North Dakota High School Sports Will Be Able To Practice Starting November 30

Last Friday (November 13), Governor Doug Burgum made some big announcements for North Dakota, regarding the never-ending COVID-19 pandemic. After months and months of stating that it is not the government's place to issue such a thing as a mask mandate, he actually did enact a statewide mask mandate. He also postponed all high school sports and practices until the middle of December.

But then, on Wednesday night (November 19), Governor Burgum made a joint announcement, with the House Majority Leader Chet Pollert and Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, that "Winter sports practices and extracurricular activities in North Dakota will be allowed to resume Nov. 30 with extra precautions, while competitions will remain suspended until Dec. 14." Valley News Live (Fargo) has the full press release.

In the press release, Governor Burgum emphasizes the importance of taking steps to slowing community spread. He says that young people "are part of the 'invisible epidemic,'" which he says is causing the virus to rapidly spread. Since younger people are less likely to show symptoms of the virus, it could quickly and easily be spread to loved ones and other people.

On the other hand, according to the press release, coaches and athletic associations said they are taking precautions in order to be able to keep playing/ practicing - no travel for association activities outside of normal home, no locker rooms, coaches wear masks, and there are no spectators. And advocates for letting kids play is that they are concerned with overall "mental, emotional, and physical health" with further shutdown restrictions on.

How do you feel about Governor Burgum's decision to resume sports practices on November 30th, instead of keeping them entirely shutdown while the mask mandate is in place?