All-Star Covid-19 / Varsity Response

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I get that everyone wants to get back to doing things, us too! But the anti-mask statements do not help imo. If everyone gets used to wearing masks around other people then we will hopefully be able to do things like have cheer practice, go to school, etc.
 
So you are a parent correct ? And she is an athlete assuming child maybe teenager, but regardless not a parent. She is upset and voicing her feelings which is perfectly fine. All of you people need to stop shaming these kids for feeling the way they do it is absolutely not okay. It is perfectly fine for her or any person really to want things to return to normal and it is also perfectly fine for them to talk about it and let their feelings be heard. People that are shaming these kids really have no clue how much harm they could be doing.
A teen should have the common sense to know that refusing to wear a mask anywhere she’s not forced to do so is the exact opposite of how anyone (including cheer) gets back to normal anytime soon.

We had a ton of teens in Loudoun County (DC area) go to Myrtle Beach like nothing is going on and so far 130 of them have tested positive since they returned. Being young is no excuse for not exercising personal responsibility.
 
I'm glad to see the American Academy of Pediatrics is pushing for kids to be back in school this Fall:

“The AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.”

The AAP cites "mounting evidence" that transmission of the coronavirus by young children is uncommon, partly because they are less likely to contract it in the first place.

On the other hand, the AAP argues that based on the nation's experience this spring, remote learning is likely to result in severe learning loss and increased social isolation. Social isolation, in turn, can breed serious social, emotional and health issues: "child and adolescent physical or sexual abuse, substance use, depression, and suicidal ideation."

Doctors Call For Reopening Schools Despite Coronavirus Crisis : Coronavirus Live Updates : NPR
Why A.A.P. Guidelines Are Pushing for Schools to Reopen This Fall - The New York Times
 
There really aren't any physiological restrictions to breathing with a mask on. Sure, there are some psychological reasons (anxiety, claustrophobia, etc) that can manifest as a physiological response, but there isn't a valid direct relationship. I worked as a PT in a hospital a couple years ago, seeing patients daily with very, very severe lung disease. I'm talking days away from dying or lung transplants bad. Walking 50 feet down the hallway would put similar stress on their lungs as a healthy person running a marathon. Guess, what, these people would regularly wear masks with all activity with no change in their oxygen levels, since they were so sick that any kind of illness could be fatal. The inhalation of CO2 is soooo minute that it should not alter one's blood chemistry, especially in someone who is healthy. Medical professionals wouldn't purposely try to restrict someone's breathing further when it is already so severely compromised. Is it uncomfortable, sure. Does it take getting used to, absolutely.

This is primarily in regards to surgical or cloth masks. N95s are a bit different, but I really hope nobody is wearing one of those to a cheer practice.

Not trying to minimize anybody's experiences, just sharing my thoughts and what I've learned in the medical field.

Thank you for this perspective. It's surprising that a person's oxygen levels wouldn't change at all with a mask. I've heard of former Olympic athletes that would prepare for competitions in cities that are at high altitude (meaning less oxygen available and more issues breathing) by practicing with a face mask to restrict oxygen and mimic a high-altitude setting. So were these Olympians and their coaches completely misguided in doing that? Granted, they were probably using something more high-tech than a basic cloth mask.

At the very least, I could see how covering someone's airways during exercise might give some kids anxiety, which in turn would affect breathing. Then there's the fact that you keep re-breathing hot air. Combine this with the 90 degree heat, and I could see how it might contribute to a kid overheating at cheer practice. There's a reason cheerleaders wear sports bras during the summer heat. The less cloth covering your body, the better chance you have of staying cool.

Are masks even effective if the cheerleaders are yanking on them with their dirty hands to adjust them every time they tumble/stunt, take water breaks, etc? What germs are they really stopping from spreading? I could see a mask obstructing a kid's vision as they tumble, or if a flyer comes down wrong onto a base, etc.

