Home Forums Long Island & Eastern New York Soccer Message Boards BOTN Main Message Board To cancel or not? Here's what we know about the fate of high school sports

Eugene Rapay
Rockland/Westchester Journal News


After the New York State Public High School Athletic Association confirmed the return of state championship events for all sports earlier this month, it appeared that the 2021-22 school year would be back to normal on the playing fields and courts.

However, on Thursday afternoon, the New York State Education Department released its 'Health and Safety Guide for the 2021-22 School Year' and high-risk sports may be in jeopardy.

The document raised questions and concerns from those connected to high school sports across the state, especially with the Aug. 23 start date quickly approaching.

Here are some answers to common questions:

What is NYSED saying?
The 21-page guidebook had two pages that were focused on sports and other extracurricular activities. This section of the document was based on recommendations from the CDC.

According to NYSED, COVID-19 prevention strategies remain important, and students and adults should follow school-day policies and procedures during activities. Schools are encouraged to use COVID-19 testing for student-athletes as well as students participating in extracurricular activities.


It also states, "High-risk sports and extracurricular activities should be virtual or canceled in areas of high community transmission unless all participants are fully vaccinated."

Anyone who is fully vaccinated can forgo quarantine following a known exposure as long as they are asymptomatic.

How does this affect our local areas?
The recommendation to cancel high-risk sports and extracurricular activities in areas of high transmission would affect counties within Section 1 and 9.


Section 1 is comprised of Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and parts of Dutchess. Section 9 consists of Sullivan, Orange, Ulster, and the remaining portion of Dutchess.

According to the latest CDC data, all counties within Sections 1 and 9 are classified as areas of high transmission. This would also affect local Catholic and private schools in non-public leagues.

This may impact football, volleyball, cheer, hockey, wrestling and boys lacrosse, which were designated as high-risk sports by the state last year.

What is NYSPHSAA's response?
Shortly after the NYSED document was published Thursday afternoon, the NYSPHSAA released this statement:

"NYSPHSAA has received the NYSED 'Health and Safety Guide for the 2021-22 School Year'. We encourage our member schools to utilize this document and consult with local health departments as they plan for the 2021-22 fall interscholastic athletic season scheduled to begin on August 23rd. NYSPHSAA will continue working with state officials to ensure student athletes have a safe and successful academic and athletic school year."

Who makes the final decision on high-risk sports?
There might not be a single entity to point to just yet. However, last year's return to play saga offers lots of clues.

Last year, the NYSPHSAA deferred to NYSED and the Governor's Office. In late January, Andrew Cuomo decided to pass the handling of high-risk sports to local health departments and government officials. Individual school districts also had the choice to be more restrictive than state and local guidelines, with many throughout Sections 1 and 9 opting out of the wrestling season.

For private schools, the CHSAA and NYSAIS seemed to follow the same playbook as public schools.[b]

If a decision were to come from the Governor's Office, it's possible it might not come until after Cuomo's resignation goes into effect on Aug. 24, and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul is officially inaugurated as governor.

[b]What do Sections 1 and 9 have to say?
The frustration is apparent from coaches and athletes, with many taking to social media to voice their opinion.

According to Section 9 executive director Greg Ransom, the timing isn't great, but more answers should emerge over time.

"All the superintendents got the document from the Department of Education at the same time," Ransom said. "We are getting a protocol committee together next week to decipher what we can and can't do. Right now, we have no answers. ... They're not even giving us two full weeks before the season starts, so that's a problem, but this has been a problem since this hit back in March of 2020. We're going with the punches. (The document) has to be carefully read and districts are going to have to determine what they're comfortable doing. Vaccinations, masks, the whole nine yards. It's going to take time to sort out."

Section 1 is also facing similar challenges.

"We have already begun the process of reviewing the new guidance and determining the impact it may have on our member schools," Section 1 executive director Todd Santabarbara said. "One of our biggest challenges is the timeline of its release. The fall is quickly approaching, but processing this new information and working with our superintendents and athletic directors to prepare for the start of the fall season continues to be our focus."

As for the NYSED recommendation for full vaccination for all participants to compete, Ransom believes it'll be up to school districts.

"Since there are no mandates, I'd venture to say that school districts will make determinations of what they're willing to tolerate," he said. "Section 9 can make all the rules we want, but with COVID, it'll come down to what the individual districts want to do.”

Much like last year, both sections will be in contact with local department of health officials.

