News Summary
Akron Garfield High School has canceled its upcoming football game against Revere Local Schools due to concerns over hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). The decision follows two players from Revere being diagnosed with the illness in the last two weeks. Akron officials prioritize the health and safety of their students amid this contagious outbreak, opting not to reschedule the match. While the cancellation has been met with support from some, others have criticized it as an overreaction, suggesting similar measures should be extended to other prevalent illnesses.
Akron – Akron Garfield High School has officially canceled its scheduled football game against Revere Local Schools due to concerns over the potential spread of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). The cancellation, announced by Revere Local Schools, comes after two players on the Revere team were diagnosed with the contagious illness in the past two weeks.
Although Revere had a healthy roster prepared for the game, the Akron Public School District opted for a proactive approach to safeguard the health of students and staff. With over 19,000 enrolled students and thousands of staff members within the district, officials highlighted the risks of a rapid disease outbreak. This decision aligns with the goal of prioritizing student well-being, which is deemed non-negotiable by educational leaders in the district.
Garfield football coach Kemp Boyd expressed that his team was ready to take the field before receiving notification of the health concerns from Revere. He noted that the cancellation was made in the best interests of the students and that he appreciated Revere’s transparent communication regarding the situation.
The canceled game will not be rescheduled, and Akron Public Schools is seeking a no-contest ruling from the Ohio High School Athletic Association regarding this match-up. This ruling will ensure that the cancellation is formally recognized at the league level.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is highly contagious and most commonly affects children under the age of five. Symptoms typically include fever, sore throat, painful mouth sores, and rashes on the hands and feet. The illness tends to resolve on its own within seven to ten days, but its contagious nature raises concerns, particularly in crowded settings like schools.
While the decision to cancel the football game has been supported by some, it has drawn criticism from others. A pediatrician, among other parents, has expressed that the cancellation may be an overreaction, suggesting that similar precautions should be taken for other prevalent illnesses, such as influenza and COVID-19.
The cancellation follows a similar incident involving Norton High School, which also canceled a football game recently due to HFMD concerns. These consecutive decisions underscore an increasing awareness and cautious approach to health-related issues in local schools.
As schools continue to navigate the challenges posed by contagious illnesses, Akron Garfield’s choice to prioritize student health reflects a growing trend towards preventive measures in educational environments. This situation illustrates the complexities of managing public health in schools, particularly in light of recent health crises.
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HERE Resources
Revere vs Akron Garfield Football Game Canceled
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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