RANT: There’s lots of speculation out there about HS sports (again) during Covid. My advice: Lean into the facts that we know to be true. Knowledge is power. Speculation and what if’s do nothing but flame anxiety. Nothing is certain these days, but there are good plans in place.

Could things change and go the wrong direction for HS sports? Sure, we don’t know what the future holds. But the flip side is true too. Things could also change for the better and we could get sports rolling as scheduled, which is the current plan — the current facts — btw.

So let’s lean into facts: The latest NCHSAA guidelines are all pointing to gradual easing of restrictions with expectations of playing. Commissioner Tucker has expressed optimism as recently as last week. More schools are participating in sports today than at any point since Mar.

More facts: We know more about Covid today than we did in March, which leads NCHSAA Sports Med Advisory Committee to be more comfortable with moving forward with proper precautions in place. Data is coming out of other states/sports leagues supporting it too.

Are there DHHS guidelines that could make you pause? Yes. But the language is important. “Recommendation” and “requirement” have different meanings, for example. And DHHS has had to give its blessing on NCHSAA easing restrictions, so that would be a positive indicator IMO.

Other facts: There is not comprehensive tracking of COVID in HS sports in NC (to my knowledge) but, anecdotally at least, we have zero known instances of big outbreaks from HS sports in NC — either in NCHSAA workouts or NCISAA/NCCSA fall seasons.

If you’re invested in HS sports, I understand why you feel anxious. It’s been a year. But you can help your anxiety (and everyone else’s) by focusing on what we DO know, not going hyperbolic on Twitter about what we don’t or what could happen.

END RANT