Keep School Sports Safe During Pandemic

SATURDAY, Sept. 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- As some school sports return this fall, a number of measures should be followed to keep students safe from the new coronavirus, an expert says.

"The best way to prevent risk is to remind students of frequent hand-washing or have hand sanitizers readily available, especially before, during and after practice," said Dr. Irvin Sulapas, a primary care sports medicine physician and assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

"It depends on the sport, but if you are touching surfaces or working with something like a football or basketball, just remember to use hand sanitizer after you're done using it and clean the ball as well," he said in a Baylor news release.

Whenever school athletes go to a practice or game, they should practice good hygiene by: bringing their own water bottle; not borrowing other people's athletic equipment; disinfecting equipment such as sports balls, helmets or gloves after they're used; using hand sanitizer, and washing hands frequently.

Athletes who feel sick should stay home. They or their parents should keep a daily symptom checklist as reference, Sulapas suggested.

Maintaining distance is also important when practicing. Even if a practice traditionally takes place indoors, try to hold it outdoors. Limit the number of people in or around the practice area. Stagger the number of athletes who are on the field so that it's easier to maintain social distancing, Sulapas recommended.

He urges athletes to wear a mask and stay 6 feet apart whenever possible. Limit the number of people in the gym or weight room, or consider doing additional workouts or conditioning at home. Avoid high fives, hugs, fist bumps, handshakes or similar contact. Parents should remain in the car when dropping students off and picking them up for practice.

"It's important that everyone who is attending practices or games remembers to wear a mask -- we have seen cases of kids contracting COVID-19 and also cases of young adults and kids who may be asymptomatic carriers," Sulapas said.

He also suggested frequently checking recommendations from local health authorities on whether students should return to sports practice or any other athletic event.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on sports and the coronavirus pandemic.