Let Them Play organization files lawsuit against MDHHS; MHSAA releases updated COVID-19 numbers

LANSING, Mich. — The Let Them Play movement has taken their game to a whole new level. Tuesday, they filed a lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The organization is pushing the state of Michigan to lift the ban of winter contact sports. At this time, winter contact sports (competitive cheerleading, basketball, wrestling, and ice hockey) cannot compete or fully practice until Feb. 21.

The Michigan Amateur Youth Hockey League along with several parents of student athletes will also be joining the Let Them Play organization as the plaintiffs. The lawsuit cites six violations from the MDHHS.

“We have open restaurants, we have open bars, we have open casinos,” said Lansing attorney Peter Ruddell. “All sorts of indoor activities are allowed. Why not high school sports? Three of four students can go to the mall. They can hangout indoors for hours. They can shop and eat and do whatever they want inside the mall, but they can’t play sports in their high schools.”

Recently, the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) released their latest COVID-19 numbers for high school sports. Contact winter sports have been holding non-contact practices for the past 2.5 weeks. During that time, no issues or outbreaks have been reported.

From Nov. 15 to Feb. 1, the positive test rates for high school sports in Michigan has decreased from 13.6% to 5.1%.  Other bordering states (Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio) also had decreasing positive test rates since Nov. 15. Not only that, high school sports in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio have been practicing and competing since Dec. 1.