Heidi Meyers sports a mask while working on her softball skills. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
It’s mandatory.
The Washington State Department of Health currently plans to require prep athletes wear masks in both practices and competitions through the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.
The only sport that will be allowed to go mask-less is swimming.
There are ongoing discussions, however, concerning whether “low-risk” sports such as cross country and tennis might be freed from the mandate.
“We are continuing to share information on whether that (wearing masks) is appropriate in all venues,” said Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Executive Director Mick Hoffman.
“Right now we are being told we have to wear masks or we can’t do the activity,” he added. “That decision is made by the Department of Health, at the state level, and the Governor’s office.
“We (the WIAA) can not change that.”
Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin have required masks for some prep sports, with Michigan the only one to have a face-covering mandate for high school football.
That mandate was issued by Governor Gretchen Witmer in September, and Michigan was able to play a complete season, with state championships set for this coming weekend.
In Washington state, athletes in all sports other than swimming will be “required to wear a cloth mask over mouth and nose at all times.”
Gaiters are “allowed, but not preferred.”
The DOH recommends masks made from cotton, fleece or linen, with a fastening mechanism, preferably ties or an elastic strap which goes around an athlete’s head or behind their ears.
Along with solitary “low-risk” sports perhaps being exempted, there is also the question on how football players will wear both a mask and the still-required mouth guard, since most mouth guards are directly attached to the player’s helmet.
Like everything in the Age of Coronavirus, things can, and likely will, change from day to day as discussions between the WIAA and the DOH continue.
For now, the WIAA understands “there are conflicting medical reports out there,” Hoffman said.
But the athletic governing body can’t go counter to the mandates of state officials.
“For those that take the stance that this is a health concern for students doing it (wearing masks), and it can cause issues, all I can tell you, is if you feel that way, you can’t let the student participate,” Hoffman said.
“If it’s a bona fide health concern for that student, you shouldn’t put that student out there.
“No different from a head injury, or any cardiac issue; no different if they have serious asthma or smoke.
“Because, at this time, we can’t give you a waiver.”
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