HARFORD COUNTY, Md. — A parent in Harford County said her kids are "crushed" after learning their sports tournaments have been suspended under new virus restrictions announced by the county executive.
Mandi White said one of her sons was set to play in a Lacrosse tournament this weekend and had a soccer tournament the following week. The tournaments are now canceled because of the new restrictions that included suspending the use of county field for outdoor sporting events.
"It's a big blow for them," she said. "It's really disappointing."
She said her family has been hit with a double whammy. White said the news comes after both of her kids attended their first and potentially their last day of in-person learning for the semester. On Monday, county schools decided to go fully virtual due to rising COVID-19 cases.
“Within a week, within four days, we had all of that taken away for our kid," she said. "It makes me really sad. And I can tell it makes them really sad.”
In Harford County, the positivity rate is above 7 percent for the first time since June. The county also set a pandemic high with a seven-day average of more than 25 cases per 100,000.
To date, the county 4,329 confirmed with 81 deaths.
In an effort to the control the spread, county executive Barry Glassman is reactivating the county’s pandemic response. Starting Friday at 5 p.m., all county buildings will be closed and county employees will work from home.
Glassman also announced indoor activities at parks and rec facilities will be suspended.
“We’re in a danger zone and we got to double down and protect ourselves," he said.
White said she’s also concerned about the rising case numbers, but she added she’s just as worried about the impact these restrictions could have on her kids.
“I don’t want to belittle COVID and the surge that is happening, but at the same time we need to understand the long-term effects and how it's going to affect our children."
A spokesperson for the Harford County Health Department said sporting events are one of the top 10 contributors for the spread of COVID-19. It's why state and county leaders are urging people to avoid large gatherings, especially this holiday season.
