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* UPDATED x1 * Pritzker puts restrictions on youth sports

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* Gov. Pritzker…

Today we’re going to discuss youth sports. As I’ve noted previously among incidents that lead to higher rates of community spread. The outbreaks tied to youth sports are particularly troubling.

During a previous update I noted that dozens of students and parents tested positive in a Lake Zurich outbreak that was worsened by sports camps and a teen softball league in Knox County was plagued by similar issues.

On its own, and for the safety of its players and families, the Central Illinois Youth Football League entirely canceled its youth season. On Sunday, the football program in Tuscola, Illinois cut off all activities until further notice.

Nationally over half of states have districts that have shut down training, due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

Whether they’re new to the game, or have been training since they could walk, kids want to play sports. Parents want to cheer from the stands and watch the kids succeed and offer some occasionally unsolicited advice for the next game.

Some young people are working toward a scholarship so that they can fund their college education. These are incredibly important moments in the lives of our children and our families and interrupting the season for our athletes and their fans is not a choice that anyone wants to make.

But when the multi million dollar, multi billion dollar sports leagues with multi million dollar athletes are struggling to protect their players, it’s obvious that there won’t be enough protection for kids on our school playing fields. The NBA has resorted to containing its players in aOrlando, to press on with its season, MLB is facing down a major outbreak just days into its abbreviated fan free season.

This virus is unrelenting, and it spreads so easily that no amount of restriction seems to keep it off the playing field or out of the locker room.

And it’s very painful, frankly, for all of us to make this realization. But with rising rates of spread of the virus, with rising positivity rates throughout Illinois, and the entire United States, this is a situation where the toughest choice is also the safest choice.

Therefore today, my administration is releasing new guidance restricting youth and adult recreational organized sports in Illinois. That Aincludes school based sports such as those governing governed by the IHSA and IES, travel clubs, private leagues, recreational leagues and sports centers and Park District sports programs, just to name a few. In the array of examples, we have worked in consultation with the governing bodies of many of these organized sports programs and collectively. We hope that when metrics and risks improve measurably, we will be able to restart the sports. I want to be clear that the restrictions issued today do not include professional sports leagues, or collegiate level sports.

I know our hearts break when we hear the word restrictions, especially when it comes to our children’s love for their sports, whether this year is their first time on the court, or it’s their senior year season.

This isn’t news that anyone wants to hear. But this virus remains dangerous to kids and parents and grandparents, teachers and coaches and for right now. This is the best thing that we can do for the health and safety of our families. Under the current circumstances, based upon their inherent risk level and based upon minimal contact between athletes and their proximity during play. There are certain sports whose seasons can move forward with more limited restrictions. Tennis and baseball as examples simply don’t carry the higher risk inherent in contact sports like wrestling and football. That differentiation is reflected in these guidelines which categorize each sport into three overarching risk levels, lower, medium, and higher.

Think of these guidelines like a grid. Three risk levels of sports and four tiers of levels of play, based on current public health conditions.

At each of the four tiers, different aspects of play are permitted, from no contact practices that include conditioning and training at level one to full scale tournaments in level four. Effective August 15, lower risk sports like tennis, and baseball and golf can be played at levels one, two and three, with activities like no contact practices, team scrimmages and certain competitive games allowed with IDPH safety guidelines.

Medium risk sports like basketball, soccer and volleyball can be played at levels one and two, with no contact practices and team scrimmages allowed.

And higher risk sports like football hockey and lacrosse can be played at level one with no contact practices and trainings and conditioning.

I won’t go through all the sports and what activities are allowed at each level for each sport, but you can read all about these in the guidelines on the state’s coronavirus website. I will also add that the IHSA, the independent body that regulates most school sports. is meeting now to determine how fall sports should move forward in a way that is safe.

Confusing enough?

That website is here. As I type this, the guidelines are not there.