I'm all for wearing masks while grocery shopping, around the elderly, etc. I just don't know about wearing masks at cheer practice. Nobody has ever tried it before, so do any of us really know for sure that this would have no negative effect on kids who are doing grueling physical activity in non-air-conditioned places for 2 or 3 hours? I don't think everyone who voices concerns about this are "excuse making" as much as they just have different perspective/thoughts. I think about the high school football players who have died from heat stroke, and the last thing they probably needed was a hot mask on their face. Same for kids prone to asthma attacks.

I know everyone is frustrated by the rising case numbers, and I wish we could make it all go away by wearing masks to cheer practice, but it probably doesn't have much of an effect, especially if it's true that young kids aren't really the ones passing the virus around anyway.
 
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Thank you for this perspective. It's surprising that a person's oxygen levels wouldn't change at all with a mask. I've heard of former Olympic athletes that would prepare for competitions in cities that are at high altitude (meaning less oxygen available, which makes it harder to breathe), by practicing with a face mask to restrict oxygen and mimic a high-altitude setting. So were these Olympians and their coaches completely misguided in doing that? Granted, they were probably using something more high-tech than a basic cloth mask.

At the very least, I could see how covering someone's airways during exercise might give some kids anxiety, which in turn would affect breathing. Then there's the fact that you keep re-breathing hot air. Combine this with the 90 degree heat, and I could see how it might contribute to a kid overheating at cheer practice. There's a reason cheerleaders wear sports bras during the summer heat. The less cloth covering your body, the better chance you have of staying cool.

Are masks even effective if the cheerleaders are yanking on them with their dirty hands to adjust them every time they tumble/stunt, take water breaks, etc? What germs are they really stopping from spreading? I could see a mask obstructing a kid's vision as they tumble, or if a flyer comes down wrong onto a base, etc.

I'm all for wearing masks while grocery shopping, around the elderly, etc. I just don't know about wearing masks at cheer practice. Nobody has ever tried it before, so do any of us really know for sure that this would have no negative effect on kids who are doing grueling physical activity in non-air-conditioned places for 2 or 3 hours? I don't think everyone who voices concerns about this are "excuse making" as much as they just have different perspective/thoughts. I think about the high school football players who have died from heat stroke, and the last thing they probably needed was a hot mask on their face. Same for kids prone to asthma attacks.

I know everyone is frustrated by the rising case numbers, and I wish we could make it all go away by wearing masks to cheer practice, but it probably doesn't have much of an effect, especially if it's true that young kids aren't really the ones passing the virus around anyway.

At CP’s gym they have started to stunt, with masks. They only wear them for stunting. For tumbling etc they keep the kids spaced apart.

CP was fine, she enjoyed it and did not complain about wearing a mask.

The day after the first stunt practice, we found out that a kid had tested positive. As far as I know no one else caught it. It could have been different had they not all worn masks for stunting.
 
At CP’s gym they have started to stunt, with masks. They only wear them for stunting. For tumbling etc they keep the kids spaced apart.

CP was fine, she enjoyed it and did not complain about wearing a mask.

The day after the first stunt practice, we found out that a kid had tested positive. As far as I know no one else caught it. It could have been different had they not all worn masks for stunting.
What is the protocol now? Is everyone who was at practice with that athlete being tested?
 
What is the protocol now? Is everyone who was at practice with that athlete being tested?

I don’t know exactly. It said something about exposure. I took that as maybe they told the people in the same stunt group. We were not told to get tested and kinda figured out it wasn’t anyone in CP’s group.

I know masks aren’t 100% but the fact that all the kids wore them was definitely a great thing.
 
I'm glad to see the American Academy of Pediatrics is pushing for kids to be back in school this Fall:

“The AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.”

The AAP cites "mounting evidence" that transmission of the coronavirus by young children is uncommon, partly because they are less likely to contract it in the first place.

On the other hand, the AAP argues that based on the nation's experience this spring, remote learning is likely to result in severe learning loss and increased social isolation. Social isolation, in turn, can breed serious social, emotional and health issues: "child and adolescent physical or sexual abuse, substance use, depression, and suicidal ideation."

