Playing sports during covid: responsibility falls on spectators to control spread

By: Michael Nagle

Playing sports on all levels during the pandemic has been quite controversial. Some say playing organized sports increases the chances for Covid spread, while others maintain personal freedoms outweigh possible consequences.

Many parents and students have been wondering whether sports should be allowed in schools and in youth. Playing sports during the pandemic has been subject to many studies in the past two years with some saying that it causes higher rates in Covid-19 and some saying it has no difference. 

The belief that sports have some kind of effect, but not directly linked to coronavirus cases, is held by many in the sports community. Most sports that are being played are either outside and/or the players have to wear a mask. 

The problem, though, is not with the players, but instead in the large crowds that they attract. Most of the fans don't have to follow the same rules that the players and coaches do in terms of vaccination. With larger numbers of fans at some of the sports games, the risk for getting coronavirus increases drastically. 

Covid-19 has spiked in recent months now that sporting events have come back, but it is not the sole fault of each individual. With most of the world experiencing some form of a lockdown, people are excited to see their favorite athletes and teams get back into action.

Sports are not the only thing to blame for the rise in Covid cases; people going back into school and work may also have to do with some of the cases. While some of the athletes speak out against coronavirus guidelines, most are willing and want to follow them for the safety of themselves and their loved ones. If professional players don't follow their teams or sports regulations, they are punished in some kind of way by the commissioner of that sport. 

Youth sports continue to be called into question on whether they should be allowed to continue playing during Covid, though the recently approved vaccination for children ages 5-12 should help move the narrative forward. 

Until then, spectators at all levels simply need to be more conscious about coronavirus guidelines at each game they go to so that we can all work together to combat this pandemic.