High school sports fields are left barren in the days of the pandemic, while the concern over whether sports should still exist during this time or not is still ongoing. 

It is hard to argue that cutting off sports completely is a good idea. The social aspect alone of team sports is something many students would hate to lose, especially sophomore Haily Gary. “It’s hard for me especially,” she says, “because even in competitive dance, I’m not allowed to do lifts, partner work, or anything like that.”

Beyond that, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations, sports can have “long-lasting, definitive benefits,” which have to do with improving confidence, interpersonal skills, and fitness habits. Atop that, the University of Wisconsin-Madison presented a new study of female athletes, which claims that “high school sports have not caused an increase in COVID-19 infections.” It also found that rates of depression increased among inactive athletes while their activity levels decreased. 

“We don’t really have the opportunity to get out and get as much exercise as we need,” says sophomore Audrey Demilio, who claims she herself has become “lazy.” Along the same sentiment, Gary bluntly states that “everyone’s sports levels are just gonna decrease during corona.” Perhaps that is a realistic result of the world’s situation. The virus is still indeed a danger to be reckoned with, despite what the Wisconsin-Madison study says. “COVID-19 infections are exploding nationwide,” according to The Wall Street Journal, which adds that public-health experts warn against participating in contact sports such as basketball. 

However, some sports can take action to establish precautionary measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks. “At dance, we all check our temperatures, we all take precautions,” says Gary. Also, some sports can make adjustments so that athletes can remain socially distanced. The field hockey regulations work for Demilio: “We all have our own five yards of space, we’re staying distant, we’re getting exercise.” For students who are involved in sports that cannot have the social-distancing precautions such as basketball and football, those student athletes could take private lessons, while others might practice on their own with a wall or family member.

While high school sports should not be abandoned completely, they do have to be altered, which can make life more inconvenient and less pleasurable. “I think it affects their enjoyment,” says Gary, “It’s hard to have fun during corona, y’know?”