5:55 a.m. - Yesterday afternoon the Governor, along with the Illinois Department of Health, ticked off a lot of people by reclassifying basketball as a high risk sport. Honestly, I'm not sure how it was ranked as a medium risk sport previously, but the designation basically kills the start of basketball in November unless something miraculous happens today and the IHSA is somehow able to convince enough folks that mitigation and safety efforts planned by the IHSA can safely allow basketball (and wrestling) to occur. I'd like to say that this new decision was a surprise, but I'm not. COVID-19 cases are surging now, and if Illinois wasn't going to play sports like volleyball and football in the Fall, how in the heck would it justify basketball now? Of course at the same time all of this is happening in Illinois, Iowa is forging ahead with its state series in volleyball, and I'm assuming football will occur too. I did hear last night on the tail end of a volleyball story an athlete seem to express that they were playing each game as if it might be their last. To me that seemed to indicate that perhaps Iowa schools are getting ready to hear restrictions occur from their state government as well.
For me, not officiating basketball in Illinois is a big hit. I did umpire IESA softball in Illinois this past summer/fall, and I did umpire USSSA youth softball in Iowa, but I was able to wear a mask and maintain social distancing guidelines enough to feel comfortable. I also officiated a few IGHSAU volleyball matches and felt comfortable wearing a mask and social distancing in that activity. I basically am around teenagers every day indoors in a setting that doesn't generally permit the recommended six-feet, and I wear a mask and wash my hands. While I'm not really crazy about doubling the amount of teenagers in my classroom under the same circumstances, I don't have much of a choice. I honestly felt like officiating a basketball game with no spectators in a gymnasium would have been something to try. While officiating volleyball does include players breathing hard, yelling, etc.. there still is a distance factor for the officials. I'm not sure that same distance would always be possible with basketball, but in most cases keeping at least six feet from players and coaches would be possible. I already contacted my assignor that assigns a lot of Iowa basketball to see what may be available over there. If I could even work fresh/soph games or junior high games a two-to-three times a week, I could perhaps avoid trying to find different part-time work.
I feel sad for the senior basketball players. I know that if in 1984 this would have happened and basketball would have been postponed, I would have been devastated. Of course, players now have a lot more opportunities to play in the off-season that I did back then, but the high school season is a special time for players.
3:28 p.m. - Let the feathers fly! The IHSA is going forward with allowing basketball to be played...no spectators and everyone has to wear masks. Let's see how the Governor's office reacts to this one.
Things to do for school
- Complete another evaluation of Mrs. Mitola today. DONE
- 10 a.m. Friday...Cub Cadet gets picked up by Jacob Longcor
- Nov. 12 - 9:45 a.m. check up with Dr. Wang
- Dec. 15 - 8:00 a.m. dentist appointment
- Dec. 21 - 6:30 a.m. colonoscopy
- write out and mail November bills - DONE
- reorder checks - DONE
- Fix the green door.
- Check gmail messages.
- Wash the trailer.
- Winterize the trailer.
- Stats
- February 29 was the first reported positive case in Illinois.
- March 20, there were 585 reported positive cases.
- As of May 29 (3 months), there were 120,260 positive cases and 5,390 deaths.
- As of June 29 (4 months), there were 142, 461 positive cases and 6,902 deaths.
- As of July 31 (5 months), there were 178,837 positive cases and 7,495 deaths.
- As of August 29 (6 months), there were 231,363 positive cases and 8,008 deaths.
- How did I miss September 29?
- As of October 29 (8 months), there were
- ILLINOIS PREVIOUS DAY
- hospitalizations - 589
- ILLINOIS YESTERDAY
- hospitalizations - 595
- ILLINOIS TODAY
- hospitalizations - 600
- ROCK ISLAND COUNTY
- YESTERDAY
- RI County - 4,128 positive cases; 90 deaths
- 61284 - 57 reported positive cases
- TODAY
- RI County - 4,173 positive cases; 93 deaths
- 61284 - 62 reported positive cases
a humble heart, that I may hear;
a heart of love, that I may serve;
a heart of faith, that I may abide in the spirit.
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