…Adding… This is how it was quickly explained to me: Sports are categorized by risk level and then how they can play is in four levels depending on risk starting with just practice to full play. But basically high risk sports seasons are moved further out to spring. And sports like golf and tennis are low risk so can play with health guidance

*** UPDATE *** The guidance is here.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:16 pm

Comments

===Confusing enough?===

===And higher risk sports like football hockey and lacrosse can be played at level one with no contact practices and trainings and conditioning.===

I am certain that every single football coach in the state will plan on violating the prohibition on “no contact practices.”

After months of waiting for other public officials to do the responsible thing action out of the Pritzker administration is apparently an effort to still avoid making the responsible decision no matter how ludicrous it is.

When someone has to be the grown up in the room, the Governor always has to be the grown up in the room.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:24 pm
Rich,

Does that mean they are moving sports like baseball softball and track to fall since they are low risk?

Comment by Almost the weekend Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:28 pm
You are incorrect. We have conducted no contact practices for three weeks now. So “every single football coach” is not conducting no contact practices.

Don’t say things that you cannot verify to be true.

Comment by ajjacksson Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:29 pm
Which is it - guidance or directive?

Comment by Hippopotamus Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:31 pm
And furthermore…why the hangup about football?

Comment by ajjacksson Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:35 pm
“Does that mean they are moving sports like baseball softball”

are only low risk if the players are 6 feet apart in the dugout. I don’t think dugouts are that big thus considered medium risk.

Comment by 1st Ward Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:36 pm
So what level are we currently at?

Comment by Cheap Seats Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:37 pm
So can medium risk sports such as basketball, still hold non-contact practices?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:39 pm
Anon @ 12:39pm. . . the answer is yes.

Comment by Lt Guv Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:40 pm
How is basketball considered a medium risk activity? Players are constantly in close contact, activities take place primarily indoors. Seems that except for maybe football, this is the highest risk activity

Comment by Sox Fan Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:40 pm
JB has not yet seen any wrath the likes of Cheer moms and Football dads. Good luck with that

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:41 pm
=I am certain that every single football coach in the state will plan on violating the prohibition on “no contact practices.”

You might be pleasantly surprised to find out that, as a broad generalization, there are many that are following the guidelines and doing smart things.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:42 pm
The governor’s speech writers need to trim down the word count and narrative and be more direct with his messaging. “These are incredibly important moments in the lives of our children…” WE KNOW, GET ON WITH THE RULES

Comment by High Socks Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:43 pm
Note that it’s not just youth sports.

This also applies to the adult bozos playing sports and congregating in large groups on the sidelines in Lincoln Park.

Comment by Watcher of the Skies Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:44 pm
Was in a thing with someone from the IHSA last night and the ‘you are having a meeting tomorrow’ thing came up and they said part of it was what they came up with had to map to what the IDPH came up with so anything they did was dependent on that.

Looks like that guidance came.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:45 pm
===WE KNOW, GET ON WITH THE RULES ===

I must’ve muttered that a dozen times today.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:45 pm
WOW… That’s a lot to take in…

So does this mean DeVore will now become a Sports Attorney? I’m sure he’s all over this.

Comment by Just Wondering Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:47 pm
arbitrary to say the least …

“Sports are categorized based on their inherent risk level, dictated by the amount of contact between athletes and their
proximity during play”

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:51 pm
A lot to digest. Not sure why soccer is medium, there is a lot of contact when fighting for a ball. Also, not sure how you can practice wrestling without contact very effectively.

Comment by pool boy Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:53 pm
“arbitrary to say the least …”

LOL, par for the course

Comment by essentially working Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:55 pm
“arbitrary to say the least …”

What other choice is there? There aren’t perfect metrics to determine every possible exposure in every situation that may occur in every sport. When you have that many variables, you have to make your best judgement.

Comment by Lt Guv Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:55 pm
Is this effecive immediately?

Comment by Scott Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:58 pm
So move football and volleyball to spring and baseball, softball and track to fall. In the meantime work on faceshields for football helmets, have kids wear gloves and allow helmet off on sideline and extra time outs. Kids socially distance on sidelines. Basketball to me is full contact and a lot more risky.

Comment by Anna Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:58 pm
=== - Scott - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:58 pm:

Is this effecive immediately? ===

Might as well be.

