At sports events, let players choose

Last night I attended a high school basketball game at Stevenson High School. The Daily Herald's sports department did a phenomenal job of covering the game with some excellent pictures. In those pictures, you will clearly see, as I did in person, one team wearing masks and the other team with their masks completely under their chin with no attempt to wear them correctly which was led by their coach who never attempted to wear his even when engaging the referees at close range.

My point is that if we are going to make the players wear masks, then everyone should have to wear it correctly or let's not do it at all. The fact that high school basketball has added a mask time-out every quarter tells you this is an unhealthy thing for the athletes. Restricting airflow while doing a high cardio sport cannot be good for anyone, including the referees who could be advanced in age.

In my opinion, if you are sitting on the bench or in the stands, then you should wear a mask, but if you're actively participating at a high level it should be a personal choice.

Bryan Peterson

Libertyville