News Summary
Akron Garfield High School has canceled its Friday night football game against Revere Local Schools due to concerns over hand, foot and mouth disease. This decision comes after two players from Revere were diagnosed with the illness, prompting Akron Public Schools to prioritize student health. The cancellation aims to prevent the potential spread of HFMD within the community. While some parents expressed concerns about overreaction, school officials emphasized the importance of student safety. This incident follows a similar cancellation at Norton High School due to health risks.
Akron – Akron Garfield High School has canceled its scheduled Friday night football game against Revere Local Schools due to concerns regarding hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). This decision highlights ongoing health concerns among student-athletes in local schools.
Revere Local Schools made the announcement after two players from their team were diagnosed with HFMD in the past two weeks. Although the Revere team reported that it remained healthy and prepared for the game, Akron Public Schools opted for precautionary measures. The district, which serves over 19,000 students and employs thousands of staff, recognized the potential for rapid spread of the illness within their community.
The cancellation of the football game was described as a “proactive measure” aimed at preventing any possible transmission of HFMD to athletes and community members. The executive director of school leadership for Akron conveyed that student well-being is a priority that cannot be compromised.
Garfield High School’s football coach expressed disappointment, noting that his team had been eager to play prior to receiving news of the health concerns from Revere. The coaching staff emphasized their thanks to Revere for being transparent about their players’ health situation. The canceled game is not expected to be rescheduled, prompting Akron Public Schools to seek a no-contest ruling from the Ohio High School Athletic Association regarding the match.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is known to be highly contagious and primarily affects children, particularly those under five years old. The symptoms of HFMD typically include fever, sore throat, painful mouth sores, and rashes appearing on the hands and feet. While the illness is uncomfortable, it usually resolves within seven to ten days.
Despite the public health measures taken, some parents have voiced criticism regarding the cancellation, suggesting that such actions could be seen as an overreaction to a relatively benign illness. They argue that other health risks, such as the flu or COVID-19, should also necessitate similar precautions. These discussions reflect the broader community’s debate about balancing health concerns with the importance of maintaining school and athletic activities for students.
This situation follows a similar incident where another local school, Norton, recently canceled a football game due to HFMD concerns. These cancellations highlight the ongoing vigilance required to manage student health amidst contagious diseases often seen in school environments.
Overall, the cancellation of the Garfield versus Revere football game serves as a reminder of the challenges schools face in ensuring the health and safety of their students while navigating the routine aspects of school life, including sports and community engagement.
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HERE Resources
High School Football Game Canceled Due to Health Concerns
Additional Resources
- Fox 8 News
- Wikipedia: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
- Cleveland.com
- Google Search: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
- WKYC
- Google Scholar: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
- Cleveland 19 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
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