Comment by Cadillac Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:00 pm
“What other choice is there?”

Allow parents and the coached and owners of private/club teams to decide what is best for their kids

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:00 pm
===I must’ve muttered that a dozen times today. ===

At words that end with g’s have g’s again.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:00 pm
=== to decide what is best for their kids ===

So any COVID-19 deaths their kids suffer should be ruled a negligent homicide?

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:01 pm
I don’t envy the position that Pritzker is in. I think the responsible thing to do would be to shut down all sports this fall - no exceptions. As soon as you start trying to define “risk” you’ll get any number or interpretations and cries for exceptions. Allow one sport to continue you’ll have a dozen others argue that their risk is less or no different. His opening remarks were correct. Billion dollar industries and individuals who’ve staked their livelihoods on this can’t get it right. What possible reason do we have to believe that high school coaches and kids will?

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:01 pm
“Allow parents and the coached and owners of private/club teams to decide what is best for their kids”

That has nothing to do with “arbitrary.” Do better.

Comment by Lt Guv Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:02 pm
==And furthermore…why the hangup about football?==

Probably because football can’t safely be played because those kids are in close contact to others on the field and unless you’re eliminating tackling your actually touching other people. Football should be canceled.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:04 pm
JB is forcing IHSA to cancel sports. So I guess the “rich” families that pay ( sacrifice ) for club level sports also had to be benched. No room for income inequality.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:06 pm
“eliminating tackling”

It’s not just tackling. Blocking by definition is a contact activity. Tackling could be replaced by flags. Without blocking, it’s not football.

Comment by Lt Guv Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:06 pm
“DeVore will now become a Sports Attorney?”

All it takes is another quarter in the gum ball machine.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:06 pm
If it all has to do with contact, why exempt the collegiate leagues?

Comment by Cadillac Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:07 pm
Allow parents and the coached and owners of private/club teams to decide what is best for their kids

As a sports official for over 35 years I have seen many instances where parents and coaches didn’t always make the best decision for the athlete (ie. playing with lightening, concussion symptoms, injured, etc). There is a reason most sports have an impartial observer arbitrate the contest.

Comment by Retired and still in Illinois Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:08 pm
== Allow parents and the coached and owners of private/club teams to decide what is best for their kids ==
To be blunt, I can guarantee virtually every club volleyball entity I paid money to would have said “we are playing and we expect you to pay even if you decide it isn’t safe for your kid”

For the for-profit club entities, it would be about the $$$.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:09 pm
== Allow parents and the coached and owners of private/club teams to decide what is best for their kids ==
To be blunt, I can guarantee virtually every club volleyball entity I paid money to would have said “we are playing and we expect you to pay even if you decide it isn’t safe for your kid”

For the for-profit club entities, it would be about the $$$.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:09 pm
“Let me decide what’s best for me and my family.” So tired of this. If you decide what’s best for your family is to be exposed and get sick and then you spread it all over town and get me and my family sick you’re making decisions for me as well. Grow up.

Comment by A Parent Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:15 pm
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 12:51 pm:

arbitrary to say the least …

“Sports are categorized based on their inherent risk level, dictated by the amount of contact between athletes and their
proximity during play”

He has obviously never seen volleyball, basketball or soccer game if he thinks they are all played with “similar proximity during play”.

Comment by Bobby Hill Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:17 pm
==Without blocking, it’s not football.==

Tell that to the Bears.

Comment by benniefly2 Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:17 pm
-those kids are in close contact to others-

Well that’s true of soccer, lacrosse, and even cross country. But, only “every” football coach will plan to violate the rules. Everybody else will follow the rules. Right.

As I said, why the hangup about football?

Comment by ajjacksson Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:19 pm
I don’t think it bad guidance by itself. However, in light of the fact that the governor is punting to local districts to make the determination when it comes to their openings and day to day operations, it seems a bit heavy handed to dictate the extracurriculars like this.

