During my morning walks, I’ve observed early morning practice by the Viewmont High School football team in Bountiful. It’s worried me that distancing and wearing masks has been nonexistent. I haven’t observed one player or coach wearing a mask. Dozens of players stand elbow to elbow on the track in preparation for practice sessions. The same thing later on the field when they gather together to shout their enthusiastic chants.
I realize it’s outside, but does that eliminate the risk? I wonder if Viewmont is an isolated case or the same exists with other high school teams in the state. If one of the players becomes infected, it potentially could asymptomatically spread like wildfire to the others. I hope nothing comes from ignoring CDC guidelines during football practice. If that’s the case, maybe it means the virus doesn’t spread outside no matter what. That would be terrific. But otherwise, it seems the football season may be setting up for a perfect storm spreading COVID-19 to older parents and grandparents while causing extended health problems and deaths that didn’t need to happen.
Raymond A. Hult, Bountiful