Is It Safe To Have High School Sports?

WAAY 31 is talking to medical professionals to get their take on if high school sports should happen this fall.

To play sports.

Sydney... doctor karen landers told me today- it's up to school districts and athletic association to decide if sports are safe for students..

I asked her if she thought football was safe- and she wouldn't give me a definitive answer.

Dr. karen landers, madison county health officer "engaging in sports activities there obviously could be some close contact."

Madison county health officer karen landers wouldn't share if she believes students playing sports this fall is safe.

The school districts told us earlier this week, it consulted with landers before deciding on online only learning for the first nine weeks.

Dr. karen landers, madison county health officer: "i think those decisions have to be made and looked at in context of the community and the context of the potential spread of covid- 19."

Butt with dr. ali houssan, infectious diseases specialist "it's very very difficult to play a contact sport in a pandemic" doctor ali houssan is the infectious disease specialist for hospitals in madison county.

His answer is clear...resuming sports is not a good decision.

Dr. ali houssan, infectious diseases specialist " when you do a contact sport that's the easiest way of transmission from one person to another.

I really don't think it's a good decision at the moment to do that."

I pressed landers on why the health department helped schools decide to keep students out of the classroom but not off the ballfield.

Dr. karen landers, madison county health officer"i think we have to look at it terms of the health and well being of the players.

Certainly people shouldn't be playing if they're sick.

They shouldn't be playing if they're midly sick and they shouldn't be playing if they're a contact of a case."

Doctor houssan was clear if in person instruction isn't safe..neither is sports.

Dr. ali houssan, infectious diseases specialist "that's puzzling to me.

If we are really trying to do our best to reduce transmission and said schools should be virtual for at least or remote for the first nine weeks.

I don't know how a contact sport, intiating it now, going to not effect transmission."

Now none of the three districts in madison county have announced plans for fall sports yet.

After the alabama athletic association just released more guidance yesterday.

Live in huntsville sm