KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As sports leagues of all levels across the U.S. continue to decide how to handle their seasons, Kansas’s top health official says he is concerned about those who choose to play.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman said said leagues proceeding their seasons "put us all at risk."
Earlier Wednesday, the Big 12 Conference, which includes the University of Kansas and Kansas State University, announced it would proceed with fall sports despite the ongoing pandemic.
“The Big Ten and Pac-12 didn’t make that decision lightly, I’m sure you know, to cancel those,” he said.
Norman also said following COVID-19 precautions before and after the games will be difficult to enforce.
“It’s isn’t practical to quarantine everyone that goes to a game and comes back,” he said.
“Whether people can voluntarily quarantine themselves is unlikely and it puts us all at risk,” Norman said.
The Big 12 announced new COVID-19 protocols to try to prevent the spread, including testing some athletes at least three times a week.
But Norman is still not optimistic on the safety of the teams.
“To the athletes themselves and to the spectators and coaching staff, it puts them at an increased risk,” he said.