Comment by Fixer Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:21 pm
While I am disappointed with the cancelling/curtailing of sports, I have a hard time reconciling many schools going to online or hybrid learning throughout the state, yet consider it safe enough to participate in sports. Does is make sense that my wife’s school is dismissing early to avoid a crowded lunch room but a team can practice, travel and play in close contact with dozens of students for hours?

Comment by Retired and still in Illinois Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:23 pm
From the CDC 7/23/20: “This is consistent with data from both virus and antibody testing, suggesting that children are not the primary drivers of COVID-19 spread in schools or in the community”

From Pritzker today: “This virus is unrelenting, and it spreads so easily that no amount of restriction seems to keep it off the playing field or out of the locker room.”

So which is it?

Comment by Nicole Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:25 pm
“This also applies to the adult bozos playing sports and congregating in large groups on the sidelines in Lincoln Park.”

I am one of those bozos and have let the team know.

Comment by 1st Ward Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:26 pm
Is JB using the EO or Public Act 093- AN ACT concerning public health emergencies. To enable
this action?

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:33 pm
== I am certain that every single football coach in the state will plan on violating the prohibition on “no contact practices.” ==

No they will not.

Because kids get hurt in practice and you have to explain how they get hurt and trying to convince someone that Timmy got a concussion from a non-contact drill isn’t going to fly. So if you are a school coach you are in trouble with your district. If you are a youth coach, it’s going to be awkward explaining to a parent, no less a lawyer why you decided to violate the rules. That liability waver is going to be a bit easier to breach if you were doing something you were not supposed to be doing. I used to coach youth football and I officiate with the IHSA, Football (using this as a collective) understands the old ways of rub some dirt on it and ‘you only got your bell rung’ don’t work anymore.

Besides for all of that, unless you are currently actively involved in football I suspect you would be shocked how little hitting goes on in practice now. Many youth leagues have had restrictions on it for years (at least the last 10) and there is less of it in HS.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:34 pm
“Not primary drivers” does not equal either immune or unable to pass it on.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:34 pm
Nicole “which is it” CDC has been editing recommendations to satisfy external demands so I think I would go with Pritzker and what IDPH has developed. We still do not have enough scientific information to know how this spreads with young adults. Also if young adults do not get seriously infected we still do not know long term impacts. Data from other viruses (Spanish flu, polio etc) show that for those viruses there was an impact that showed when infected children later became adults. We will learn about this virus for generations to come.

Comment by illinifan Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:35 pm
I have been involved in sports in some form since I was in 3rd Grade, including coahing youth football on and off since the 1980’s,…there are a variety of common sense solutions that would meet safety protocols and allow many actovities to proceed, includng reconfiguring when certain sports are played such as spring football, adjust the format (CC could move to a time trial start format spreading runners out), and other measures. It does not need to be an all or nothing decision.

Comment by Dave Fako / Fako Research & Strategies Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:37 pm
“During a previous update I noted that dozens of students and parents tested positive in a Lake Zurich outbreak that was worsened by sports camps”

The state’s own contact tracers believe “the infections stem from multiple July 4 parties, and was not the result of a super spreader event.”

https://abc7chicago.com/illinois-covid-lake-zurich-outbreak-high-school-county/6339359/

Comment by harp5339 Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:40 pm
=JB is forcing IHSA to cancel sports.=

The virus is doing that. JB is making this more difficult than it needs to be by trying to be all things to all people and bending to the cry of “exceptions.”

Over the past 6 months we’ve heard any number of reasons why a county, city, business, or an activity is somehow “different” or immune to this virus. And time and time again the virus reminds us that they aren’t. Give up sports for the fall, put a mask on, and do the work of putting this miserable experience behind us.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:41 pm
===JB is forcing IHSA to cancel sports. So I guess the “rich” families that pay ( sacrifice ) for club level sports also had to be benched. No room for income inequality.===

@Donnie Elgin

These rules pertain to travel club and private club sports.

Comment by Nagidam Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:42 pm
Having come to terms you will not alter anyone’s mind on playing sports at this point, how this was dumped is worrisome.

