Summer has finally made its appearance in Maine, albeit brief. After months of lockdown, my children are eager to reconnect with their friends, just like kids everywhere. My son is excited about joining the local soccer camp, while my daughter dreams of diving into lacrosse practice, complete with team celebrations and sweet treats once the games are over. Both have missed out on their seasons this year, and as a parent, I truly miss watching them enjoy those sunny days of play—it’s the highlight of our spring.
Local restrictions are beginning to ease up, with the governor allowing gatherings of up to 50 people. Restaurants are set to open for dine-in service soon, and my kids’ pent-up energy is palpable. I can see how beneficial it would be for them to engage in sports activities organized by the Recreation Department. However, I have serious reservations about whether we are truly ready for this transition. The thought of keeping my children contained and socially distanced during sports seems daunting, so we’ve opted out for now.
My children have long viewed me as a bit anxious and overprotective, and while I acknowledge I could ease up a bit, I feel that now is not the moment for a change in strategy. Safety is my top priority, and with no readily available tests for them and the absence of a COVID-19 vaccine, the risks are too high to ignore. There’s still so much we don’t understand about conditions like MIS-C, so I’m not willing to take chances.
These are challenging times for everyone involved—kids, coaches, volunteers, and parents hoping to support their children from a distance. It’s difficult to ask a three-year-old to stay close by, wear a mask, and refrain from mingling with others, let alone the challenge of keeping them away from playgrounds. The idea of watching from the sidelines or from my car, worrying about potential exposure, sounds overwhelmingly stressful.
Is it even worth the risk? Schools and businesses have been closed for months for a reason, and jumping back into sports doesn’t seem safe to me this summer. Each state is managing its own COVID-19 situation, and the CDC has left it to individual communities to determine when to resume youth sports. “Each community may need to make adjustments to meet its unique needs and circumstances,” the CDC notes, emphasizing that practice and competition increase the risk of virus spread.
The pressure this puts on children is immense. Kids can forget the rules, get excited, and slip into old habits like hugging, high-fiving, or sharing water bottles and equipment. The CDC suggests wearing face coverings and maintaining distance, but I can’t imagine children being comfortable in masks during hot summer games or remembering to keep apart on the sidelines. We’re asking them to fundamentally change how they interact, which is a tall order.
Moreover, places to wash hands after playing are scarce, and indoor sports pose an even greater risk of transmission. I’d be a bundle of nerves fixating on COVID-19 exposure rather than enjoying the game, and I know countless other parents who share my concerns. For those of us committed to protecting high-risk populations and healthcare workers, the risks simply outweigh any potential benefits.
I wonder if my children would even find joy in the new rules. Especially for more anxious kids, the pressure might overshadow the fun. I believe that sacrificing one summer to prioritize safety won’t have long-term consequences for their development. It’s a disappointing reality, but it’s a manageable price to pay to help flatten the COVID-19 curve. Hopefully, by next year, or sooner, a vaccine will bring about a sense of normalcy.
Until then, I refuse to risk my child’s health for a single season of play. When the situation feels safer, I will reconsider. Youth sports are essential for kids and communities, but right now, they simply cannot take precedence over public health.
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In summary, while the excitement for youth sports is palpable, prioritizing health and safety is crucial this year. We have made the choice to opt out of organized sports, focusing instead on the well-being of our children and community.
Keyphrase: youth sports and COVID-19
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