches, MLS matches and NWSL matches, among other leagues. However, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday Los Angeles County officials have discussed the idea of at LAFC and LA Galaxy home matches being played without fans because the county is under a health emergency.

Prior to the opening match of the SheBelieves Cup between Japan and Spain, USA Soccer showed a video at Exploria Stadium with six ways on how to stop the spread of the virus.

Spain coach Jorge Vilda said his team is following medical guidelines.

“We are calm and concerned,” he said.

The amount of travel teams do during a season, both domestically and internationally, also increases the risk of catching any illness.

USWNT midfielder Carli Lloyd has been more of a fist bump and elbow bump person for five years. Her teammates have given her flack for it, but for now, they’ll be following her lead.

“I think in general, the lives we live, we travel in airplanes which [are] some of the dirtiest places to be in, airports, buses, everything,” midfielder Carli Lloyd said. “I’ve always tried to be very conscious of washing my hands because when you’re flying and when you’re traveling, you get run down, so you’re picking up sicknesses a lot easier.

“But yeah, it’s obviously a bit of a concern, but I know that US Soccer and our medical staff is gonna do everything to put us in a good position, in a healthy situation. So yeah, just keep washing those hands.” not