St. Regis Mohawk Tribe wasn't consulted in crafting sports safety plans; health director acknowledges more shutdowns could occur

By Andy Gardner

The director of St. Regis Mohawk Health Services says tribal officials were not consulted or asked to review the high-risk sports safety plans recently passed by the respective Salmon River and Massena boards of education. Meanwhile, public health directors in Franklin and St. Lawrence County acknowledge that there will still be a risk of transmitting COVID-19 as a result.

“We have not been asked to review any type of plan,” said Mike Cook, St. Regis Mohawk Health Services director. “I believe as a courtesy; the tribe should be allowed to review and comment on those plans.”

Franklin County and St. Lawrence County public health directors both acknowledge that holding high-risk winter sports such as hockey and basketball bring risks.

“Resumption of high-risk sports activities does not mean they are safe or without risk, acknowledging the important role of sports school plans in compliance of the guidance have met requirements to resume,” Franklin County Public Health Director Kathleen Strack said.

“Resuming these activities does not mean that they are safe or without risk,” St. Lawrence County Public Health Director Dr. Dana McGuire said.

Franklin County Public Health is requiring all student athletes be tested for COVID-19, and St. Lawrence County is not. When asked why, Dr. McGuire didn’t directly answer the question, but said they are recommending all student athletes be tested on a volunteer basis.

“Any plan should implement the guidance outlined by the Public Health Department. Testing is strongly recommended and based on the county’s current infection rate it is considered best practice. We expect that schools would implement the safest plans possible,” she said.

When asked what the real risk is for COVID-19 to spread to elderly and vulnerable community members as a result of interscholastic athletics, the directors offered contrasting answers.

“The public health challenge is the potential for student athletes to transmit the infection to members of their own families, or members of their community who are more vulnerable to COVID. Those infected might have no relationship to the student athlete. Consequences for these affected individuals could include prolonged hospitalization, chronic disability, or even death,” McGuire said.

Strack said she feels there is “no data to determine” the risk.

Dr. McGuire acknowledged that there is a possibility that holding high-risk sports could further strain her county’s already limited contact tracing and case investigation capabilities. They’ve had to delegate many of those duties to a state-run virtual team.

“Public health staff and resources are finite. Any increase in demand will take away from other response efforts we are able to carry out including vaccination distribution and administration efforts, as well as case investigation and contact tracing,” she said.

When asked if holding the high-risk sports could lead to more school shutdowns, the directors’ answers also varied.

“That is a real possibility. Resuming these activities does not mean that they are safe or without risk. Those participating in such activities should assess their individual situation to decide whether to participate. Additionally, those with underlying health conditions should talk to their health care provider prior to participating,” Dr. McGuire said.

“I can’t project that answer,” Strack said.

Proponents of holding high-risk winter sports argued they are a possible alleviation to pandemic-induced mental health troubles for athletes. When asked if school shutdowns because of COVID-19 cases could affect the mental health of non-athletes forced into remote learning, neither gave a clear answer.

“We would expect that superintendents and school boards would take the needs of all their students when making these decisions,” Dr. McGuire said.

“I don’t know about that one,” Strack replied.

An issue leading to school shutdowns is bus drivers either contracting COVID-19 or being forced to quarantine because of possible exposure. When asked if holding sports could compound that issue, the two directors also offered different answers.

“Any increase in cases could lead to increased quarantines for bus drivers who are not yet fully vaccinated,” Dr. McGuire said.

“I’m not aware of a bus driver shortage problem,” Strack said.

At the February Salmon River school board meeting, their sports safety plan passed by an 8-0 vote.

Dr. William LaTreille addressed the board prior to the vote, and said he is in favor of sports, but didn’t get into details about risks of more shutdowns and the disease possibly spreading from athletics to vulnerable community members.

“There’s risk in whether you do something or whether you don’t do something. With regard to students, they need the social interaction. They need the camaraderie they develop in sports. They need the competition,” Dr. LaTreille said. “I would support very strongly getting back to school and getting back to sports.”

“I think the plan put together here is remarkably good,” he added.

The doctor said that medical professionals believe attending school for academics is a COVID-safe situation for the students.

“Being in school is pretty safe. We think in many cases it’s safer than being at home” he said. “All the things that can happen in an unsupervised household ... it’s a real mess.”

He did, however, urge everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Get vaccinated. If you’re on the fence, get off the fence” “Seeing people suffer from the disease like I do. We know the vaccine is not perfect ... it’s our best shot,” LaTreille said.

Salmon River Athletic Director Shawn Miller said the plan involves a number of precautions. Student athletes must arrive to games dressed. There will be no locker room usage. There will be no handshakes. Everyone must be masked at all times. Spectators are not allowed, but games will be livestreamed over the internet. Every person there for games, whether players, coaches or game personnel, must be documented for contract tracing purposes. There will also be restrictions on how many players can travel to a game, and how many can sit on a roster for a game. Miller also said basketball may be required to stay within Franklin County.

Board of Education Trustee Agnes “Sweets” Jacobs said she thinks they need to move toward holding sports.

“I think the kids really need this, they’re at a time in their life right now where they don’t have that socialization ... this is going to be something they look forward to,” she said.

After the board passed the high-risk sports plan, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stanley Harper thanked the trustees for favoring it.

“I can’t thank you enough,” he said. “This means a lot to families, kids, staff members. This is a big part of who we are at Salmon River, these activities.”