‘No question’: Kansas health officer warns Big 12 football increases COVID-19 risks

Kansas’s top health official warned on Wednesday “there’s no question” the Big 12’s decision to play football this fall places players, coaches and spectators at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.

The caution was issued after the conference made official its decision to proceed with fall sports as the coronavirus continues its rampage across the country. Big 12 officials outlined measures such as regular testing that they hope will assure athlete safety.

“Well, there’s no question that both to the athletes themselves and to the spectators and coaching staff – it puts them at increased risk,” Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Lee Norman told reporters.

Norman referenced two athletic conferences – the Big 10 and PAC 12 – that announced Tuesday they were postponing their seasons.

“I mean, the Big 10 and the PAC 12 didn’t make that decision lightly,” he said.

The Big 12 plans to play football along with the SEC and ACC. But big questions remain unanswered, including exactly how many fans will be allowed into games. Kansas State University has only said “limited” fan capacity will be available at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, for example.

Meanwhile, Kansas continues to report more than 1,000 new virus cases a week. As of Wednesday, 395 people have died.

Big 12 schools plan to test athletes in high-contact sports, such as football, for COVID-19 three times a week.

“It’s the belief of our doctors that we can put our student-athletes in a situation where they are less likely to be affected under supervision and surveillance and testing than they would if they were in the general population,” Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said.

The Star’s Blair Kerkhoff and The Eagle’s Kellis Robinett contributed reporting

This story was originally published August 12, 2020 at 5:52 PM with the headline "‘No question’: Kansas health officer warns Big 12 football increases COVID-19 risks."