"(Section 1) will continue to work with local department of health officials to seek clarity and input on the newly released guidance," Santabarbara said. "Similar to last year, I anticipate some schools may choose to be more restrictive in certain aspects. We intend to use early next week to continue our discussions at the section level and determine how we can best support schools. It has been and always will be our goal to get our student-athletes on the fields safely."

With less than two weeks to go until the start of preseason practices, Ransom is cautiously optimistic.

"I have no reason to believe we won’t start, and I also wouldn’t be shocked if we didn’t," Ransom said. "Right now, we’re just looking at what we got."

What are the latest vaccination statistics?
According to the New York State Department of Health, 36.6% of 12- to 15-year olds are fully vaccinated across the state. Meanwhile, 52.4% of individuals aged 16 to 25 are fully vaccinated.

In the Mid-Hudson Region of New York, which includes Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties, the numbers are slightly higher: 39.4% of 12- to 15-year olds, and 52.8% of 16- to 25-year olds are fully vaccinated.

What happened last year
In Section 1, there were delays across the board, but practices for low-to-moderate-risk sports returned in late September. Soccer, field hockey, cross country and tennis returned to action, while high-risk sports like football, volleyball and cheer were postponed to the Fall II season in spring.

As for Section 9, all sports were put on hold until after the new year, even low-and-moderate-risk sports were moved to the Fall II season.

Both sections competed in low-and-moderate risk sports during the winter season. There was a delay for high-risk sports, like basketball, wrestling and hockey, but those returned after local health departments gave the go-ahead.

A condensed Fall II sports season was played, giving volleyball, football, swimming and cheer a chance to compete. In Section 9, some schools opted out of football.

The spring season was a gradual return to normal. Crowd restrictions and mask mandates were eased up as the season unfolded. All spring sports were back on the field. After regional postseasons were conducted during the fall, winter and Fall II seasons, spring sports got to enjoy the return of traditional section playoffs.

There were no state championship events or tournaments throughout the entire 2020-21 school year.

What are sports advocates saying?
They are concerned about the mental health and well-being of high school athletes in the case that high-risk sports seasons are in jeopardy.

They also allude to the successful completion of the football, basketball, volleyball, hockey, cheer and boys lacrosse seasons earlier this year. Although some teams experienced COVID-related pauses, there weren't entire outbreaks to derail or shut down a season throughout the Hudson Valley.

Advocates also look to data from other states. While New York kept football sidelined last fall and postponed it to the Fall II season, 35 of 50 states successfully played on normally through the autumn months, including neighboring states New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Another argument is that travel and club sports teams are able to compete and play all-year round, with very few obstacles in their way. While some high school sports teams were kept in limbo last year, the club circuit was well underway and continued on through this summer.

Lastly, Cuomo released a report earlier in the year based on contact tracing data throughout the state. It uncovered that 70% of all confirmed COVID-19 cases were traced back to social gatherings. Meanwhile, sports accounted for just 1.04% of cases.

A.J. Martelli and Stephen Haynes also contributed to this report.

Let them Play!

Please stop the madness.....let the kids play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Vote these jamokes out of office!!!!!

Put on your damn masks. Get the damn vaccine. Protect your kids that are eligible for the vaccine by making sure they get it. And stop listening to the big fat orange toad and maybe just maybe we can get past this. But too many idiots think it is a point of pride and are quickly on their path to endangering and killing our children. Bunch of A-hole freedom-ignorant hypocrites. Protect the kids, damn alreadyd

This has to be the dumbest post I’ve ever seen on botn.

Let us know what long term studies are there for you to assume giving a child an experimental treatment is somehow protecting them? Your the best type of test dummy

Protect YOUR kid don’t worry about what freedom loving parents do with theirs

Protect the kids? What data are you referring to which shows they are in danger? Surely not the CDC website which shows less than 500 children, last time I checked, have died from covid in the last 16 months. I believe there are over 80 Million kids under 17 years old in the US. Don't make this about protecting the kids, that's nonsense.

This is not political. Regardless of who is in office, some of us would like a little more information before getting the jab or at minimum an FDA approval. Attempting to shame someone or calling them names is not the answer. If you feel comfortable getting the vaccine with the information provided so far or if the risks of not getting the vaccine outweigh the risks we already know about the vaccine, then by all means go for it. Not anti-vax at all but also not ready to inject something that may or may not be effective, may or may not have long term side effects and based on the guidance will absolutely not allow us to return to normal for a virus that is so deadly that you have to get tested to even know if you have it. Wash your hands. Stay home if you're sick. Cover your cough/sneeze. Things that we all should be doing anyway.

