Dark Winter ...
 

Private prep schools have cancelled all winter sports here in Connecticut due to COVID-19

The CIAC, our state interscholastic sports governing body, expects to make decisions regarding public and Catholic school winter sports by November 17 or sooner. Much will depend on decisions/guidelines from our governor, Ned Lamont, and our State Department of Public Health.

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I'll Write Them Off ...
 

I just bought a Windsor Three Tone Electronic Whistle and two Smitty Whistle Pockets (in case our local board or the CIAC doesn't allow electronic whistles). I'm on our training committee and trainings sessions start next week.

I'll keep the receipts for tax purposes.

https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.m...=0&w=300&h=300

Dark Times Lie Ahead Of Us (Albus Dumbledore) ...
 

The CIAC, our Connecticut state interscholastic sports governing body, is postponing the November 21st winter sports start date.

The CIAC Board of Control will consider a new start date for winter sports at its November 17th board meeting.

Who Was That Masked Basketball Player ???
 

While we still don't know if there will be a 2020-21 interscholastic winter sports season Connecticut, we do know that if there is a winter sports season both basketball players and ice hockey players will be playing while wearing cloth masks, or face shields.

Also no traveling outside Connecticut for ice hockey games, or basketball games, and no hosting teams from outside Connecticut.

Our State Department of Public Health is particularly concerned about ice hockey (we've already had some major problems with non-scholastic off season hockey). Apparently, due to the cold conditions in ice hockey rinks, a temperature inversion forms that keeps exhaled air droplets from dispersing and they stay in a layer of air near the ice surface.

There will be no interscholastic winter wrestling.

Girls volleyball was the only indoor fall sport in Connecticut. The girls played while wearing cloth masks.

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Just received notification from a very reliable and connected source that two major cities hear in Virginia have canceled all winter sports, Richmond and Norfolk.

I haven't checked the news yet to see if it is true.

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Richmond City yes that came out MON. However touching counties have insisted they are playing.

Who knows?????

Arlington Public Schools initially would have cancelled, but reversed its stance after outcry by parents and other concerned parties. Fairfax County Public Schools will resume play on the stated VHSL start date. The MPSSAA moved their start date for basketball up to January 4th, so that now matches the DCSAA start date.

I think a larger question is how many refs are going to be available in VA. I'm currently in between associations, but I'm telling you right now, I wouldn't work even if I was still employed, and I've spoken to several guys from my old group who are sitting the season out.

Daylight Follows A Dark Night (Maasai Proverb) …
 

The CIAC Board of Control acted to postpone all winter sports to January 19, 2021.

This time may be dark, but all regrowth starts in the darkness of a seed. (Daris LaPointe)

still doing it
 

To my fellow hoop officials who are taking Off the season, I sincerely hope that you will be safe and sane. Your expertise, cultural knowledge, and rich experience base will be sorely missed. I for one plan to work as normal; just got my new schedule Monday, then turnt around this morning and got an arbiter text msg saying that a set of games I was to work for this Monday has been cancelled already. But the Assignor told us to expect sudden cancellations--and since he already knows you are free on that day, then New games replacements will be added to my schedule in quick fashion. In fact, as I'm writing this post I just got an arbitermessenger saying "new games...".
To all of you refs who are taking the season off, I will surely miss your valuable insights, comments, and advice on the resolution of "wonky-type" plays that will inevitably be encountered this season. Please at least be available to respond to our posts because you all are most certainly appreciated by me!
Bless you'all!

I'm sitting the season out. It's not worth it and with numbers exploding, I don't expect much of a season. If I were single, then maybe I do it. My wife is scared to death about what is going on and doesn't want me exposed. I don't have a good response to that, so I will be sitting out.

That was the initial reason I wasn't going to work this season. Now that we have both had it, I just don't want deal with all the disruptions and uncertainties, necessary protocols, and lack of fellowship/socializing.

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What are your testing requirements and protocols?


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Mask Timeouts ...
 

If interscholastic basketball is played here, there will be extra "mask timeouts" four minutes into each period.

I'm joining the ranks of officials sitting out this season. At my age, I'm in a high-risk category, and, like SD Referee, I have to think of my partner, who is adamant that I not referee this season.

