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Chmelka 'Helpless' But Sympathetic During Pandemic, And For Good Reason

Like many of us a few weeks ago, Chuck Chmelka felt uncertain about what threats the COVID-19 coronavirus really imposed, somewhat skeptical of the precautionary measures health experts advised.

Still, he heeded the warnings and didn't need long to fully comprehend the reasoning behind them. That's what happens when people you know have been infected with a virus that's caused a global pandemic.

"It does hit home more," said Chmelka, the Nebraska men's gymnastics coach. "Before I knew these guys had it, part of me was like, 'Do I really have to do this, do I really have to do that?