Aug. 03, 2020
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) issued the following statement regarding the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (PIAA) decision to ban spectators from high school sporting events this fall over COVID-19 concerns.
“This decision is a complete overreach. It is absolutely ridiculous that parents will be unable to watch their children compete on the playing field.
“My legislative office has heard from a number of parents who are upset because they will miss seeing their child compete in his or her senior year. Other parents have called with concerns over sports injuries and how they believe they should have the right to access their child and make sure that proper medical assistance is provided.
“Playing sports also helps student athletes stay physically and mentally healthy.
“We need to base decisions on facts and science. Families are doing everything asked of them with social distancing and masking. These same restrictions can be implemented at sporting events.
“There are several ways to social distance at sporting events including sitting/standing and wearing masks. Obviously, being able to watch your child play is important, but the fear of them getting injured and not being there is even greater.
“Most who are diagnosed with COVID-19 are not being hospitalized or showing symptoms. We need to continue collaborating with our hospitals and health officials to prevent further spread of the virus.
“The PIAA completely jumped the gun on this. Meanwhile, the governor has 500 school districts operating by their own rules due to his hands-off approach.”
Toohil also has signed on to letters sent by House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) to Gov. Tom Wolf and PIAA President Francis Majikes requesting the decision be reversed or modified. The letters are attached
here and
here.
Representative Tarah Toohil
116th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: Rep. Toohil’s Office
717-260-6136
www.RepToohil.com /
Facebook.com/RepToohil