<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605802133503.png" alt="Dr. Karissa Niehoff · Executive Director at National Federation of State High School Associations" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Karissa Niehoff · Executive Director at National Federation of State High School Associations</figcaption>
 </figure>To play or not to play winter high school sports and other activity 
programs – that is the decision being considered by state high school 
associations, state health and education departments, and state 
governments.While 35 states offered football this fall – with 30 
leading to state championships – and another 10 states were able to 
sponsor other fall sports, the outlook for traditional winter sports and
 activities held indoors is proving to be one of the toughest decisions 
since the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out two-thirds of state basketball 
finals last spring.According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nfhs.org/media/4294927/2020-21-basketball-seasons-modifications.jpg">NFHS 2020-21 Basketball Seasons Modifications Map</a>,
 22 states have plans to conduct high school basketball in a fairly 
normal timeframe, while 29 (28 states plus the District of Columbia) 
have announced modifications for the season, many of which include 
delays to later in the year. &nbsp;With the number of positive 
COVID-19 cases rising across the country, two of the core issues in 
making these winter sports decisions are determining how prevalent the 
transmission of the virus is in actual competition and the mitigation 
strategies necessary for indoor activities.And to make these 
decisions even more difficult, while the physical health and safety of 
participants must remain the No. 1 criterion, there continues to be the 
social, emotional and mental health concerns if students are unable to 
participate in sports and performing arts. In short, these decisions are
 about the value of involvement in education-based activities vs. the 
concerns of no involvement in these life-changing programs.The 
shift to indoor sports (basketball, wrestling, ice hockey, swimming and 
diving) this winter has elevated concerns about virus spread as 
participants will be in close proximity in enclosed settings. While 
there have been a few cases of large-scale virus spread reportedly 
traced to sport contact, we know from communication with state high 
school association leaders throughout the fall that, in fact, 
quarantines were more often enacted due to team members contracting the 
virus in other settings and bringing it into practices or games.While
 at least one statewide survey seemed to support these reports from 
state associations that actual sport contact has not been the primary 
source of virus transmission, the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory 
Committee is involved in gathering national data about the risk of 
COVID-19 spread from direct contact in sports competition this fall.Regarding performing arts programs, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nfhs.org/articles/third-round-of-performing-arts-aerosol-study-produces-more-scientific-data-for-return-to-activities/">unprecedented aerosol study commissioned by the NFHS</a>,
 the College Band Directors National Association and more than 125 other
 groups has demonstrated – through scientific research – that music 
activities can be successfully conducted by following several mitigation
 strategies.In those schools with in-person learning, if 
participants playing wind instruments wear surgical-style masks with a 
slit for the mouthpiece, and use an appropriate bell cover, aerosol 
emission is reduced between 60 and 90 percent.Mitigation 
strategies outlined in the first two releases of the aerosol study have 
helped to keep music programs going this fall in several states, and the
 third round of results released last week hopefully will enable more 
schools to feel confident in continuing music programs – in those 
schools where students are engaged in in-person learning – because the 
scientific data has become more refined.As high school sports and
 other activities move indoors in the coming weeks, there are a number 
of mitigation efforts that schools must have in place if events are 
going to happen successfully.In addition to the core protective 
elements of wearing masks, social distancing and proper hygiene, indoor 
activities will require the additional precautionary tasks of proper 
facility management and crowd management. Facilities must be properly 
sanitized, and ventilation systems must be in working order.Crowds
 must be managed to accommodate the necessary distancing of spectators, 
and plans must be in place to keep fans from congregating, such as at 
halftime or following the game. One idea to enhance social distancing is
 to eliminate concession stands this year – or at least package items in
 a manner that improves the flow and lessens the chance of fan 
interaction.Certainly, there are situations in some states where 
state health or government leaders are making decisions to return 
schools – and sports and activities – to virtual learning due to spiking
 positivity rates. And focusing on the physical health and safety of 
students, coaches, officials and spectators must come first.However,
 in these cases, we encourage individuals to keep the faith and have 
plans in place when that next opportunity comes. High school sports have
 been a part of our nation’s schools for more than 100 years. They have 
survived world wars, natural disasters and countless funding challenges,
 and they will survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

OPINION: Mitigation efforts must intensify as winter activities begin