A new guideline from Governor Gretchen Whitmer was implemented through the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) on April 2nd stating every school in Michigan “must complete an antigen test of athletes one time per week”.
This order has recently been extended to May 24, 2021, for in-season activities and sports. Those out-of-season may continue to train without the need of weekly testing.
The weekly testing guideline involves every Spring athlete getting tested in the athletic classroom. The tests take about five minutes for each student athlete. Results can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days to finally render a positive or negative result.
Students who test positive with Covid will have to be quarantined for 10 days according to MHSAA guidelines.
To Junior lacrosse player Kyle Pitchure, these Covid-19 guidelines aren’t much of a nuisance.
“I don’t have a problem with testing every week because you are in there for ten minutes at most,” Pitchure said. “Our staff makes the process very fast.”
One other restriction from the Covid-19 guidelines states that players facing off during lacrosse must wear two masks, one under the helmet and one over their helmet.
Pitchure is now familiar with the new Covid-19 lacrosse experience, but it was a strain for the team at first.
“The policies don’t affect me personally,” Pitchure said. “But in the beginning of the season our face off players were struggling while trying to deal with two masks while in the middle of play.”
For the next season, Pitchure hopes that things go back to “normal”, or as close to normal as it can get.
For Senior baseball player Jules Hidalgo, these guidelines offer a bit more of an annoyance.
The only other guideline for baseball is to wear a mask in the dugout, but Hidalgo feels that getting tested weekly is a bit invasive.
“I feel as though we should have a choice to test or not to test,” Hidalgo said.
But Hidalgo is quick to look on the brightside.
“However, in talking to some friends and others I saw that even though we have to take the test, we at least get to play for a week for certain,” Hidalgo said.
According to Hidalgo, getting to play this year has been an honor, and Hidalgo thinks that this is something many take for granted.
“Even in heartbreakers like we’ve unfortunately had this year, I’ll take those over not being able to play at all,” Hidalgo said. “I think all of the guys [teammates] feel that same vibe as well, and we’re just happy to be back on the diamond.”
While the coronavirus has impeded many activities, Hidalgo doesn’t think that the Covid-19 guidelines will hinder his team or his game.
“Watch out for those Cats,” Hidalgo said. “We’re hungry, confident, and excited!”
Update: Spring sport athletes who are fully vaccinated no longer have to be tested.
