Message board »Message Board home »Sign-in or register to get started
Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 67 anonymousDiscussion: COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
| Posted | Discussion |
| Feb. 26, 2021 Schwaz 7 posts | COVID 19 PROTOCOLS Ladies & Gentlemen, We hope to be restarting our local Senior Softball league in Southern California and will be developing local pandemic protocols. What are the most recent or updated SSUSA Pandemic Protocols? I've reviewed the Sep 11th Newsletter and the Apr 29th 2020, Vol 6, Edition 6 guidelines and was wondering if their were any additional guidelines or lessons learned from tournaments since these guidelines were developed. Respectfully, Jack Schwarzel |
| Feb. 26, 2021 DieselDan Men's 75 600 posts | Can't recall the SSUSA guidelines, but what I've seen at recent tournaments attended is face coverings for umpires, catches, base coaches, but not for batters and defense. Everyone in dugouts and outside the field are to use face coverings. One teammate chuckled a couple of months ago when the on deck batter needed a covering with no one within 12-15 feet, but not in the batters box with two people within 8 feet or so. In Yuma, there was a mask covering person reminding those who were not wearing their covering. Since face shields are almost useless, hopefully directors at USA tournaments will not wear them this year as they tell us to mask up. |
| Feb. 27, 2021 ALLPRO 63 posts | How about those of us that have had both vaccine shots! What's the purpose if we still have to wear masks and please don't quote Dr. Gloom and Doom Fauci! |
| Feb. 27, 2021 SSUSA Staff 3485 posts | To those of you who have had both vaccination shots (for Pfizer or Moderna) or your first/only one (for Johnson & Johnson), congratulations on getting it accomplished in sometimes trying circumstances and thank you for reducing the risk of getting or transmitting the COVID virus within the Senior Softball community of players and officials ... Here is the official statement of SSUSA on this topic ... __________ The SSUSA COVID-19 Pandemic Protocols will very likely remain in effect unless and until the EFFECTIVE RATE OF PROTECTION is certified to be 100% for the vaccines in the marketplace OR the pandemic is declared by the CDC as ended ... Recent testing updates indicate these estimated effective rates for Pfizer (95%), Moderna (94%) and Johnson & Johnson (72%) following full dosage and appropriate post-vaccination waiting times ... Accordingly, the SSUSA protocols will be actively enforced at all SSUSA administered tournaments ... In many instances, there will also be locally mandated additional protocols which SSUSA is required to implement and enforce ... In summary, any player or guest who refuses to follow the safety rules will be ejected from the complex for the good of everyone else in the park ... Thank you and good luck! ... |
| Feb. 27, 2021 ALLPRO 63 posts | In other words "thanks for nothing"! Fauci and the CDC are full of never ending contradictory information! Following them is like the "blind leading the blind"! You are based in California, don't you realize what a disaster the lockdowns have caused! |
| Feb. 27, 2021 SSUSA Staff 3485 posts | Gary, you seem to want to steer this thread into a political forum for your personal views ... We are completely disinterested in that approach because it's both irrelevant and immune from our ability to remedy your objections ... Let's stay clearly on point here: There will be SSUSA and, depending on the site location, Nevada or Utah COVID-19 safety protocols in place for the upcoming SSUSA's 2021 Spring World Championships ... If you choose to be a player and/or spectator, you will be presumed to fully cooperate with those protocols ... You certainly won't be forced to comply, but your noncompliance will result in being ejected (and possibly barred) from the facilities ... Thanks in advance for your gracious cooperation ... |
| Feb. 27, 2021 Schwaz 7 posts | SSUSA Staff - My original question was to "what are the most recent or updated SSUSA Pandemic Protocols"?. I've got my opinion based on REAL science what is working or not working (I think for myself), but I'm just looking at what other organizations are implementing so, we can some what mirror their guidelines. California is a strange place to live and try to play adult sports, but we will leave that to another discussion. :) Thanks for everyone's assistance. Regards, Jack |
| Feb. 27, 2021 SSUSA Staff 3485 posts | Schwaz ... Here "..are the most recent or updated SSUSA Pandemic Protocols.." ... We are not aware of the specifics of ANY other organization's related policies or protocols ... NOTE: In EVERY jurisdiction where we have run a tournament in the past year during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been subjected to additional requirements at the State, County and/or Local jurisdiction levels ... If you are interested in resuming your local league activities or promoting tournament events, you are advised to fully investigate the State, County and Local requirements first ... Good luck! ... __________ • COVID-19 Pandemic" SSUSA Tourney Protocols |
| Feb. 27, 2021 Schwaz 7 posts | As I mentioned in my original text, we hope to be RESTARTING our local Senior Softball league and would be developing local protocols. Thank You SSUSA Staff, thats what I was looking for...what were your current pandemic protocols. Good luck to everyone out their, unless you happen to live in California...we are at the mercy of the political elites. Semper Fi!! |
