West Michigan and Mask Requirements

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West Michigan coaches and players react to mask requirement for contact sports

Michigan high school athletes in football, soccer and volleyball will be required to wear a face mask.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer late Wednesday clarified her order requiring masks in organized sports, saying they must be worn in training and competition only when athletes cannot consistently keep 6 feet apart.

Whitmer signed Executive Order 180 on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. The order clarifies mandates on face coverings for organized sports during practice and competition with contact, which include football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, hockey, wrestling, field hockey, boxing and martial arts with opponents. Cross country, golf and tennis could go without masks, if they can stay distant, according to the executive order.

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Vicksburg resident Sarah Gruber's sixth-grade son Ryan runs cross-country. For the last week, Gruber said her son has been wearing a mask. Whitmer's initial order to reopen gyms and let additional organized sports resume required all athletes “while on the field of play” to wear a mask except when swimming.

"I was super tired and I felt sick after a lot of running," Gruber said.

During a news conference Thursday, Michigan's Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said the policy was necessary for the contact sports.

Khaldun said there's no proof that anyone would be unable to exercise while wearing a mask. She said athletes unable to wear masks in high-contact sports should not play.

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The mandate doesn’t apply to referees.

"Providing that clarification was helpful for us," Hackett Catholic Prep athletic director Chris Abid said.

Abid said the updated rules make more sense.

"There’s a concern with our athletes going full speed and wearing masks but we’re willing to comply with whatever rules but it will provide a little more common sense with sports where’s the less risk," Abid said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doesn't currently recommend a mask mandate for athletes, but only if feasible, especially when it is difficult to stay less than 6 feet apart from other people or indoors, for example in close contact sports such as basketball.

Parents like Adrian McCellenand said she believed Michigan's requirements seems over the top.

"It's impending their ability to play, they’re not going to be able to perform at their best. They’re going to be cautious of injury or harm. it’s not a good situation all around," McCellenand said.

The Michigan High School Sports Athletic Association said referees won't need to wear masks.

MHSAA said athletic administrators or coaches are responsible for making sure everyone is masked up.