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Like with most walks of life, the current coronavirus pandemic has impacted the MMA bubble greatly.

Promotions have canceled shows. Fighters have made adjustments in training and nutrition. Many of competitors have lost their upcoming fights. For up-and-coming heavyweight Chandler Cole, the pandemic has hit harder than most.

On April 11, Cole (5-2 MMA) lost his grandfather Carl Messer, 65, to the virus, four days after the initial diagnosis.

“I’m just there for my mom right now, trying to make sure her days are better than what they can be,” Cole told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “(I’m) just trying to make it better for her. … In my area, we hadn’t had a case. My grandfather was the second case in the Southwest Virginia region. He got diagnosed on a Monday and died on a Friday.”

Coronavirus debate dictates today’s public discussion. It’s unavoidable. What should be done? How serious is the virus? Should more restrictions be implemented? Should current restrictions be repealed?

In Cole’s eyes, the public needs to air on the side of caution. People outside of the highest at-risk demographics should still follow the recommended safety measures.

“I know that if you get it and you’re younger, you may not be affected from it, you may not die from this,” Cole said. “But someone very close to you who gets it may not have the same fate. If you’re going into your local grocery stores or something, truly practice social distancing.”

On Facebook, Cole has seen numerous posts and comments from his friends which say the coronavirus is overblown. Cole’s family tragedy is an example of the contrary, he said.

“Right now, I have a big problem with people in my local area,” Cole said. “They’ll post stuff on Facebook like, ‘This is a joke. This is ain’t as serious as people make it out to be.’ I’m the only one in our area right now who’s had a victim due to the coronavirus. It’s just the start. I want people to realize.

“I hope none of you have to go through that. My mom was adopted, and this is her biological father. She’s already lost the two people that adopted her. This was her last parent. They re-bonded after she turned 18. This was her last parent. It really hit home for her. Now she don’t have nobody.”

For many Americans, the coronavirus may just be something that exists on television. Outside of working from home, its impact may not be felt by them or their loved ones. But that can change in an instant. Cole hopes he can make the public realize this by spreading his message.

“I just wish people would take it more seriously,” Cole said. “You don’t know when it’s going to be your mom or you dad or your brother or your sister or your grandparents. You never know when it’s going to be someone close who gets it and doesn’t win that fight. This is bigger than fighting in a cage. This is life we’re talking about, and I wish people would take it seriously.

“That one person that gets it that’s been getting chemo? They may pass away from it. A person who’s been sick for a while they may pass away from it. This isn’t a time to talk political. This isn’t a time to be stubborn. This is a time for us to put our egos away and our selfishness away. Let’s come together as humans and realize this isn’t a joke. We really need to be more cautious about what we do and how we go about things. You never know. You actions, what you do, may be a reason why a life is saved.”