One Bay Area lawmaker is asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to immediately allow outdoor and low-contact, indoor high school sports statewide amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
State Senator Josh Becker of Menlo Park wrote Gov. Newsom on Monday to ask for the immediate resumption, as high school football coaches contend the decision must come this week or the spring season will likely be canceled.
Becker has two high school athletes in the house: a daughter who plays water polo and a son who plays football.
He told KCBS Radio that this prolonged isolation is having seriously negative effects on the mental health and well-being of young people.
"A kid that I used to coach in basketball just got into serious trouble," the state senator said. "I have to think that if he had sports, that would not have happened."
Becker said that while all sports may not be safe yet, other states have proven that some sports can be played safely - especially outdoor sports.
"So, we see all these impacts on kids, so while we do have to be careful about the virus, we have to also be concerned about the emotional well-being of the kids and have faith in some of the best practices," he noted.
Youth football is prohibited until a county enters the orange reopening tier.
The entire Bay Area is two steps away in the purple tier.