Doctors Call For Reopening Schools Despite Coronavirus Crisis : Coronavirus Live Updates : NPR
Why A.A.P. Guidelines Are Pushing for Schools to Reopen This Fall - The New York Times

"However, these guidelines don't necessarily address the health concerns of America's teachers or their willingness to return to in-person teaching. Federal data show nearly a third of teachers are over 50, putting them in a higher risk category when it comes to the disease"
 
I think a lot of the Anti- mask talk comes from A MONTH of the media telling- no CONDITIONING everyone NOT to wear one when everyone started to buy them in mass. They spent segment after segment educating people on how bad it was for everyone’s health, how healthcare professionals should be the only ones wearing them and that the masks everyone was out purchasing weren’t effective at all-
Backed up by the WHO and shortly thereafter the CDC ...
Boom now -Total opposite-MASKS MASKS MASKS
How can you NOT wear a mask?! Shame on you for even thinking about not masking up.
Personally -I’m not an Anti or Pro masker...I’m a
“so this is what we are doing now, okay- I’ll comply”
I’ve had a few instances where I’ve felt light headed In warmer climates wearing one- but I just went and sat in my car with the AC (problem solved) ...
But I CANT say I don’t completely blame people for feeling just a little bit confused and angry-
 
I can’t speak for Cheer, but looks like my school district in Texas will provide all students the option of in person school or online school. At this time, they are very adamant about offering both. Parents can choose which one works best for them.
 
A teen should have the common sense to know that refusing to wear a mask anywhere she’s not forced to do so is the exact opposite of how anyone (including cheer) gets back to normal anytime soon.

We had a ton of teens in Loudoun County (DC area) go to Myrtle Beach like nothing is going on and so far 130 of them have tested positive since they returned. Being young is no excuse for not exercising personal responsibility.
First of all please read my post before offering your opinion she was voicing her concerns which she has every right to do. she clearly stated she has high anxiety and this situation is affecting her mental health i’m sorry if that doesn’t concern you however my daughters best friend committed suicide during this shut down so it highly concerns me. people have no clue what others are dealing with so at the end of the day it’s simple mind your business and don’t judge others
 
First of all please read my post before offering your opinion she was voicing her concerns which she has every right to do. she clearly stated she has high anxiety and this situation is affecting her mental health i’m sorry if that doesn’t concern you however my daughters best friend committed suicide during this shut down so it highly concerns me. people have no clue what others are dealing with so at the end of the day it’s simple mind your business and don’t judge others
She is commenting with her opinion and I am responding with mine. You inserted yourself into that, so I’m not sure how you think I should be the one minding my own business. I am sorry about your daughter’s friend but my position stands - if people want things to get back to normal they need to exercise responsibility and wear a mask if they choose to go out. The rest of the world is getting back to normal because they have done this. EVERYONE is anxious to get back to normal. NOBODY enjoys wearing a mask. Meanwhile our numbers are rising out of control because idiots think it’s infringing on muh freedoms to have to wear one. It is infuriating, and I refuse to sugar coat it for my own kids or anyone on this board. These past few weeks I have seen so many cheer parents posting all the photos from their ring parties, team reveal parties, team pool/beach days, etc. Parents allowing their kids (and themselves) to pretend everything is normal is WHY IT’S NOT and why this is going to affect all of our lives much longer.
 
First of all please read my post before offering your opinion she was voicing her concerns which she has every right to do. she clearly stated she has high anxiety and this situation is affecting her mental health i’m sorry if that doesn’t concern you however my daughters best friend committed suicide during this shut down so it highly concerns me. people have no clue what others are dealing with so at the end of the day it’s simple mind your business and don’t judge others


I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter's friend.
 
I can’t speak for Cheer, but looks like my school district in Texas will provide all students the option of in person school or online school. At this time, they are very adamant about offering both. Parents can choose which one works best for them.
Interesting. Do you mind if I ask what grades these are for? Is it large or small district?
 
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