IHSA announced over a week ago it had delayed their meeting and final analysis decision until today. One of two things happened. The Governor woke up this morning and decided to make some stuff up on a whim and dump it while the IHSA was meeting.

Or, knowing they were going to meet today, the Governor was secretly preparing his own edict he was planning to dump as the IHSA meeting should have been ending.

I’m not a fan of JB, but this is a different level of narcissism to let IHSA spend weeks looking at options all the while planning to crush them as the end their meeting.

I appreciate the candor in demonstrating he has no regard for facts, reliance on experts in their fields, respect for people who run individual programs to make decisions, or for the psychological or social well being of anyone else.

Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:44 pm
Baseball mostly unchanged. Out of state tourneys out. Travel trounements in state out as well I think (after Aug 15). League play and championships ok.

Comment by 44th Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:46 pm
Patriot, so nice of you to chime in with your perpetual victimhood. Please tell us how this is anything but watching out for the wellbeing of others? Literally trying to keep people from catching this virus is… what, exactly?

Comment by Fixer Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 1:58 pm
Why did IESA cancel baseball and softball earlier this week if they appear to be able to be played right now? Or am I reading this wrong. Current low risk can play at levels 1,2 and 3 with state tourney allowed. Softball/Baseball is a low risk. Where am I Confused?

Comment by Bobby Hill Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 2:04 pm
I agree with Patriot. If J.B. doesn’t want football, say so and own it. Don’t hang the IHSA out to dry, like he just did.

Comment by ajjacksson Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 2:17 pm
=== If J.B. doesn’t want football, say so and own it. Don’t hang the IHSA out to dry, like he just did.===

(Sigh)

Then when any Governor makes a decree that seems to usurp the local control, we all hear;

“How can the Governor decide on his/her own what is what, isn’t that why we *have* the IHSA to make these decisions”

That’s why it’s called the Big Chair. That’s why governors own.

There’s no win here, and by no win, I mean we are ALL losing… to the virus… not by health decisions… whomever makes them.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 2:21 pm
My run/walk took me by the ball diamonds where the kids were playing. The next team was just off the trail tossing baseballs when I got close to a circle of about 8 of them. First thing I heard a kid say was they are better than the big leagues because they can spit when they want. All the kids started spitting and laughing.

Comment by Observed Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 2:26 pm
Basketball and soccer are medium risk, while lacrosse is high risk? Has the person who made these distinctions ever watched these sports get played??

Comment by BigDoggie Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 2:34 pm
Does anyone really think having kids wrestle and play tackle football right now is a good idea?

California announced a delay until December or January back on July 20th
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/california-announces-delay-of-high-school-football-season-until-december-2020-or-january-2021/

The superintendent of schools in Dallas has serious doubts football will be played this year.
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/07/10/what-we-doing-latest-if-high-school-football-happen-iowa-coronavirus-covid/5414667002/

As of yesterday six entities have moved football from the Fall. (California, Nevada, New Mexico, Virginia, Washington state and Washington, D.C)

https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2020/07/national-high-school-federation-leader-expects-football-delay-addresses-other-hot-topics.html

As of yesterday 24 states had modified their calendar or have announced No Fall Football (note Illinois is showed as no changes)
https://twitter.com/RobertZayasNY/status/1287813421342380035/photo/1

Read the MLive link, lots of useful information there.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 2:46 pm
OW….What I’m saying is, the governor doesn’t want on this decision. He wants somebody else to make the decision that he doesn’t wanna make….until the last possible minute when he makes it after all kinds of other planning took place.
As you say, governor’s own. So governors have to have the intestinal fortitude to make the tough calls, instead of making somebody else do it and take the heat.

Comment by ajjacksson Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 2:47 pm
=== What I’m saying is, the governor doesn’t want on this decision. He wants somebody else to make the decision that he doesn’t wanna make….until the last possible minute when he makes it after all kinds of other planning took place.===

I addressed that.

Then there will be folks who will decry how a governor can usurp a governing body the right to make a choice.

