PLANNING TO PLAY
Bay Staters balk at comments that youth sports spread virus
Coronavirus spread through sports could be throwing a curveball at pandemic recovery, the CDC warns — but locals say they see minimal risk for kids who want to take the field.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky said new data shows “reports of clusters of cases associated with daycare centers and youth sports.”
“In areas of substantial or high community transmission, CDC Guidance specifically suggests refraining from youth sports that are not outside and cannot be conducted at least six feet apart,” Walensky said recently.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health continues to monitor the situation at the local level, where area sports directors breathed a sigh of relief as practices and games moved back outdoors for the spring.
But many of the season’s sports — including lacrosse and youth soccer — are deemed “moderate” or “higher risk” activities as outlined by the reopening guidelines set by Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration. Leagues ranging from public and private high schools down to local Little League have had to instate coronavirus-specific rules and guidelines.
“So far, everyone has been following them,” said Christine Habermann, executive director for Mass Bay Girls Lacrosse League.
Habermann’s league has more than 115 teams competing this spring. She said they played last summer and in the fall, with significant modifications to make the game safer from a transmission perspective. She’s seen three games canceled for teams going into quarantine due to contact tracing, but no serious issues.
“They know their job,” she said, in response to Walensky’s comments. “But we’re doing everything we possibly can.”
That sentiment was echoed by Gargi Cooper, safety officer for Swampscott Youth Soccer.
“Everyone is vigilant and just wants the kids to play,” she said.
The council governing the youth soccer program held training around coronavirus safety before the season kicked off, and they enforce mask wearing and contact tracing. They’re in touch with the local health board with kids’ attendance, and she’s found participating families to be transparent about their own safety measures.
“We already had one parent who said, ‘I’ve been deemed a close contact. Can my kid still play?’ I think it’s really great that people are honest and open,” she said.
Both Habermann and Cooper said they’ll comply with any directives from state and local officials, but
‘Everyone is vigilant and just wants the kids to play.’
GARGI COOPER safety officer for Swampscott Youth Soccer
right now, those don’t prohibit play.
“Everything is unique when it comes to sports, and who’s following guidelines, and what guidelines are,” Habermann said in response to the CDC comments. “It can’t possible be a blanket statement that applies to everyone.”
“We’ve all seen he mental health impact of having our kids not be able to play,” Cooper said. “We’re just grateful to be able to offer programming.”