Officials haven’t been enforcing players to wear masks over their noses during the 2020 Fall sports season.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages athletes to “bring supplies to help you and others stay healthy—for example, masks (bring extra), hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol…” The CDC says playing a full sports competition indoor is a high-risk activity for Covid. 

Mrs. Witt, a nurse at Beaumont Hospital and mom of three student-athletes, explained, “I mean the alternative is to not play sports at all but I don’t think kids or parents like that idea. We have to weigh the options carefully and if you wear masks as a good compromise in my eyes so that kids can play sports but do it in the best way possible”

Assistant Coach Jeffrey Wassel of the Plymouth-Canton Force Basketball team (and West Middle School parent) also believes all kids should be wearing masks while playing sports. The Force Basketball season started on September 24, 2020.  

Jake Newman, West seventh-grader and Force basketball player, believes athletes should be wearing masks, “Yes because everyone is sweating and breathing…It’s hard to breathe so you get tired faster.” 

People feel safer with everyone’s mask over their entire face. However, some athletes claim that the mask is hard to breathe.

The CDC also suggests these tips for athletes to stay safe:

• Stay home if sick.
• Players should bring their own equipment, like gloves and bats, if possible.
• Reduce physical closeness and keep 6 feet of space between players when possible.
• Wear a mask if possible.
• Players should clean their hands before and after practices, games, and sharing equipment.
• Tell a coach or staff member if you don’t feel well.