| March 2, 2021 Turning2 Men's 70 204 posts | SSUSA Staff - in reading the above posts, it appears to me that ALLPRO has unfairly been addressed or maybe the term is "dressed down" by your response. He expressed nothing that could be traced back to any political position, only expressing frustration with results from different decisions that have been imposed on the populous by whomever is in either a state government, local government, or even a softball league or association leadership role. He speaks the truth when he says that Dr Fauci and the CDC have wafted back and forth on many topics and i agree with his only stated question or objection, "what is the purpose of getting the vaccine shots if you still have to wear a mask, outdoors, in the sunlight while playing a sport?" I clicked on your attached SSUSA Tourney Protocols and part of your protocol is " SSUSA Directors and umpires will wear either face shields or face masks." Science has proven that the face shields are ineffective, practically useless, yet this is still a part of your protocol. Below is one of the many quotes from scientific research concerning data garnered in Japan, which is probably the world's leaders in wearing masks. "The use of plastic face shields without a face mask covering underneath is largely ineffective at stopping the spread of COVID-19, a new study shows. Riken, a government-backed researcher center in Kobe, Japan, conducted the study by using Fugaku, the world’s fastest supercomputer, according to the New York Times and the Guardian. So maybe everyone ease up a little with how the contributors to these posts are addressed and treated. Probably no one person or group has all the answers, but certainly everyone should be allowed to express their opinions when done within the confines and format set up for this forum website. When bold type and italics are used in a response, that is the same as raising your voice above all the others so that you will be heard. A response that rings out, "this is the way it's going to be, take it or leave it" |
| March 2, 2021 SSUSA Staff 3485 posts | Turning2 ... We may have a difference of opinion on when a person is making a politically motivated statement ... His clear references to "..please don't quote Dr. Gloom and Doom Fauci!.." and "..Fauci and the CDC are full of never ending contradictory information! Following them is like the "blind leading the blind"!.." meet my definition of political and that's really all that counts ... As the moderator here, the total number of votes required to make that determination is exactly one (that would be mine) ... And if you decide to wander over to the Tidewater event coming up in Virginia Beach in a couple weeks, we'll thank you in advance for YOUR full and gracious cooperation with the protocols ... It's a difficult enough task for our Tournament Directors and Staff to have to constantly police those who exhibit varying levels of disregard for the protocols and, by extension, the health and welfare of those who comply ... SSUSA will be taking the hard-line approach on compliance, because the alternative is having a municipality cancel a tournament in progress because of the selfish interests of a few ... So, yes, the protocols and their enforcement are in effect as you observed: "this is the way it's going to be, take it or leave it" ... We wouldn't state it so succinctly, but you are entirely accurate ... |
| March 2, 2021 B.J. 1105 posts | staff.. well said |
| March 2, 2021 Turning2 Men's 70 204 posts | SSUSA - appears that a nerve has been struck. Sad to see a statement from the moderator that explicitly says " meet my definition of political and that's really all that counts ... Judge, jury, and executioner all rolled into one, simply in response to what i thought might be constructive criticism. Pardon me for overstepping my place as a member of this forum website. But you can't dodge your sarcastic and clearly inappropriate invitation to me to "wander over" to an upcoming event. I'm one of many SR softball players that frequent this site, stating an opinion that may be appropriate to the conversation, just asking for your consideration and on occasion to have an inward reflection on how you are viewed or perceived by the forum. I'll not be petty nor sarcastic, but again suggest that you re-word your SSUSA Tourney Protocols to more aptly state the science of Covid-19 awareness and prevention of this virus, RE: face shields and their merit. Possibly for tournament play, stickers stating, "i'm fully vaccinated" like the ones that are given after voting, "I VOTED" could be given to participants, organizers, grounds keepers, umpires to increase awareness and also show participants as well as organizers full support for beating this terrible pandemic. Just a suggestion. |
| March 2, 2021 SSUSA Staff 3485 posts | Turning2 ... In the general order of your points ... • It does appear one of your nerves has been struck ...But no reason for you to be agitated over my judgement calls on message board content ... I'm like an umpire ... You may not like it, but the judgment call is not subject to appeal and isn't going to change .. • I'm good with constructive criticism ... Respectfully, your "..Judge, jury and executioner all rolled into one.." comment doesn't fall into that category either ... Apology accepted for your over-stepping ... • You're from the East if your user data is to be believed ... The term "..wander over.." out here in the West has no evil eastern connotation, and in fact is more of a casual invitation to drop by and enjoy good company ... • I'm a full time Tournament Administration specialist here ... Ask around if you're curious what that job entails for me ... I'm also a non-compensated Message Board moderator, so maybe you just get what you pay for there! ... But I'm NOT the COVID-19 protocols director (that would be Mr. Terry Hennessy, our C.E.O.) ... If you have constructive suggestions on how that should work, send an identifiable email to info@seniorsoftball.com with "COVID Protocols" in the subject line ... He's on the road for all but the last couple of days in march, but he might respond before then ... • The "..I'm Fully Vaccinated.." stickers are a cute novelty, but we won't be going that direction, either ... Issuing those would no doubt encourage the FALSE presumption that being in that status (like I am) is somehow a waiver of full compliance with the COVID protocols ... That's counter to our enforcement priorities ... |
