Hockey team can’t get refund for bus after coronavirus (COVID-19) canceled state hockey championship

NOVI – The Little Caesar’s 16U Boys Travel Hockey Team practiced hard all year and played their hearts out.

They were headed to Marquette for the state championship when the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak canceled everything.

Their parents had to come up with $4,000 for a bus to take everybody to the championship. The coach, team manager and a player’s mother called GTS Transportation in Brownstown to get a refund.

“The general manager has been quite smug to deal with,” mother Amy Giganti said.

Giganti said they were told “too bad, no refunds.”

She took her frustrations to Facebook and more than 3,000 shares later GTS owner Bill Cox and his staff started getting hate calls and emails.

“I literally lost all my income. I lost my business that I’ve been building for 15 years. I lost every ounce of work and I don’t know when it’s going to end,” Cox said.

He disputes that his general manager had been rude to anybody, but knows people are frustrated and on edge.

“I don’t have that much money to give back,” he said.

Cox said he’s fighting to stay afloat during the pandemic so that there will be a business to come back to.

He said that while he can’t afford to give a refund now, it is possible once things stabilize.

Giganti said she would like to see the $4,000 refunded to the team.

She’s holding out hope that it will eventually happen.

For GTS, spring is their busy season after slow winter months. The pandemic is hitting them at the time of year they depend on to make money.

MORE: What the CDC says you should do if you believe you have coronavirus (COVID-19)

How COVID-19 Spreads

Person-to-person spread

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Can someone spread the virus without being sick?

  • Spread is possible before people show symptoms. People who are not showing symptoms can still be carrying the virus and can still pass it on to other people.

Spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

How easily the virus spreads

How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, spreading continually without stopping.

Prevention & Treatment

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Click here for more guidelines from the CDC.

People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

Question about coronavirus? Ask Dr. McGeorge here.

Read more about coronavirus here.


About the Authors:

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.