Covid Policies in Sports: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

By Jasmin Montiel

Staff Reporter

November 2021

In the fall sports season, lots of athletes were affected by Covid-19. Athletes saw their seasons being cut short or had to miss games due to quarantine restrictions. Sports have attempted to return to a sense of normalcy. As such, athletes have been following the policies of the Rock County Health Department, since the school is under their direction.

If the athlete is vaccinated and has no symptoms, then they would not have to be quarantined, but are recommended to get tested five to seven days after exposure. In contrast, if someone is not vaccinated, then they would have to be quarantined for 10 days, but if they get tested six to seven days after exposure, and if the test comes back negative, then the student is able to return.

Since the start of the pandemic, regulations have changed regarding those who have contracted Covid-19 and their participation in sports. Thus, if an athlete had Covid-19 within the past 90 days, they do not have to be quarantined or get tested.

A fall-sport athlete who dealt with these Covid-19 policies personally and wishes to stay anonymous shared the view that the policies may have not been fairly implemented. Although there may have been a blanket set of regulations each sport had to follow, some athletes felt as if “different sports had different policies. Football had some players who were sick who didn't sit out, while some soccer players had to sit out when they didn't even have Covid-19, but they had some other illness.”

Now, as we move into winter sports, the policies could be changing. It is rumored that during practice and competition, athletes will not be required to wear masks. However, they would be required to wear masks when they are on the bench. Additionally, spectators and coaches are required to wear masks at all times.

The student athlete said, “We can make better policies to help everyone and make it fair. People were breaking the policies, and we as a community cannot let that be looked upon.”