Youth Sports During Covid-19
Episode 20, Oct 15, 2021, 11:28 PM
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Additional Resources: OHA COVID-19 vaccine website, OHA COVID-19 vaccination rates by race and ethnicity, OHA and Oregon Department of Education Guidance for Caregivers, Parents and Families, CDC Youth Sports Communication Toolkit, OSAA communications (Masks, Officials, Vaccination Mandate), AAU Basketball COVID-19 event procedures, Ask a Black Doctor on The Numberz, REACH webpage and Facebook, OHA Facebook COVID-19.
Q1: Youth Sports Risk? Depends on location and sport. Indoor, poorly ventilated, and close-contact sports are higher risk (e.g., wrestling, basketball). Outdoor and distanced sports are lower risk (e.g., golf). Football is outdoors but involves frequent close contact. Swimming is indoor and close contact. Every activity has some risk.
Q2: Sharing Equipment? For weight training, follow CDC gym recommendations: wipe equipment before/after use. Schools should regularly clean facilities. Coaches should remind players to keep hands away from face and use the back of their arm to wipe sweat during practice/competition.
Q3: Masks in Competition/Practice? No, per OSAA, masks are not required for students actively playing or practicing competitive sports (indoors/outdoors), including cheerleading/dance/drill. Masks are required on sidelines, in weight rooms, for all spectators, and for officials when not actively officiating.
Q4: Officials/Referees Vaccination? Yes, sports officials are contractors to OSAA schools and must be fully vaccinated or have a medical/religious exception by October 18, 2021, to officiate school events.
Q5: AAU Basketball Participation? AAU guidelines include: hand sanitizer for players/coaches, AAU provides and disinfects basketballs, scorer’s tables, and benches. Athletes bring their own water bottles. Modified greetings instead of handshakes. Athletes and coaches must wear masks on the bench.
Q6: Parents Helping Prevent COVID-19 Spread? Open communication is key. If a child or household member gets COVID-19, inform the coach for contact tracing and potential practice rescheduling. It's not shameful; knowing how the Delta variant spreads protects the community. Understand your school district's COVID-19 safety measures and voice concerns. Check other programs' safety procedures (e.g., Portland Parks and Recreation). Stay home if sick to prevent spread and avoid canceling future games. Vaccination (for those 12+) is the best protection. Talk to family/friends/teammates about getting vaccinated (GetVaccinated.Oregon.gov).
Document Accessibility: OHA provides information in alternate formats (translations, large print, braille). Contact the Health Information Center at 1-971-673-2411, 711 TTY, or COVID19.LanguageAccess@dhsoha.state.or.us.
Q1: Youth Sports Risk? Depends on location and sport. Indoor, poorly ventilated, and close-contact sports are higher risk (e.g., wrestling, basketball). Outdoor and distanced sports are lower risk (e.g., golf). Football is outdoors but involves frequent close contact. Swimming is indoor and close contact. Every activity has some risk.
Q2: Sharing Equipment? For weight training, follow CDC gym recommendations: wipe equipment before/after use. Schools should regularly clean facilities. Coaches should remind players to keep hands away from face and use the back of their arm to wipe sweat during practice/competition.
Q3: Masks in Competition/Practice? No, per OSAA, masks are not required for students actively playing or practicing competitive sports (indoors/outdoors), including cheerleading/dance/drill. Masks are required on sidelines, in weight rooms, for all spectators, and for officials when not actively officiating.
Q4: Officials/Referees Vaccination? Yes, sports officials are contractors to OSAA schools and must be fully vaccinated or have a medical/religious exception by October 18, 2021, to officiate school events.
Q5: AAU Basketball Participation? AAU guidelines include: hand sanitizer for players/coaches, AAU provides and disinfects basketballs, scorer’s tables, and benches. Athletes bring their own water bottles. Modified greetings instead of handshakes. Athletes and coaches must wear masks on the bench.
Q6: Parents Helping Prevent COVID-19 Spread? Open communication is key. If a child or household member gets COVID-19, inform the coach for contact tracing and potential practice rescheduling. It's not shameful; knowing how the Delta variant spreads protects the community. Understand your school district's COVID-19 safety measures and voice concerns. Check other programs' safety procedures (e.g., Portland Parks and Recreation). Stay home if sick to prevent spread and avoid canceling future games. Vaccination (for those 12+) is the best protection. Talk to family/friends/teammates about getting vaccinated (GetVaccinated.Oregon.gov).
Document Accessibility: OHA provides information in alternate formats (translations, large print, braille). Contact the Health Information Center at 1-971-673-2411, 711 TTY, or COVID19.LanguageAccess@dhsoha.state.or.us.