Michigan Judge Rejects Challenge To Mask and Testing Mandates For High School Athletes
A Michigan judge put the brakes on a lawsuit aimed at ending the mandate for Covid tests and mask wearing for high school athletes.
The lawsuit was brought on by the Let Them Play group that fought to resume high school sports in Michigan, along with a few separate parents. The group disagrees with the policy of weekly testing and mandatory mask wearing, but that's not what they were arguing in the lawsuit. They tried to argue that the mandates should not have just been handed out by the MDHHS, but should have been put through a process first.
That's where the judge stepped in and rejected the lawsuit this week. The judge ruled that Let Them Play can't go forward with the lawsuit pointing out that it is well within the rights of the MDHHS to issue the order.
State law plainly gives authority to the health director to issue emergency orders in response to a pandemic
I have two kids playing spring sports right now, and while the testing can be a hassle, I think it is the right way to go. It's obviously not the most convenient thing for students, but it's a pretty effective way to stay on top of new cases.
As for mask wearing while playing, I think most people are making a bigger deal out of this than they should. According to the MHSAA, the only sports required to wear masks while playing are Lacrosse and Soccer. The other spring sports are supposed to wear masks on the sideline, but do not have to during competition.
I'm sure this won't be the last we'll hear about masks and youth sports, because the MDHHS mandate covers all non school related sports as well.