| March 2, 2021 yellowjacket95 Men's 55 36 posts | Just my 2 cents... Wearing a sticker that says one has been vaccinated doesn't necessarily mean that they have. You are trusting people... ALL people and no doubt there are people out there that don't believe in the wearing of masks or getting the vaccination and certainly would wear a sticker to avoid wearing a mask when in fact they haven't had any vaccination. While I know this is most likely the minority that doesn't matter. Both my father and I play senior ball and I certainly don't want him around anyone that might unknowingly or knowingly have COVID and could possibly transmit it to him because they refuse to get vaccinated or wear a mask. A 'sticker' doesn't cut it for me. I do NOT like wearing a mask but I do so because I choose to put others well being and health above my own. I personally had COVID back in September and I was lucky in that I didn't have it too bad. To me it is easier to comply and wear a mask regardless of my personal views or what the powers that be tell me to do. Good luck with your 'choice' and hopefully we all remain healthy and can get past this pandemic sooner rather than later. |
| March 2, 2021 Dbax Men's 65 2100 posts | Yellowjacket, two thumbs up! |
| March 2, 2021 Turning2 Men's 70 204 posts | Staff and Yellowjacket. Suggested the sticker as a reinforcement of what is being implemented, not as a replacement for masks. Very similar to teams wearing a pink ribbon or pink attire for the support of women who have or have battled breast cancer, as a reference I have a pink breast cancer pin that I wear as my oldest daughter is 8 yrs now cancer free from breast cancer I understand the association’s obligation and steps they take to do their best to keep everyone safe Stickers issued by the tournament committee or association again as I stated above would be to “help bring awareness” to all attending and participating not as a substitute for social distancing and wearing masks. From the Southeast. And why would my user data not be correct, I’ve nothing to hide, no ulterior motive on my part, just took up for a fellow poster and no ill intentions meant on anything I said. |
| March 2, 2021 yellowjacket95 Men's 55 36 posts | Turning... so you are going to have to ask every player that has been vaccinated to show proof so they can get a sticker? I certainly dont take people at their word regarding the pandemic. I am sure SSUSA will love having to manage something like that... NOT! lol BTW... congrats on your daughter beating breast cancer and being 8 years without! That's awesome. |
| March 2, 2021 Turning2 Men's 70 204 posts | Yellowjacket. - it’s a gesture brother, never suggested anyone to have to manage a program, nor interrogate a player , ask for proof of anything. You said you’ve had the virus, I believe you, no need to prove a thing to me. I’ve had first shot, second scheduled 3/12, I would hope that you would believe me also. Making way too much of this topic, let’s move on. |
| March 2, 2021 TimMcElroy 942 posts | Let's try this from another angle. Nobody in the sports tourism industry wants to be the host of a super spreader event. Failing to take precautions for your customers could lead to financial ruin for you, and the industry as a whole. A high percentage of SSUSA's customer base falls into the "high risk" category. For them, that is a multiplier. Not doing enough simply isn't an option. If you're coming to the park, wear the damn mask. |
| March 2, 2021 Dbax Men's 65 2100 posts | 👍👍 Common sense. |
| March 3, 2021 bkb555 301 posts | I went to a wedding last summer...they gave out wrist bands, red, yellow and green....RED meant stay away, no hugs no contact, stay away...YELLOW meant elbow bumps, talking at 6 feet and socially distancing themselves and GREEN meant no problems, come on in to meet me....it all boils down to common sense but one thing for sure, the rules are set just like traffic signals and we must follow to play...it's a privilege and not a right |
| March 3, 2021 B.J. 1105 posts | well said Tim |
| March 3, 2021 curveball Men's 65 705 posts | "Gary, you seem to want to steer this thread into a political forum for your personal views .." Isn't the entire protocol your using based on political, and not science? With the decisions certain municipalities have made, it's obvious it's political. I agree with you, protections are a must. BUT, at what level, therein lies the political. |
| March 3, 2021 DaveDowell Men's 70 4312 posts | curveball ... It's extremely difficult to argue your fundamental premise that politics plays some role in the COVID public policy decisions ... However, that "debate" occurs at the State and local level, not on this Message Board ... As a tax exempt [under IRS §501)(c)(4)] entity, we are not interested in exposing that exempt status to revocation due to political involvement ... We work behind the scenes with a LOT of States, counties and cities to influence and shape logical COVID protocols that make sense to us and are consistent with our "game" being played safely by as many participants as possible ... That private procedural approach will remain ... Thanks! ... |
| March 3, 2021 yellowjacket95 Men's 55 36 posts | And just like Paul Harvey... now you have "the rest of the story"! lol Thanks Dave! |
| March 3, 2021 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | What is the big deal here. We were playing ball when other others were and LOCKED DOWN. I have no problem following protocols whether I agree with them or not. Not the point, small sacrifice for an opportunity. As in other situations, if you don't like it, just don't play. |
| March 3, 2021 AJC Men's 60 218 posts | Agree with Sodtball4b, its not really a big deal to wear a mask so we can take the field. It sure beats not playing. Im sure the connotation of ' senior softball " could be a tough sell to local governments who hear that and envision a bunch of old guys who are more at risk of hospitalization if they contract Covid. We are lucky to be playing at all, lets keep each other safe. |
