To Mask or Not to Mask? RU Women's Basketball Team Reacts to Covid Protocols During the Season

Have you ever wondered what is was like to play a basketball game with paper and elastic around your mouth and nose? These women know exactly what that feels like. I spoke to a few players on the team after the game to get an understanding of their feelings on the protocols.

I spoke to Senior Nicole Poole (No. 0) to grasp a basic understanding of the protocols.

"Everyone that attends games must show their vaccine card and must be masked during the entirety of the game regardless of their vaccination status. Players must be fully vaccinated and we are tested twice a week in order to be on the no mask list during games." Poole also added that the protocols are changing throughout the season. "It was a struggle before they lifted the mask rule on the court because it was hard to breathe. Now, since I'm vaccinated and get tested twice a week I don't have to wear it while playing!" When asked if she had any suggestions for protocols, Nicole stated "Honestly, no. I am just going with the rules that are enforced and playing the game I love."

Next, I was able to get in contact with Sophomore Shawna Conger (No. 24) to get her perception of the protocols and if it affects the game at all. "These protocols don't really affect much. "It just makes us a little busier since we have to get tested and other things like that." Shawna went on to say she believes the protocols are effective at lowering the transmission of the virus. "Doing something is better than doing nothing at all to prevent the spread."

Finally, Sophomore Gabrielle Beggs (No. 1) voiced her concerns about some of the protocols and showed gratitude to the school for providing some of the protocols that lower the transmission of the virus. Beggs exclaimed some of the hardships that come with the protocols. "It takes a toll on our bodies physically and mentally. We are forced to change our scheduling around in order to go get covid tests. Honestly, it just takes a lot of time out of our day. It requires us to make time to get tested on top of our daily activities like school and practice." Beggs also noted that mask policies can cause unintended consequences. "When we're on the court, asking to wear a mask is a lot. We already know you need to be in shape to run and wearing a mask during that just is asking a lot to me. However, we do what we have to do to play the game we love." Beggs lastly spoke about the scarifies made for the protocols as well as the support from Roosevelt. "The protocols do have a higher impact on us not getting the virus, but like everything, it's the chance you take. We're grateful that our school and administration goes above and beyond to protect our health."

The Roosevelt University stat book doesn't look different from year to year. Points, rebounds, and assists are recorded as usual. However, the stats don't show the differences in the players everyday lives. A player pre covid potentially had less day to day tasks in order to fulfill their duties as a teammate. Athletes playing during the pandemic may face obstacles in regards to the pandemic that other generations would not have faced.

Source contact info

Nicole Poole: npoole@mail.roosevelt.edu

Shawna Conger: sconger@mail.roosevelt.edu

Gabrielle Beggs: gbeggs@mail.roosevelt.edu