East Bay parents, students rally for high school sports to resume amid pandemic

MORAGA, Calif. (KGO) -- Groups of parents and students across California participated in rallies late Friday afternoon to demand the governor to allow high school sports to resume. This, despite the high number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. But they argue that there is a way to modify sports to play in a safe manner.

Their demands were straightforward -- Let high school athletes return to sports. The meeting place was outside Campolindo High School in Moraga which hasn't had competitive sports since COVID-19 forced the closure of the school.

Football Coach Kevin Macy says it's been too long.

RELATED: UCSF doctors push for reopening California schools by Feb. 1

"The COVID concerns are being outweighed by the mental health issues, now, so much more detrimental that they're not playing sports," said Macy, who has coached the football team at Campolindo for 25 years.

California is one of five states pausing fall sports for high school teams.

"It's heartbreaking to see that potentially they had something in high school they can no longer do that when they go to college," said Denise Siri, an Orinda resident.

Others think the COVID-19 numbers are too high to bring back high school athletes. "I see football players without a mask, I get concerned particularly when I watch pro sports none of them are wearing masks," one man told ABC7.

Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatrics reported that doctors are concerned that COVID-19 has created the perfect conditions for kids to gain excess weight because, in part, their favorite sports are no longer an option at schools.

RELATED: Reopening CA Schools: Some praise Newsom's plan, others say it's too difficult for some districts

There have been studies like one from the University of Wisconsin last October which found that that state's high school sports has not caused an increase in COVID infections among their athletes.

Coach Macy says it can also be safely done here in California.

"We've been running camps all summer long, through fall and into winter and data have been collected and we've had no incidents of any type of COVID related in that demographic of kids," added Macy.

With no date in sight to resume sports, the Golden State High School Football Community is gathering data to show Gov. Gavin Newsom that schools are prepared to practice sports safely.

DOCTOR'S NOTE: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic

If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.

Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here

RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:

• From COVID-19 to Black Lives Matter, these 13 people defined the Bay Area in 2020
• Map: CA counties that can, can't reopen under new rules
• CALCULATOR: Find out how many people may get a COVID-19 vaccine before you
• VIDEO: When will I get the COVID-19 vaccine? We explain who goes 1st
• COVID-19 risk calculator: The safest and most dangerous things to do this holiday season
• Want to get a COVID-19 test in time for the holidays? Here's what you need to know
• Updated number of COVID-19 deaths, cases in Bay Area
• Map shows everywhere you can get a COVID-19 test in the Bay Area
• COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during pandemic
• California EDD: The most commonly asked questions we get about unemployment and PUA
• Health experts urge flu shots in effort to avoid 'twindemic'
• How to tell the difference between seasonal allergies and coronavirus symptoms
• Here's which mask is better to protect from COVID-19
• First COVID-19 vaccine volunteers in US describe experience as Bay Area launches vaccine trials
• Coronavirus origin: Where did COVID-19 come from?
• What is a COVID-19 genetic, antigen and antibody test?
• What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
• What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
• Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
• Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area
• Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic