Reirden's concerns about coronavirus extend beyond hockey
Capitals coach's 17-year-old son has immune system disorder, pandemic can 'get scary for someone like him'
That's because the Washington Capitals coach's 17-year-old son, Travis, has common variable immunodeficiency, an immune system disorder that makes it difficult for his body to fight off bacteria and viruses. Since he was diagnosed at the age of 9, the Reirdens have had to worry about limiting Travis' exposure to germs.
But news about the coronavirus and those most vulnerable to it brought additional fears.
"It certainly has made it a different situation in the Reirden household," Reirden said Monday during a conference call. "When first news came out of who was going to be most affected by this, obviously it was the elderly and people with compromised immune system, and immediately Travis, who's now 17, goes to the top of that list. … It's something that we've had to really stay on top of."
Even before the NHL paused the 2019-20 regular season on March 12 and schools were closed due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, Travis had been confined to the Reirdens' home in Virginia for more than a month because of a bout with the flu. Although Travis was feeling better by then, because he needs additional time following illnesses to rebuild his immune system, he'd yet to return to school, which Reirden called, "a little bit of a fortunate break."
Still, the Reirdens visited with two different doctors, including an immunologist, on March 16 and 17 to get Travis checked and decide on the best approach for him.
"We were there at that doctor on Monday (March 16), a different one on Tuesday, and then once they received some result of his bloodwork that, given his situation, he was in a good spot, that certainly eased the anxiety around our household between Shelby, my wife, and I and Travis," Reirden said. "But we've really had to be careful about what we're bringing into the house and not leaving and making sure that if we do go out and do something, that we basically leave all of our clothes at the door and make sure that they get washed and wash our hands and make sure we're really making the right choices because it can get scary for someone like him."
Travis was healthy enough to attend the NHL All-Star Game, when his father coached the Metropolitan Division, the past two seasons and stood behind the bench with his dad for the NHL All-Star Skills each time. But there are also times, such as Travis' recent bout with the flu, when he has to be extra cautious.
When Travis was out of school, a tutor would come to the Reirdens' house to help him keep up with his studies. But with the tutor no longer permitted, he's doing his schoolwork online like most other students.
Travis is also forgoing for now his monthly treatments, which involve a nurse coming to his home to give him transfusions of human plasma, a procedure that takes 4-6 hours.
"It was our decision that we made that during this virus and shutdown time that it would not be a good idea to have someone coming into our house at this time," Reirden said. "And Travis felt that someone who had that type of specialization and health background that they should be out helping others who are going through this virus right now, and if we could do it as long as we could and he was still feeling healthy then he would go without right now, without any treatments, unless there was an issue."
Although his son understandably is his top priority, Reirden has been thinking a lot about hockey too. Reirden checks in each morning with Capitals head athletic trainer Jason Serbus and said no players or staff members have experienced any symptoms or tested positive for the coronavirus so far.
For a variety of reasons, Reirden continues to hope the NHL can eventually resume the season. The Capitals (41-20-8) are in first place in the Metropolitan Division, one point ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers, and were optimistic about their chances of winning the Stanley Cup for the second time in three seasons.
Reirden has already mapped out a six-day training camp plan based off his experience as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins following the lockout that delayed the start of the 2012-13 season, but to Reirden, resuming the season would signify more than being able to get back to coaching.
"If we are going to be playing hockey again this year, which I really hope we are, that means that we've got this virus in a good spot," Reirden said. "And that's the exciting thing, that the health and safety of people is not being violated again, and now that means we're able to start to get back to real life and doing things how they're intended to be done. So any sign of hockey will be obviously a great thing to be a part of and get back to being a part of that dream and the goal that our team had to start the year, and that was to get back and get that Stanley Cup back here in D.C. and the surrounding areas."
