Posted on Feb 23, 2022
This reservation has Wyoming's strictest COVID-19 rules. Student athletes are glad
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https://www.npr.org/2022/02/23/ [login to see] /native-american-student-athletes-wyoming-reservation-mask-mandate
Student athletes on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming are grateful mask mandates aren't going away there, even as they continue to fall away across the country. They feel like the mandate has helped keep them healthy and competing as other schools across the state have had to cancel games because of covid infections.
On a recent basketball game night at Wyoming Indian High School in the reservation town of Ethete, the announcer introduces the hometown Chiefs in a mix of English and Arapaho.
The gym is usually packed, but this year because of COVID-19 protocols the crowds have been reduced.
The Wind River Reservation, home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, has had a mask mandate since early in the pandemic. That's unusual in Wyoming, a conservative state where COVID-19 restrictions are not popular.
Chiefs team captain Videl C'Bearing, a senior, says being able to play ball has really helped him get through the pandemic.
"You need physical activity to help you get your mind straight. And that's what I think about basketball, it's therapy. Like when I'm mad, or whatever, my just first thought is, 'Man, I'm gonna go shoot around somewhere,' " he says.
Student athletes on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming are grateful mask mandates aren't going away there, even as they continue to fall away across the country. They feel like the mandate has helped keep them healthy and competing as other schools across the state have had to cancel games because of covid infections.
On a recent basketball game night at Wyoming Indian High School in the reservation town of Ethete, the announcer introduces the hometown Chiefs in a mix of English and Arapaho.
The gym is usually packed, but this year because of COVID-19 protocols the crowds have been reduced.
The Wind River Reservation, home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, has had a mask mandate since early in the pandemic. That's unusual in Wyoming, a conservative state where COVID-19 restrictions are not popular.
Chiefs team captain Videl C'Bearing, a senior, says being able to play ball has really helped him get through the pandemic.
"You need physical activity to help you get your mind straight. And that's what I think about basketball, it's therapy. Like when I'm mad, or whatever, my just first thought is, 'Man, I'm gonna go shoot around somewhere,' " he says.
This reservation has Wyoming's strictest COVID-19 rules. Student athletes are glad
Posted from npr.org
Native Americans
State of Wyoming
Medical
Health
Schools
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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Where necessary mask mandates can keep people safe, this sounds like one of those necessary places.
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Good for them. Glad to see they are acting in their own best interests. I'm sure the state is trying to undo their mandate. But, they don't operate under state law. They are a sovereign nation. Hope the other Native American nations are doing as well.
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Not to surprising, considering states have little to no control on Indian reservations. So NPR comment about conservative state is irrelevant. Other than to try to spin the story a certain way. They chose to wear the masks without a mandate. The mandating is about control and loss of freedom. If anything the are exercising the freedom to mask. Their choice, not the government. Which considering how much the government has done to the american indian.
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