Health First Offers Youth Sports Safety Recommendations for Parents, Players and Coaches

Sports provide a crucial benefit to our kids, especially during this time of uncertainty

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The COVID-19 journey has been a long and challenging battle that doesn’t seem to be coming to a halt anytime soon. 

We’ve had to adjust and adapt from every angle of life – how we socialize, go to the grocery store, and even limit human interaction when greeting our loved ones.

Almost everything we do has some sort of link or risk when dealing with COVID-19, including youth sports. As parents, we understand how important exercise and team sports are, especially during a pandemic.

It’s also vital we be mindful of lowering the risk of catching or spreading the virus among ourselves and our children.

“Although fall sports are reopening, it’s still everyone’s responsibility to limit the spread of the virus as we continue to navigate the best solutions in keeping our kids safe,” said Dr. Anthony Barile, Infectious Disease Medical Director with Health First.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some helpful information for parents, coaches, and teammates to help navigate safety measures during COVID-19:

▪ Players should bring their own equipment, like gloves, bats and water bottles, if possible
▪ Reduce physical closeness and keep six feet of space between players when possible
▪ Coaches and spectators should wear a cloth face mask or covering, and decide if players need to wear one, too
▪ Players should clean their hands before and after practices, games and sharing equipment

“These measures are put in place to help us all,” Dr. Barile said. “They can protect families, players, and communities when trying to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Before playing any games, the CDC recommends parents consider the risk associated with that sport in terms of the virus spreading between players:

▪ Lowest risk: Performing skill-building drills or conditioning at home, alone or with family members
▪ Increasing risk: Team-based practice
▪ More risk: Within-team competition
▪ Even more risk: Full competition between teams from the same local geographic area
▪ Highest risk: Full competition between teams from different geographic areas

Sports provide a crucial benefit to our kids, especially during this time of uncertainty. We all want our athletes to be safe and strong while team building, learning leadership skills, and having fun.

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