Bobref

That’s right, Pope John XXIII.

Is there really any question as to the direction in which the momentum is moving? When do we reach the tipping point, where the slide becomes unstoppable due to the bandwagon effect?

My guess is they’re somewhat preoccupied at the moment. So, I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick has reportedly come out in favor of delaying the start of the college football season until after we see what effect kids coming back to school will have on the numbers. https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/college-football/notre-dame-ad-jack-swarbrick-reportedly-wants-2020-season-delayed/ I think we all know what that effect will be.

Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick has reportedly come out in favor of delaying the start of the college football season until after we see what effect kids coming back to school will have on the numbers. https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/college-football/notre-dame-ad-jack-swarbrick-reportedly-wants-2020-season-delayed/ I think we all know what that effect will be.

New York pushing back the start of their high school season ... with a backup plan for moving to the Spring. https://dailygazette.com/article/2020/07/16/nysphsaa-to-delay-start-of-fall-high-school-sports-season-due-to-covid-19

Consider the response made.

I don’t disagree. But my point is that, wisely or unwisely, some programs suspend operations after a positive test. If they’re doing it now, won’t they also do it during the season, if that’s what they believe is required for public health reasons? Going to be some schedule scrambling, at a minimum.

As with other facility issues, first, communicate with the AD in the week before your game, and discuss the facilities that are available. If you arrive at a game site and are faced with inadequate facilities, you have the right to refuse to work under those conditions. Or, if you are dissatisfied with the arrangements to be provided, as Just Rules said, come dressed. Whether you choose to work or not, you should inform the IHSAA if it is an unsafe facility.

I can tell you that the B1G and MAC officials will be wearing masks in game.

The Lake County Health Dept. issued an order today requiring masking in all public spaces, including outdoors when social distancing cannot be maintained, or in groups of 25 or more.

There are several documents trickling down through association football chairs. One of them addresses administrative issues for officials, and contains the following: “Host school will provide adequate dressing facilities for officials to include lockers, showers, and adequate space to observe social distancing.”

Any idea what their protocol response is?

Well, if you’re going to do some kind of cost-benefit analysis to determine whether the restrictions are “worth it,” shouldn’t you include all of the “costs“ in the analysis? Death is not the only “cost” associated with COVID-19.

Dann, that was intended as a comment on @Coach Nowlin’s observation that he “should have known better,” but went ahead anyway. That’s all. That persecution complex is going to get you in trouble on the field if you’re not careful.

A veteran official gave me some advice very early in my career: “Don’t get in arguments with coaches. It’s like wrestling a pig in the mud. Eventually you realize that you’re covered in filth and the pig is enjoying himself.“

I am loathe to make important decisions on the basis of studies like these. They call it a “novel” coronavirus because it’s new. Most of the studies being done now are, of necessity, short term and very limited in scope. For example, we still don’t know to what degree an infection provides future immunity, if any. This inability to generate reliable information early in the process is absolutely normal in the scientific world, but doesn’t sell well in the era of the 15 second sound bite, or the 280 character tweet. So, a lot of people who have only a passing acquaintance at best with the scientific method just throw up their hands in frustration. There are more than a few of them on the GID.

Just trying to get better every day.

I fear you’re fighting an uphill battle, my friend. Unfortunately, this is no longer primarily a public health issue. All sides have “weaponized” the pandemic for use in political warfare. So, decisions are often driven by concerns other than public health.

So, you would miss a meeting, and thereby potentially disadvantage your crew in their tournament rankings - not to mention your own prospect of self-improvement - just because you won’t wear a mask for 90 minutes? Interesting ... Wonder how the other crew members feel about that?

OK. But exactly what does that mean? The devil is always in the details.

You’re fortunate the meetings aren’t held in Merrillville this year. Town Council voted for mandatory masking in public spaces starting at 11 a.m. today. I know you wouldn’t consider defying the law. 😷

I’ll be there. I’ll be the one with the mask.

Geez, I would hope so. Because what has gone before is 💩.