Kansas high school sports during COVID-19? This isn’t gonna go well
Our state’s top health official shared his thoughts this week on a decision by the Kansas State High School Activities Association to move forward with high school sports amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
To paraphrase: This isn’t gonna go well.
“I don’t have a crystal ball, but I think it’s going to be a problem,” said Dr. Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health & Environment, during a news conference Wednesday.
You don’t need a crystal ball to see how reckless the KSHSAA board’s decision could be.
Just glance at reports showing the prevalence of COVID-19 across the state. Listen to health experts warn that large crowds aren’t safe, and that high-risk activities such as soccer and football should be postponed.
Watch Major League Baseball teams struggle to contain outbreaks and keep athletes healthy. Look at college conferences delaying training camps and shortening seasons.
To think Kansas schools can protect athletes from exposure when professional teams can’t — with their millions of dollars and expansive testing protocols — is not just foolhardy. It’s potentially dangerous.
In June, a high school athlete in Lost Springs contracted the virus during summer conditioning despite recommended safety measures, including temperature checks, social distancing, and disinfecting protocols.
In Wichita, leaders of the state’s largest district wisely opted to delay classes for students until Sept. 8, saying teachers, students and parents would need extra time to adjust to safety protocols.
The KSHSAA decision — made via teleconference because of COVID safety measures — sends student athletes back to group practices as early as Aug. 17.
Sedgwick County’s current order on public gatherings allows sports practices, games and tournaments. Even more disturbing, though, is a “limit” on mass gatherings that isn’t much of a limit at all — stadiums or gymnasiums could open to spectators as long as groups stay 6 feet apart and the total attendance doesn’t exceed 2,000.
Thankfully, the KSHSAA board’s decision isn’t the last word on fall sports. School districts could choose to postpone sports and other activities until students can be better protected from exposure — and they should.
At the very least, Wichita board members should acknowledge that if it’s too risky for in-person classes, it’s too risky for extracurricular activities as well.