There are daily discussions about the coronavirus and the impact it has had on pro sports, junior hockey and many other high-profile leagues and athletes.
But, what about the average every day adult or child that just wants to have some fun and play a sport for the exercise, competitiveness, camaraderie, fellowship and other benefits that come with physical activity?
Provincial Health Officer Doctor Bonnie Henry is of the strong opinion that this is not the year or season to sign your child up for different sports.
Yes, Dr Henry still encourages exercise but there should be precautions about competing in team sports and limits placed on the exposure to the virus.
“As recreational sports like hockey and youth soccer return, we have seen an increase in COVID-19 exposures. In some cases, sports facilities have been closed,” stated Dr Henry in a recent news release.
“Like many other activities that have restarted, provincial sports organizations and sports facilities require COVID-19 safety plans to ensure a safe return to sport. Similar to the approach in the recent NHL playoffs, the plans have prioritized the players over the spectators, with restrictions in place in arenas and on the sidelines.
“We have to remember that spending time socializing or cheering with other parents and fans before, during and after games, increases the risk of transmission and exposure for you and your family,” added Dr Henry.
“As much as we want to see the winning goal or celebrate the perfect pass after the game, we need to ensure we are keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe by always following our COVID-19 safety basics.
“It is important for all of us to think about our cumulative interactions. If you are in a busy workplace or have kids in school, then it is all the more important to limit your time with others elsewhere,” said Dr Henry.
COVID-19: Dr. Henry asks parents to re-assess their kids sports activities https://t.co/pwGYWZeAod
— Kim Richter (@KimRichterTOL) October 14, 2020
BC set a one-day record on Wednesday with 203 new COVID-19 cases and then smashed that record on Thursday with 274, most of them in the Fraser Valley but there were four more people that tested positive in Northern Health on each of the last two days.
We are in the midst of the second wave.
#CovidBC update: 274 new cases since we last reported, for a total of 12,331 cases in BC. https://t.co/0djcwOano8 pic.twitter.com/DSxzBwZjun
— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) October 22, 2020
It is hard to believe it has been eight months since the coronavirus caught the attention of the province and country.
Unless a vaccine is found quickly, it does not appear that the virus will disappear anytime in the near future.
The longer this drags on, the more difficult it becomes for many people to remain disciplined and accept the recommendations from health officials who are just trying to find a balance between carrying on with a normal everyday lifestyle and taking precautions to avoid becoming one of the many that have tested positive.
“Each day that you choose to do the right thing, you are helping to protect our communities and keeping important activities and places open and safe,” concluded Dr Henry.
Leagues like the BCHL and WHL insist they will play a season even if fans are not allowed to their games.
The financial commitment from those owners should be applauded, but the question remains how safe is it to play?
There does not appear to be a clear answer but regardless of whether it is a top-notch junior player or one competing at the rec level, the athlete needs to fully understand there is a health risk, even though we remain in the dark how much risk that is.
FROM THE QUOTE RACK:
SI.Com headline Nick Saban adds to his Legacy with victories Over No. 3 Georgia, and COVID-19 in Same Week.
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
The government of France has announced that if the struggles against the elite continue for Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen, the two will be made honorary heroes of the French Revolution.
*Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
A Zamboni resurfacing a hockey rink in Rochester, New York, caught fire and, with the operator still on board, wildly zoomed around the ice. No truth to reports they got it from the Calgary Flames.
*Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://www.seattletimes.com/author/dwight-perry/
A Zamboni caught fire on an ice rink at a youth hockey practice in New York this week… and the driver didn’t jump off!https://t.co/tBHbLGO2Hk
— The Morning X w/ Mark & Chris (@89XMorningX) October 16, 2020
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Joe Thornton, but that’s only because Dave Keon was unavailable.
*Contributor Marc Ragovin of New York
IN CASE, YOU MISSED IT
June Blythe, 65, regained her sense of smell 37 years after losing it. Blythe says she could recall the scent of flowers and that the Toronto Maple Leafs stink.
*Canadian comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the news and sports supervisor and morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT and Country 97.
He also is the 94.3 the Goat radio colour commentator for P.G. Cougars home games.
His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com.
Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]