UPDATE: Rally planned for Sunday 3/14 for MCPS Football, Cheer, & POMS. Details on flyer further down.
Experts such as Harvard Professor Joseph G. Allen (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/03/08/dont-let-covid-19-keep-kids-playing-sports/) and many others have stressed the importance of sports, especially outdoors, and especially for kids. Many other local school systems have already had outdoor sports such as football going on for quite some time.
So why in Montgomery County, as cases are declining and they begin opening more and more indoor adult activities, are we putting the kids last and not allowing them to play football, outdoors and masked?
MCPS Athletics Previous Reopening plan as of 3/5
As MCPS has begun executing the reopening plan, many things have already been in motion regarding MCPS Athletics. This included a gradual return to play for all sports including High School Football. Over 1,000 students began working out with their MCPS football teams – outdoor, masked, no contact or pads – on March 8.
You can see the previous MCPS Athletics plan below which was just sent out on March 5. The plan included a gradual return to activities for football.
Just yesterday (3/11), they were allowed to use pads and sleds and coaches were notified that with the State changes they may be allowed to have contact practices with pods of up to 50 starting as early as Monday 3/15.
New Public Health Order Prohibits Football Contact, Scrimmages and Games
However, the new Montgomery County Public Health Order adopted Friday 3/12 by the County Council and County Executive, prohibits High Risk Sports (including football) from having contact, scrimmages, or games despite being outdoors and taking lots of other precautions:
Here is the applicable section of order:
MCPS Athletics offers update on 3/12 after County Order
New MCPS Athletics Update after Order approved on 3/12
Here is a side by side comparison of the section related to football before (3/5) and after (3/14) updated government guidance.
MCPS Football Coaches And Players Take to Social Media In Response To Surprise Change
High Risk Categorization Outdated
The High Risk Categorization for football is outdated based on this statement from the National Federation of State High School Associations: https://www.nfhs.org/media/4295118/nfhs-smac-statement-on-risk-of-covid-19-during-high-school-sports-january-27-2021-final.pdf
Indoor ice hockey is being played in Montgomery County (https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/03/13/bethesda-chevy-chase-wins-first-mshl-championship-with-rare-comeback-uncommon-season/) and has been for a while with some slightly modified rules. Frankly, based on science and guidance such as that above, outdoor masked football should be allowed to play.
According to the Maryland sports return to play guide from June 2020, Football is categorized as High Risk but we weren’t able to find anything more recent. However, the guide also has phased in for high risk and no requirements for mask wearing during sports whereas the MCPS football players are wearing masks. https://marylandsports.us/sites/default/files/Return2Play/MDSports_ReturntoPlay%20Report.pdf
Adult And Indoor Activities Allowed Greatly Expanded
While MCPS High School Football took a huge hit from the 3/12 Health Order, many other activities are expanding. Here is a non exhaustive list of some activities that are expanding or will be based on the order:
Indoor Religious Facilities – 50% maximum occupancy
The following businesses are open at 25% maximum occupancy now and will ALL be raised to 50% maximum occupancy as of March 26
- Indoor dining
- Fitness Centers
- Bowling Alleys
- Escape rooms – max 6 people per group
- Museums and Art Galleries – no contact galleries
- Pools
- Retail Establishments
The following will also be allowed at 25% Capacity starting March 26
- Amusement Parks
- Bingo Halls
- Go-Kart Tracks
- Roller Skating Rinks
- Social Clubs
- Theatres
- Trampoline Parks
Rally Sunday 3/14
This is beyond frustrating and so disappointing to players and their families. All 50 states are playing football. Why cant this county move forward and let the schools make the decision! The #mococountycouncil should not have a final say or any say on what the schools do! This has got to stop. We need to move forward without all this fear and worry. Its harming our kids in so many ways.
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