Kudos to superintendent Dr. Ilean Richards and the Coahoma County School District.
As you see in today’s paper, athletes and coaches in the district will be taking the vaccine to prevent COVID.
COVID is a serious illness that has killed all too many people throughout the United States.
Richards mentioned the Delta Variant in her report at the board meeting Tuesday. The Delta Variant is here and the COVID pandemic is far from finished.
I personally agree with Richards’ concerns and have taken the vaccine myself. I encourage everyone else to take the vaccine. It could save your life and the lives of others around you.
If you have doubts, check with your doctor or a medical professional you can trust and learn about the vaccine. Make an informed decision whether or not you want to take it.
I would like to address why it may be extra important for athletes and coaches to take the vaccine.
Do not misunderstand me. Everyone should take the vaccine, but those involved with sports have a greater chance of contracting and spreading the virus.
Look at all the contact involved in sports, particularly in football and basketball. You cannot “social distance” when you are making a tackle in football or attempting to block a shot in basketball.
When you are on a sports team, you are interacting with other schools.
Our schools here in Coahoma County could be doing everything right, but the school on the opposite side may not be as careful. Schools cannot control what teams they play in division matchups.
I think back to the 2020 football season in early November when I was exposed to COVID.
This came before I was able to take the vaccine in the spring.
As many of you know, the Clarksdale High School football team was forced to forfeit its second-round playoff game due to a COVID outbreak. Several athletes on the team contracted the virus.
Well, in that first round game, I was on the sideline taking photos, notes and going live on videos. I had to get tested for COVID.
Fortunately, my test came back negative, but I had to wait a few days for the results and it was not an easy time.
Now, everyone does have the opportunity to take the vaccine. It is something we should do for ourselves and those around us.
Richards had the leadership to make it happen for the CCSD. Let’s keep the ball rolling and urge our friends, family and those around us to take the vaccine.