Yesterday, I received the latest COVID-19 update from the local hospital, where I volunteer. Over the past month, not only have the numbers risen steadily, but they have skyrocketed. A month ago, there were 17 positive tests (reflecting a 1.7% rate); this past week, that number had grown to 135 (8.0%), an 800% increase. The hospital thinks this spike is the result of social gatherings where people ignored essential precautions.

I was hoping things would not come to this, but the hospital report was the proverbial last straw.

Circle, Circle, Dot, Dot, Now You've Got The Cootie Shot ...
 

My doctor doesn't want me go to the gym, or to church, until the Connecticut positivity rate drops to 1%. Yesterday it was 5.16%.

When I go back to church he only wants me to go to a weekday morning mass and doesn't want me to receive communion.

Had a Zoom birthday party last week for my six year old grandson who lives on Long Island.

My daughter, a post-surgical nurse, works at a COVID testing facility on her weekend days off. I've only seen her through a car window since March, last time on Labor Day. I treat her and she treats me like she has "Cooties".

My other daughter, a doctor, invited me for Thanksgiving, but only for dessert, all wearing masks, on her back deck if the weather is nice. Just she, my son-in-law, and three grandsons. I'll be her only guest from outside of her household "cohort". Her maternity leave ended two months ago, and all three kids go to "Petri dish" day care. I have yet to touch my four month old grandson (who lives in the next town).

I may not go if we have dessert inside. I was always more worried about infecting others than about me being infected, until President Trump got COVID. Living in the White House he's well protected and isolated from strangers (he doesn't go grocery shopping, nor to the doctor, dentist, or barber) and yet he still got it. If he got it, I can get it, so now I'm worried about me (a sixty-seven year old cardiac patient with one heart attack already under my belt).

If there is interscholastic basketball in Connecticut (a big if), I'll wait until I see what the protocols are, and then decide. We (Connecticut) already know that the players (if they play) will be wearing masks.

I'd like to wear a mask (the CDC now believes that masks can also protect the wearer) and use an electronic whistle. I'd also like to see no street clothes (come to the gym in uniform) and no jackets being taken on and off. No getting to the gym early, or staying late, to observe previous, or subsequent games (get in, get out, get paid). Rule changes should be in place so that the officials never handle the ball (free throws, throwins, no jump ball). No pregame captains/coaches meeting. Partner pregame conference on the court (not the locker room) six feet apart. Halftime on the court. Hot single Moms will have to keep away from me.

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I've decided to not officiate basketball this year. My friends and family do not believe it is safe for someone my age (66) to be working indoors without proper protocols. Everyone is too close and players will not be required to mask but officials are.

Seems like the high school league is more worried about an official getting a kid sick. I believe the risk is just the opposite. Kids will lie when they don't feel well.

I was pleased that all my assigners understood my decision and said they would welcome me "back in the fold" next year, if I return. I'd like to squeeze one more season out of this aging body, and go out on my own terms, not the pandemic's.

Things Can And Will Change A Lot ...
 

Local Zoom meeting last night. Things can and will change a lot until January 19 when interscholastic basketball is tentatively scheduled to begin here in Connecticut, but here's what we've got so far:

1) Players and officials will be required to wear masks. Masks will have no color restrictions.
2) Most schools will not be making locker rooms available to officials, so most of us will be showing up in uniform.
3) Electronic whistles have been approved, as have whistle shields and whistle pouches (bags), but regular whistles with or without shields or pouches must be used under masks.
4) Pregame captains/coaches meeting will only involve the referee (no umpire), the head coach, and only one captain.
5) The will be jump balls to start games and no changes are planned for free throws and throwins.
6) Schools will decide how many spectators will be allowed to attend.

High Performance Sports Masks ...
 

Most players will be wearing some type of high performance sports mask. These fitted high performance masks may be appropriate for officials as well:

https://www.amazon.com/Under-Armour-...E0GVMVDFN6Z1T1

https://www.bing.com/th?id=OP.Hvw4%2...bw=0&bc=FFFFFF

The officials need to wear both players and masks?

Officials of all colors need to wear masks?

I'm only asking because sports are an extension of the classroom.

When People Will Not Be Judged By The Color Of Their Skin ...
 

Read the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

*Our local ref association does not cite or mandate any unique protocols, our Director has just said that we should follow whatever the Host site schools require. However, I will be wearing my black neck gaiter.

Just wondering who will bear the cost should a venue or school require officials to test before working there.

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Not Me ...
 

