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>> TODAY, THE CONFERENCE RELEASED A STATEMENT. IT SAYS IN PART THE PRIORITY OF THE BIG 12 CONFERENCE IS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS, COACHES, ADMINISTRATORS, AND FANS AS WE CONTINUE TO MONITOR ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION ON THE VIRUS ITS IMPACT ON HOSTING EVENTS IN PUBLIC SPACES. WE SPOKE WITH THE COMMISSIONER. HE SAYS THE SPRINT CENTER WILL BE CHARGED WITH KEEPING THE FACILITY CLEAN AND THERE WILL BE EFFORTS MADE TO KEEP FANS IN THE MEDIA AT A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE PLAYERS. >> THAT IS PART OF THE DIFFICULTY. THERE ARE NOT DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. IT IS VERY MUCH MAKE DECISIONS AS YOU GO. IT WOULD NOT BE ENTIRELY SURPRISING IF WE HAD SOME PEOPLE WHO MIGHT CONSIDER THEMSELVES IN THE RANGE OF HIGHER RISK WHO WOULD STAY HOME. >> THE COMMISSIONER ALSO SANG WHILE IT IS FULL STEAM AHEAD RIGH

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The Big 12 basketball men's and women's basketball tournaments are moving ahead as planned even with concerns about the coronavirus.Crews spent Monday setting up the fan walk."If the tournament(s) were happening today, I would feel a little better," said Dr. Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said Tuesday the tournament will go on. "The priority of the Big 12 Conference is to ensure the safety of our students, coaches, administrators, event staff and fans as we continue to monitor all relevant information on the COVID-19 virus and its impact on hosting events in public spaces," the conference said in a statement Tuesday."At this time, the Phillips 66 Big 12 Basketball Championships will continue as scheduled with additional preventive measures. The Conference will continue to consult with the KU Medical Center as well as other local and state public health departments, host facilities and the NCAA leading up to and during these events to implement best practices and provide the most current information. We encourage those attending the games to closely follow the CDC hygiene and prevention recommendations relating to COVID-19."Norman said there are some concerns with large gatherings but added that canceling events at this point may not be necessary."Gatherings of people I think is something that we have not altered in the state of Kansas. We don't have any community spread yet in Kansas that would necessarily justify it," Norman said.His advice starts with cleaning your seat."Make sure you clean the seat you're sitting on, the armrest. If someone is coughing next to you, maybe see if you can find someplace else," Norman said.VisitKC sent out a statement on the events."Our No. 1 goal is the safety and well-being of our residents, visitors and convention attendees. Kansas City is a safe, welcoming destination and we look forward to hosting several major events this spring.""I would favor moving ahead at this moment in time. But I'll tell you, this is changing every day and we might have some different reason to believe something else tomorrow," Norman said.