In spite of my punk-rock upbringing, I was an early convert to the COVID-19 lock downs.
The track record of peer-reviewed science speaks for itself. Our entire world, from the food we eat to how we get around or even communicate on a day-to-day basis would not exist without it. Our average lifespans would be decades shorter if it weren't for modern medicine.
So as a general rule of thumb, when scientists tell me doing something is good for my health, I try to listen as best I can.
All that being said, I think the efforts by our local stable of pro-wrestlers are being ignored. It seems to me that the spirit of what Dr. Kami Kandola is asking of northerners is being respected by Totally Arctic Wrestling.
First off, they're doing the right thing in checking ahead, but their complaints about how fuzzy the criterion is seem legit. Having a "fave five" you can hang out with at your house? Four guys in a rec room or a garage seems to fit that pretty well. Several of the TAW line-up have told me they would be more than willing to use sanitizers and shower immediately after practice if that relieves concerns.
Guidelines about physical distancing are equally vague. Outdoors, two metres of physical distancing is required. However, inside your own home it is merely recommended.
While pro-wrestling is closer to theatre than sport, the phase one rules on the government's website specifically say "Outdoor sports, with the exception of rugby, will be able to occur as long as the outdoor gathering limit is maintained." Why just rugby? Don't people play football up here? Field hockey? Lacrosse? Duck Duck Goose? Those all involve physical contact.
TAW founder Dez Loreen made the point that he's still able to play-wrestle with his kid, so is adopting three wrestlers as brothers that far out of the rules? Especially since you can get a professional massage or a pedicure from someone outside your "fave five"?
A Karate club recently re-opened in Yellowknife with strict conditions on no sparring or physical contact, instead only practicing katas and technique. Obviously with a large student body and members coming and going after class, this sort of structure makes sense. But that's totally not how pro-wrestlers train. They need to make sure the throws, holds and bodyslams they're putting on each other not only look good but aren't going to put them in wheelchairs. That takes a lot of reps.
Lastly, with the ongoing tragic comedy that is the rest of the world's response to COVID-19; I think it's safe to say people really could use a break from reality by now. You can only watch re-runs so many times and not everyone can afford pay per view. Many sport leagues are still debating whether to have seasons or not and we can't all expect to just play video games until it's over.
Inuvik needs a dose of Totally Arctic Wrestling. If that has to be a video drama people tune in to, so be it. If they have to lock themselves into a unit like a classic Sumo Wrestling school, they seem willing to do it. If they all have to wear luchador masks, that likely won't be a problem either.
Four guys throwing each other around in a garage is not going to cause another pandemic. Just let them train.