As a runner for Summit High School in Bend, Oregon, Maggie WIlliams is proud of her athleticism. However, she collapsed at the finish line during a recent 800-meter run, and she did so for a very telling reason. Needless to say, people are very outraged over this incident.
You see, part of the reason why Williams collapsed in the first place is because of the mask mandate that the state has imposed for high school athletes. Runners like Maggie WIlliams compete with the elements such as the wind and the sun already, so does it really make sense for them to wear a mask? Apparently, the bureaucrats with the state athletic board seemed to think so.
Williams’ coach is Dave Turnbull, and she said that she suffered something called “complete oxygen debt” and ended up falling face-first a couple of meters shy of the finish line. She was unresponsive when the paramedics reached her.
“I have been coaching track and field for 31 years, and I’ve never seen anyone lose consciousness,” Coach Turnbull said. “I’ve never seen it in that way, and I’ve never it happen to Maggie like that.” Indeed, this is totally crazy and completely irresponsible by the state authorities. What if something catastrophic had happened?
In the wind-up, it all turned out well. Williams ultimately broke a school record after her momentum carried her to the finish line. However, she is now being monitored for a concussion according to the Oregonian.
“I have to say I am very concerned with the mask rule,” Coach Turnbull said. “Here is what I am worried about: you get a kid that is running this 800 relay with the mask on and that’s all well and good, but it’s actually dangerous for them. They are not getting much-needed oxygen. This is a rule that needs to be changed.”
“Unfortunately, in Oregon, we are bound to follow the Oregon Health Authority. The OHA dictates some things during this COVID crisis that are not reasonable. These people that work with the board should come out and see how hard it is to run the 800 with a mask on, no less.”
Coach Turnbull is apparently a man who doesn’t mince words.
Change of Heart
Sure enough, after Coach Turnbull criticized the OHA, they had a change of heart. The OHA said this Monday that they would no longer require high school athletes to wear masks during outdoor sports and non-contact outdoor sports, according to the bulletin.
Coach Turnbull is a man who couldn’t be happier about the new mask mandate. “This is a huge step in the right direction,” he said to the bulletin. “We don’t want another incident like Maggie WIlliams to happen again.” s
Agreed, Coach Turnbull. Agreed. Making a kid wear a mask during their track and field meet has liability written all over it.
Of course, in another news, there was actually a coach in New Hampshire who was fired for not abiding by the mask mandate and refusing to make his runners wear it. Coach Bradley Keyes called this mask requirement, “Cowardly, irrational, and sensless bulls**t” in his letter to his former employer, Pembroke Academy.
Indeed. The world has gone nuts. And no, folks, this isn’t a South Park episode. This is real life. EGAD.
What do you think? Your comments are appreciated!