State Rep. Aaron Miller has weighed in on the issue of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order that high school athletes must wear a mouth and nose covering during competition.
Miller said requiring masks for competing athletes across the board is senseless. He questioned what data supports the notion that masks are necessary in athletics, especially to protect those competing in sports where athletes are already physically distanced from one another, such as golf, tennis or cross country.
Miller said athletes will not benefit in any way from wearing a mask, given that the masks are going to get soaked and become useless.
He further questioned why sports played outdoors should require a mask, reasoning that kids playing soccer in neighborhood parks aren’t required to wear masks.
Miller suggested Michigan schools and their governing bodies for athletics ultimately decide whether to enforce a mask requirement, and any other precautions only when necessary and logical to keep student athletes safe.
“Miller suggested Michigan schools and their governing bodies for athletics ultimately decide whether to enforce a mask requirement, and any other precautions only when necessary and logical to keep student athletes safe.”
If that’s his criteria, there wouldn’t be contact sports and a lot of other activities until there’s a proven vaccine. His reasoning is not scientific, but philosophical.