You do know various Mrna vaccines have been worked on for years, right? Guess you qualify for the dumbest post now.
BTW, I'd say those measles and mumps vaccines have worked out pretty well that you got as a kid. And with far less technology than today.
Anything else genius?

Dropped the mic after that one!! Well said!!! SARS and MRNA vaccines are not new! To that original OP fool, get the vaccine for COVID gets you and your child, idiot!

Douchebag. The concern isn’t, what are the odds your kid will get sick and die……it’s how do you prevent spread and transmission to those most vulnerable and how do you prevent overwhelming health care facilities. Many parents fail to realize, most of the population could not give less of a [****] regarding who is able to play HS sports. Big picture, its completely meaningless. Your perspective is warped, selfish, and quite ignorant.

so stop saying protect the kids. you are trying to protect yourself

Amazing how they shut things down last year while not affecting kids, now its affecting kids at a greater rate, and yet everything is open. You wonder why people have doubts

Good lord, the stupidity is everywhere.

Baaah

How did you get this far in life and where have you been the past year? Absolutely a stupid post!

does Google and FB have an investment in BOTN just saying

Are you under the impression covid vaccine is “safe”?

Yes, totally.

Directly from the CDC website - For public awareness and in the interest of transparency, CDC is providing timely updates on the following serious adverse events of interest:

Anaphylaxis after COVID-19 vaccination is rare and has occurred in approximately 2 to 5 people per million vaccinated in the United States. Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur after any vaccination. If this occurs, vaccination providers can effectively and immediately treat the reaction. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccination is rare. As of August 11, 2021, more than 13 million doses of the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine have been given in the United States. CDC and FDA identified 42 confirmed reports of people who got the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine and later developed TTS. Women younger than 50 years old especially should be aware of the rare but increased risk of this adverse event. There are other COVID-19 vaccine options available for which this risk has not been seen. Learn more about J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine and TTS.

To date, two confirmed cases of TTS following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (Moderna) have been reported to VAERS after more than 339 million doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines administered in the United States. Based on available data, there is not an increased risk for TTS after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.

CDC and FDA are monitoring reports of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in people who have received the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine. GBS is a rare disorder where the body’s immune system damages nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. Most people fully recover from GBS, but some have permanent nerve damage. After more than 13 million J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine doses administered, there have been around 161 preliminary reports of GBS identified in VAERS as of August 11, 2021. These cases have largely been reported about 2 weeks after vaccination and mostly in men, many 50 years and older. CDC will continue to monitor for and evaluate reports of GBS occurring after COVID-19 vaccination and will share more information as it becomes available.

Myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination are rare. As of August 11, 2021, VAERS has received 1,306 reports of myocarditis or pericarditis among people ages 30 and younger who received COVID-19 vaccine. Most cases have been reported after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), particularly in male adolescents and young adults. Through follow-up, including medical record reviews, CDC and FDA have confirmed 762 reports of myocarditis or pericarditis. CDC and its partners are investigating these reports to assess whether there is a relationship to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and myocarditis.

Reports of death after COVID-19 vaccination are rare. More than 357 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the United States from December 14, 2020, through August 16, 2021. During this time, VAERS received 6,789 reports of death (0.0019%) among people who received a COVID-19 vaccine. FDA requires healthcare providers to report any death after COVID-19 vaccination to VAERS, even if it’s unclear whether the vaccine was the cause. Reports of adverse events to VAERS following vaccination, including deaths, do not necessarily mean that a vaccine caused a health problem. A review of available clinical information, including death certificates, autopsy, and medical records, has not established a causal link to COVID-19 vaccines. However, recent reports indicate a plausible causal relationship between the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine and TTS, a rare and serious adverse event—blood clots with low platelets—which has caused deaths

Three more fully vaccinated U.S Senators tested positive for Covid. Thoughts???

Here we go with this nonsense again. You can test positive, carry the virus, but the vaccine prevents you from getting sick enough to require hospitalization. I personally know vaccinated people who had Covid and had what was basically a mild cold.

The amount of bad info out there is staggering.

Agreed. Same with unvaccinated. A head cold and nothing more. Just do not know who to believe anymore.

Dumbass. Vaccinated people can still contract/carry the virus and can still pass it along to other people. Stop with the [****] that getting vaccinated is somehow a social responsibility in order to protect others. Vaccination can (possibly) protect the individual who is vaccinated. Not anyone else. I'm not even the OP, but damn, get your facts straight before spouting off on things you know nothing about.

Larry, I'm on the fence about whether or not to get vaccinated. Can you share some of the info you have regarding the safety of the vaccine?