Not me. We're well paid in Connecticut, but not that well paid. And I don't think that my health insurance company will appreciate me getting a COVID test for a non-medical reason.

If this is the case, I'll be sitting out this dance.

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*The use of a temperature scanner upon entry to the Host site gymnasia should suffice?

My wife and I both had COVID and neither one of us ever had a fever.

I know the D1 consortiums, and of course high school referees don't operate the same, are requiring three tests a week.

Not criticizing, just more for my internal survey purposes in regards to how different entities, states, and localities are doing things.

As I've mentioned, I'm not working this year because of all the uncertainty and disruptions.



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My first game is tmrw night, will update my experience with such mitigation efforts thereafter.

*I officiated with my black neck gaiter, blew whistle thru the material and when I verbally reported foul/violation I simply positioned the whistle against my jaw line and it was supported by the neck gaiter. Aside from sweating a lil bit more, the procedure was tolerable.

Whistle While You Work ...
 

Black Fox 40 Electronic Whistles just became readily available (previously the only available color was red) so I bought one.

The Fox 40 Electronic Whistle uses a 9 volt battery and is definitely louder than the Windsor Electronic Whistle that uses 1.5 volt batteries.

Also bought an Under Armour High Performance Sports Facemask.

If we have interscholastic basketball here in Connecticut after January 19, 2021, I'm ready to go (if I believe that the protocols are sufficiently safe).

No Pickleball In Connecticut ...
 

Our governor, Ned Lamont, and our State Department of Public Health have canceled all team sports (except for collegiate and professional) in Connecticut until January 19, 2020.

This includes interscholastic (including Christian schools, which were prepared to start December 1, 2020), recreation, travel, adult, AAU, etc., even team sports in school physical education classes, and pick-up-games, are prohibited.

Team Sports on Pause through 1/19/2021
Pause affects all sporting activities except for Collegiate and Professional.
Masks now required in Gyms and Fitness Centers, no exceptions.
“Team” is defined as a group of more than 4 people jointly engaged in an organized or recreational athletic activity on a court, field, etc.

What is prohibited during Team Sports on Pause:
Participation in High Risk Sports (other than conditioning/non-contact drills)
All Team scrimmages, competitions, camps, clinics and tournaments (including all interscholastic, “pick-up” games, and other informal athletic activities)
Participation in any out-of-state Team practices (including conditioning), competitions, camps, clinics and tournaments by CT residents
Participation in competitions, camps, clinics, tournaments in CT by out-of-state Teams
Teams are not able to break up into smaller groups to practice or compete (e.g. a 20 person team practicing or competing in groups of 4 or less at the same time and location is not allowed)

What is allowed during Team Sports on Pause:
Outdoor Recreation activities
Individual and small group training (4 people or fewer)
Individual and small group Moderate and Low Risk Sports (4 people or fewer)
Gyms (masks now required, no exceptions, minimum 6 foot spacing and other Sector Rule Safeguards)
Group Fitness Classes & Dance Studios, Yoga, Martial Arts Instruction, etc.
Reduced to 25% capacity (from 50%)
Masks now required, no exceptions
Subject to minimum 6 foot spacing and other Sector Rule Safeguards
School Gym Classes (No Team sports subject to Pause to be played)

Risk Categorizations with Associated Sports, National Federation of State High School Associations, Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, May 2020

Higher Risk
Sports that involve close, sustained contact between participants, lack of significant protective barriers, and high probability that respiratory particles will be transmitted between participants.
Wrestling, Martial Arts, 11-on-11 Football, Rugby, Boys Lacrosse, Boxing, Competitive Cheer, Competitive Dance Teams

Moderate Risk
Sports that involve close, sustained contact, but with protective equipment in place that may reduce the likelihood of respiratory particle transmission between participants OR intermittent close contact OR group sports OR sports that use equipment that can’t be cleaned between participants.
Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, Swimming relays, Soccer, Water polo, Gymnastics, Ice hockey, Field hockey, 7-on-7 football, Girls lacrosse, Pole vault, High jump, Long jump
Rowing/Crew (with two or more rowers in shell), Tennis (doubles), Racquet sports (squash, pickleball, racquetball)

Lower Risk
Sports that can be done with social distancing or individually with no sharing of equipment or the ability to clean the equipment between use by competitors.
Individual running events, Throwing events (javelin, shot put, discus), Running/Cross Country (staggered starts), Individual swimming, Golf, Weightlifting, Alpine skiing/ snowboarding, Sideline cheer
Rowing/Crew (single sculling), Tennis (singles), Fencing

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Santa Clara County in California just shut down athletics at all levels, including professional. Even the SF 49ers are not allowed to practice or play within that county for the next three weeks.

