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Governor's Decision On High School Sports 'Soon'
 CLICK the AUDIO button to hear the governor's comments LANSING---Governor Gretchen Whitmer gave no indication Wednesday afternoon that she will make the changes requested by the Michigan High School Athletic Association to move forward with football, and to allow some other sports to resume downstate. In fact, the governor pointed to "concerning" case counts in the U.P. and northern lower peninsula while saying she'd have an announcement "very soon". Whitmer's statements came as as the MHSAA waits for answers on whether the fall football season can be resurrected, and whether volleyball, swimming, and soccer can begin in lower Michigan. Volleyball and soccer can, for now at least, compete in the U.P. The MHSAA says it all hinges on the governor altering Executive Order 160, which requires social distancing at all times. Whitmer, at Wednesday’s news conference, gave no indication that she’s inclined to do that. “This has been a hard time for everyone. I want to make sure we get this right,” Whitmer said. “I’m not going to be pushed, or encouraged, or Tweeted at, to make a decision that isn’t supported by the best science, that doesn’t use the best protocols.” Using a sports analogy, the governor said we “all need to be on the same team” to defeat COVID-19. “With our numbers, as Dr. J (Joneigh Khaldun) articulated moments ago, especially in Regions Six and Eight (U.P. and northern Lower peninsula), we’re seeing numbers at a concerning level right now,” Whitmer said. “Being very mindful of continuing to follow the science and continuing to do what we’ve done to get us in a strong position.” “The thing that is important is to keep doing what it takes to be safe. And that means mask wearing. If we want the possibility of sports, we’ve got to mask up so we don’t see these numbers go up.” She said she would have an announcement “in short order on that front”. Mark Uyl, the director of the Michigan High School Athletic Association, issued this statement. “The MHSAA has been in constant contact with the Governor’s office seeking answers and direction for fall sports under EO 160 since that order was issued, expressing the urgency for these decisions on behalf of our member school students, staff and families,” Uyl said. “This direct communication will continue and we will take Governor Whitmer at her word today that decisions will be made and shared with everyone very soon. We will have no other comment or media availability until the Governor addresses these athletic questions.” Whitmer’s final word on the issue Wednesday? “I’m going to work with the Association to ensure that steps that are taken are absolutely tethered to the best science and keep our athletes and their families and our educators safe.” |
