OPINION | Editorial: It's safe, and time, to let NM's youth athletes unmask

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | June 8, 2021 | ABQ Journal Editorial Board

[CedarDave]

As COVID cases remain low and vaccination rates rise along with June’s daily temperatures, high school players ... have good reason to wonder why they are still required to wear a mask as they face an opponent ...

Unlike other states, New Mexico isn’t ready to let youths breathe freely as they play spring sports in the great, wide-open outdoors.

“In the Department of Health’s view, not enough kids are vaccinated yet,” says Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham spokesman Tripp Stelnicki. “We’re not at the point where they feel comfortable removing that requirement.”

He adds the “hope” is that the mandate could be lifted before season-ending tournaments in late June – when temperatures in the 90s are typical. Hope aside, the continued mandate for prep sports no longer makes sense.

First, strong data has emerged that there is very little transmission of COVID in outdoor settings because the virus disperses rapidly. Outdoor transmission may account for less than 1% of all new cases, according to a recent New York Times story.

Second, there is absolutely no reason for a vaccinated teen to have to wear a mask while playing tennis, baseball or running track. Nobody else who is fully vaccinated is required to wear one, except in such settings as hospitals or physicians’ offices. They are not only protected, but also there is very little evidence they spread the virus.

That change could, and should, be made today.

All our neighbors – Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Utah – are on the list of states without a mandate.

The mandate at this point is unnecessary and unfair to players, and makes so little sense that it risks undercutting respect for legitimate requirements.

Hard to argue. These kids play hard. It’s time to let them breathe freely.

[CedarDave]

This editorial is two weeks old. Since then temperatures have been from the mid-nineties to well over 100 degrees where baseball, softball, soccer and other high school tournaments are being played. Requiring student athletes to wear masks while adults and others have the freedom not to borders on child abuse. This is a typical response by our Democratic governor who believes that emulating California in all things health and environment is the way to move New Mexico forward and keep us MAGA serfs and lizard people in line.

[CedarDave]

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[ConservativeMind]

Keep them on! The other states want to continue to win against you.

[BobL]

Why does The Albuquerque Journal WANT CHILDREN TO DIE of the virus? Why do they HATE our kids? Why the DEATH WISH?

...I know, but the above is how the Left operates - we need to sound like them, even when we agree, simply to bash them. Otherwise, they win, even when they agree with us.