On the TunneySide of Sports February 8, 2021 #834 Up next… “Let ’em play”
After further review… With the lessening of COVID-19 restrictions, we are denying the healthful needs of young people. As adults, you and I were fortunate to go where and when we pleased – well, for the most part.
My youth was hampered somewhat by the ‘Great Depression’ but, for the most part, I didn’t have to be “sheltered-in” or wear a mask when outside or being with people. I was in school during World War II, but my ability to play outside was not affected as it is with our youth today. For most of my youth, I could –and did – go to school and be with my classmates on a daily basis. Distance learning was not available.
Today’s students are limited by staying at home and receiving instruction via the computer. This wonderful internet device has given us tremendous access that wasn’t available to me. However, it takes second place to face-to-face classroom instruction. Young people want to go to school since that’s where their friends are. Students are reporting they are less excited, less concerned, less challenged, and less prepared with distance learning. I do see the concern for keeping a safe distance until Dr. Tony Fauci says it is OK to sit closer.
There certainly was a need to curtail or eliminate fall sports in 2020 since we saw many school and professional team players being stricken with the virus thus having to be quarantined to prevent the spread of the virus. While much attention has been given to this, we seemed to have avoided the need for physical activity that each of us — young and old — needs.
As a physical educator I learned, and have always believed, “mens sana in corpore sano, a Latin phrase translated to mean “a healthy mind in a healthy body.” This expresses the theory that physical exercise is an important or essential part of mental and psychological well-being.
So, how about this: while distance learning is taking place, open the school grounds, fields and courts, swimming pools and the like so that our youth can run, play, or swim on their own. Of course, a playground director or teacher or lifeguard must be there to oversee the facility and equipment in use. No instruction need take place, but CCOVID-19 regulations are to be observed.
Will you agree that this method of allowing physical exercise is valuable?
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Be well and stay safe! Thank you!
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