Beep Beep ...
 

He also cancelled all non-virtual road races.

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College Players Wear Masks ...
 

I have been wearing my black neck gaiter actually while I am reffing games this season. It's not as cumbersome as I thought it would be. No problems with blowing my whistle nor communicati g with the Table personnel. During between quarter break s I just do a quick wipe dry off my sweat. During FT administration I keep whistle tucked between my cheek and gaiter fabric. Yesterday one of the players said "hay ref you look like a ninja", it was amusing.

Las Vegas has announced the cancelation of all HS Winter sports.
The decision was made by the Clark County School District administration on Tuesday morning. The plan from the state office was to begin the basketball season belatedly in early January, but that is now not going to happen for southern Nevada.
A decision for the northern part of the state should come on 12/8.

Fyi
 

AND, Henrico County has joined RCPS in cancellation of all winter sports. This leaves Chesterfield and Hanover Counties yet to be heard from. Chesterfield has returned all of its schools to all-virtual learning until the end of the second grading period which ends on 1/29/21. If/when all the dominoes fall, then it'll be a season of dark gyms here in the RVA.

Indoor Sports ???
 

Funny you mention that. I recently had it too, but now I'm over it so I'm back in to honor my contracts. I'm not looking forward to it and it's going to be a crappy year.

Active Naturally Acquired Immunity ...
 

Once one has COVID-19, is one immune, as with some childhood diseases (chicken pox and measles)?

And if so how long does the immunity last?

So far, research indicates that immunity should last for years. Of course, at the moment, there's no way to verify that. My wife and I are operating under the assumption that we are safe enough to go to the end of the line for vaccinations.

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How Safe ???
 

Thanks.

Do you both feel safe enough to not wear a mask and to not socially distance when you come into contact with high risk individuals (elderly, chemotherapy, etc.)?

Do you both feel safe enough to not wear a mask and to not socially distance when you come in contact with strangers outside of your immediate household (cohort) who may, or may not, have COVID, either symptomatic, or asymptomatic?

Even if you are immune to COVID and can't get sick (long term or short term), can you still be an asymptomatic carrier of the virus and infect others?

Yes, we feel safe enough. However we respect that people who do not know us have no idea that we've had Covid and that we are safe. Even if people trust us, if they prefer that we stay masked up, that's what we do.

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"Of course, at the moment, there's no way to verify that."

In the current phase of the disease's progression, where official guidelines still change, and the race for a vaccine continues, I would not take immunity for granted.

At the risk of encouraging BillyMac to dig up an Hill Street Blues clip, be careful out there.

Does anybody really know????

I've been told anywhere from 90-150 days of being "immune". My wife was doing some research the other day and read the number of days may be incorrect as there could be different strains out there.

As does my family. I figured it can't hurt to stay masked up and help society/mankind.

I am going to ref with a whistle shield AND/OR a face mask.

I'm really not looking forward to the season. It's going to be a season of crap.

Risk Versus Reward ...
 

https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.b...=0&w=232&h=175

I wonder how many young'uns on the Forum have absolutely no idea what LRZ and I are referring to. They'll have to look it up on the Google.

Also. Great show. Joyce Davenport (Veronica Hamel) was hot.

Initially, we were thinking that after 90 days we would start being cautious again. But more and more research is showing that immunity is longer than that. By the time our 90-day window is up people will have started getting the vaccine plus a lot more people will have contracted the virus.

One of my best friends is going through metastatic breast cancer treatment and she has felt comfortable spending time with me and my wife.

There are still a lot of restrictions in place in Virginia, so it's not like we can just go out and live life like it's 1999. But we do plan on going out to movies if something is playing that we like. We've attended in person Bible study, but twice our sessions have had to go to Zoom because of positive cases, including ours.

Bottom line, we feel more comfortable doing things out and about than we did before we contracted the virus. That being said, we are both very respectful of others, and we never want to put anybody in a position of feeling uncomfortable.



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I agree with you. After getting it, I feel somewhat liberated and can go back to a somewhat normal life. I still wear a mask most places I go and do what I can to make other people comfortable and do what I can to help stop the spread.