Keep spectators away (including parents) if necessary. But open the tennis courts, the playing fields and the arenas
As a grandparent who hasn’t had physical contact with my five granddaughters since mid-March, I’m naturally eager to see the end of the lockdown. But if I can only receive that benefit at the high cost of my grandchildren sacrificing their most beloved activities, I prefer to FaceTime with them indefinitely.
My demographic is the one at high risk, after all, not theirs. As the data everywhere indicates, COVID-19 is a significant problem for those over 70 and but seems to pose extremely limited risk to the very young.
Remote academics can hold the line on kids’ brain development. But the lockdown on athletics is at minimum an obstacle to the development of necessary skill-building and fun for all children, and — for those engaged in competition at a serious level — a catastrophe.
For those engaged in competition at a serious level it’s a catastrophe
My Montreal granddaughters are both into sport in a big way, but with a crucial difference. Noa,12, enjoys the excitement of her soccer and hockey games, but the greater attraction is the camaraderie: the team parties, the locker room TikToks and of course the matching jackets. Her soccer coach is valiantly Zooming twice-weekly sessions focusing on ball skills; but without the social and actual “play” aspects, Noa has lost motivation and interest.
Toby,15, is a true competitor. A passionately engaged hockey player since childhood, she’s now playing Bantam AAA. Her team is — was — together six days a week at practices, games and off-ice workouts. Hockey is Toby’s life pivot. It’s her reason for pushing herself hard in everything she does, including getting good grades at school.