===So governors have to have the intestinal fortitude to make the tough calls, instead of making somebody else do it and take the heat.===

I responded. I stand by response.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 2:50 pm
=== If J.B. doesn’t want football, say so and own it. Don’t hang the IHSA out to dry, like he just did.===

Just a reminder that on July 14th the IHSA said it will defer to IDPH and ISBE Governor’s Office for “Return to Play” guidance. Pritzker is not hanging IHSA out to dry. It appears that these groups are working closely together to form a plan.

Comment by Nadine Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 2:55 pm
DeVore had already filed suit against IHSA a few weeks back. I believe the case was scheduled for hearings this week, but I haven’t completely kept up with his antics.

I believe his contention (on behalf of his clients) was that the rule making governing body that puts on these sporting events couldn’t tell his clients what rules they had to play by in their events. Sounds about right.

Of course, IHSA’s defense was that they do not put on regular season contests, so any restrictions are being done by the school, not them. Again, nobody wants to be the adult in the room.

Comment by The Man In Blue Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 2:55 pm
@Bigdoggie - Yep. So a basketball team of 15 kids can practice inside without contact but a hockey team can’t practice inside without contact?

Both sports can run non-contact practices. But one can really only be practiced inside..

The failure to be consistent is hard to take here. Tough decisions - make them. Just make them consistent and they become much easier to understand.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 2:58 pm
So does the 1-4 of this scale relate to the 1-5 of reopening? It will confuse people either way…

Comment by 618er Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 3:01 pm
“It will confuse people either way…”

Some get confused by the act of breathing.”

Comment by Lt Guv Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 3:11 pm
So, by the start of normal high school basketball tournaments around Thanksgiving, is it possible that the risk level will change and the season can be salvaged? Or is it gone and shot to hell?

Comment by SouthStreator Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:00 pm
So much drama here. Bottom line is really very simple: The dangers presented by the virus affect everyone and cannot be addressed by fragmented, piecemeal actions. We’ve seen how carelessness, selfishness, and flagrant disregard of general well-being have undermined early progress in fighting the now resurgent virus. Now is not the time for youth sports, and perhaps sports of any kind given MLB’s situation. Now is a time to finally become serious about the threat we’re all facing, accept that dealing with the virus won’t be easy or quick, and start doing what needs to be done. Otherwise this is going to drag on and on.

Comment by Flapdoodle Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:18 pm
===Horseback Riding: Lower Risk===

Tell that to the horse.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:22 pm
Pritzker our wonderfully piece of work. Let all the protesters and rioters. Do there BS. But no contact sports. What BS.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 4:57 pm
I’ve try posting this multiple times today so sorry if it redundant:

I was running yesterday when I went by a youth baseball team waiting to play the next game. They were in a circle of 8 of them when one shouted hey we are better than the pros because we are allowed to spit. They all proceeded to spit in the circle while laughing.

Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 7:05 pm
I have a friend claiming she’s moving to Iowa or Missouri or Indiana so her son can play football.

This seems like a very bad decision.

Comment by Suburban Mom Wednesday, Jul 29, 20 @ 9:22 pm
==But when the multi million dollar, multi billion dollar sports leagues with multi million dollar athletes are struggling to protect their players==

The Governor complained again about “Multi-million dollar” athletes, like he did when he got into a little controversy May 12 when MLB players were trying to come to agreement on an attempt to have a season:

https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/13/pritzker-criticized-over-baseball-remarks/

Comment by Chatham Resident Thursday, Jul 30, 20 @ 5:12 am
Basketball = Medium Risk?
Hockey = High Risk?

How can 10 kids on a 94 x 50 foot basketball court wearing shorts & tank tops, all on top of each other grappling for a communal ball with hands that just wiped sweat from their heads and faces while yelling & not wearing masks be safer than..

10 kids on a 200 x 85 foot frozen ice rink in head to toe full gear helmets with full face masks using hands in gloves holding sticks to launch a puck into a net. There is literally no skin to skin contact in hockey.

I heard someone say yesterday that “my kid has better PPE on the ice than I do as a nurse in the ER”

Ridiculous & Arbitrary as to what sports are higher risk than others.

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