Face Masks for High School Football, Volleyball and Soccer Players
It's official, according to the Lansing State Journal "in Executive Order 180 issued by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, facial coverings will only be required for athletes in football, volleyball and soccer."
As far as not being required to wear masks under the updated order, that would include athletes in golf, tennis, cross country and swimmers.
When you really think about it, this all boils down to social distancing. For example: You wouldn't have to wear a face covering out on the golf course because you are constantly social distancing away from most people.
Now if you take a full contact sport like football, there is no social distancing whatsoever.
And when it comes to training athletes, if you are practicing for or competing in an organized sport, you must wear a facial covering if you cannot consistently maintain six feet of social distance.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said "the COVID-19 virus is easily spread through airborne particles and can affect everyone differently. By wearing a face covering when proper distancing is not possible, athletes will be better protected from contracting the virus and spreading it to family members, frontline workers, and vulnerable populations." (LSJ)
"Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said individuals have a choice about whether or not to play organized sports. Since contact sports pose a high risk of transmitting COVID-19, MDHHS recommends that people should choose to avoid them." (LSJ)
On a side note, even though bowling alleys are not officially open to the public, they are allowing organized bowling teams to come back and bowl for the season as long as everyone follows protocol.