LANSING, MI (WTVB) – As had been expected in recent days, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is being taken to court over its COVID-19 decisions concerning contact winter sports.
The coalition known as “LetThemPlay” announced Tuesday morning they had filed the suit against Director Elizabeth Hertel in an effort to have basketball, wrestling, competitive cheer and hockey begin competition.
Attorney Peter Ruddell is acting on behalf of the coalition.
Ruddell said they listed six reasons in the suit why the M.D.H.H.S. should reverse their decision. Among them was the data and science which Ruddell says supports the resumption of youth sports.
He also pointed out how neighboring states have been able to conduct winter sports while Michigan athletes have remained on the sidelines.
Winter sports in Michigan along with the fall tournaments for football, girls volleyball and girls swimming were paused in mid November due to a surge of COVID-19 cases in the state.
The non contact sports of bowling, gymnastics and boys swimming were allowed to begin practice on January 16 and their seasons have gotten underway. The fall tournaments were also allowed to finish in January.
But the M.D.H.H.S. has extended bans on the contact sports three times and their decisions have upset athletes, parents, coaches and many school administrators.
