Coronavirus and Sports: Questions to Ask if You're Concerned About COVID

 

On any given Sunday, you can catch your favorite NFL team back on the field. The same is true for college football on Saturdays. Being able to enjoy these games from home, and, in some cases, in-person, makes us feel a little more normal amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

But life isn’t normal. The virus continues to impact many aspects of our daily lives. It affects how we work, travel, and even our dining habits. So naturally, dealing with the coronavirus has catapulted its way into sports. The Tennessee Titans, The New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Kansas City Chiefs have all been adversely impacted by the coronavirus. 

Not wearing protective masks led the NFL to fine three coaches. Pretending the virus and the disease it causes doesn’t exist doesn’t make it go away. Those fines were warranted. Coaches set the standard for their players—it’s a responsibility that should be taken seriously. 

This is a crucial time for players and their parents to decide if it’s safe to take the field. After initially delaying their seasons indefinitely, teams in the Big 10 and PAC 12 are playing again. But some teams like the University of Florida, Oklahoma State, and Vanderbilt have been forced to postpone games because of COVID. 

I commended the Big 10 and PAC 12 for taking a stand that others did not, because I think that they were really looking at COVID and making sound decisions on behalf of what they believed to be the best for the athlete. We are now in a moment of reckoning for college football. Despite taking necessary precautions, some of the sports best-known coaches, including Alabama’s Nick Saban, University of Florida’s Dan Mullen, and Florida State’s Mike Norvell, have all tested positive for COVID-19 recently. 

While college teams opt to move forward, I think many questions need answers before players take the field. There hasn’t been a lot of research on the short and long-term effects of the virus. In part, because the virus is so new. But based on scientific research I’ve seen, some of the people who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 are showing signs of heart damage, even if they didn’t have underlying heart disease. 

The type of cardiac damage is known as myocarditis, which can lead to an irregular heartbeat and difficulty breathing. Myocarditis is said to also increase the risk for sudden death in competitive athletes. Getting Covid-19 is a risky endeavor. Not only is it life-threatening—it has potential consequences that can stay with otherwise healthy people for years. 

As a parent and a health care professional, I know the consequences of dangerous viruses. As a mother, I would not allow my child to play sports during this pandemic. I think there are a series of questions parents need to ask to be informed and make a decision that works for them and their child.

 

Read, Research & Request Info

Do I understand the risks?

Find information from credible sources. Talk to a physician that you trust. Ask for additional information if there’s anything you don’t understand. 

How will schools/teams protect my child?

Make sure you have specific information about preventative measures. Find out about the plans in place to care for your child if there is a COVID outbreak. 

Don’t be afraid to change your mind.

No decision is set in stone. As the season moves along, and you feel your child is at risk, listen to your intuition. Trust your gut.  You can always pull back and reverse your decision. The goal is to keep your child safe. 

If I had a high school child now and was weighing the pros and cons of playing football, I would say no, based on the risks as I understand them now. Every week, we learn more about treating COVID-19, and about different ways the coronavirus is spread. As a former ICU nurse, I know what some families are going through—there’s a long road to recovery for many people after COVID-19. 

What we don’t know are the lingering effects of the disease on young, healthy athletes. Will it compromise their heart and lungs? Will it cause neurological issues?  In the end, would it have been worth the risks?  So, my message to all parents is to make an informed decision. Weigh that decision, heavily. COVID-19 is real. It can cause major health issues for some, or worse—and it’s going to be around for a while. There’s a lot to digest, so take your time and make a decision you are comfortable with, and that will keep your child safe.