Information for Families of San Francisco Little League

Key Points:

• Follow CDC and State Dept. recommendations for areas of travel that require self-observation, self-monitoring or self-quarantine. 
• If you, your siblings, or your parents are sick with shortness of breath, sneezing, cough, or fever, don't come to practice or games
• Frequent hand-washing is key to prevent the spread of any virus. Wash your hands using soap and water or an alcohol-based cleaner for at least 20 seconds any time you may come into contact with something that has been touched or handled by the general public, using public transportation, before and after eating and using the restroom.
• Fist bumps and elbow bumps are the best ways to show support during a game. 
• Cover your cough and sneeze when out in public by using the crook of your arm or shoulder. 
• For those players in San Francisco Little League, Challenger, and Softball Divisions who have a medical condition that places them at increased risk for infection, pneumonia, upper respiratory infection, or who have a medical history of lung/pulmonary disease, please contact your child's physician for recommendations and guidance
• Utilize reliable resources. The CDC, the San Francisco Department of Public Health, or the World Health Organization are best.

Coronavirus, COVID 19, has spread from its initial outbreak in China and has spread throughout the world. Some countries, Italy and Iran for example, have had especially larger outbreaks. In the United States we are seeing COVID 19 in instances where there is no direct link between individuals who had been diagnosed with COVID 19 or who had traveled to China where the outbreak originated. 

The body of knowledge on COVID 19 is incomplete. People exposed to COVID 19 may be able to spread the virus anytime between 2 and 14 days after exposure.

While a state of emergency has been declared in San Francisco, this was a proactive measure by the City and County of San Francisco to access money and resources in preparation of the ever-changing nature of this virus. The Department of Public Health and the San Francisco Unified School District have not shut down the schools or issued restrictions or bans on public gatherings.

If the State of California, the San Francisco Department of Public Health, the CDC, or the San Francisco Unified School District issues an order to shut down schools or ban public gatherings (sports events, concerts, fairs, etc.) San Francisco Little League will cancel the season. San Francisco Little League will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves and will take action if required in the best interest of the health and safety of our players and their families.

What do I need to do to be safe:

If you have traveled or plan to travel to an area in spite of CDC recommendations that have been identified to have Level 2 or Level 3 Travel Health recommendations, if you have not been screened/identified as requiring isolation/self-quarantine upon arrival back in the United States, please follow the CDC recommendations for self-observation, self-monitoring and if required self-quarantine. If you are sick after arriving home contact the San Francisco Department of Public Health and your physician as soon as possible. Call before going to your physician’s office or the hospital. Make sure you advise them of your travel itinerary.

If you are sick with shortness of breath, sneezing, cough, or fever, don't come to practice or games

If your siblings or parents are sick with shortness of breath, sneezing, cough, or fever, don't come to practice or games

Frequent hand-washing is key to prevent the spread of any virus. As soon as you arrive home or your office at work, after touching door knobs or door handles, elevator buttons, hand rails, etc., any time you may come into contact with something that has been touched or handled by the general public, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or an alcohol-based cleaner.

Wash your hands using soap and water or an alcohol-based cleaner for at least 20 seconds before and after using the restroom; before and after any snacks or food during games; before and after using public transportation

Fist bumps and elbow bumps are the best ways to show support. Hugs/high fives/chest bumps between players should be avoided

Cover your cough and sneeze when out in public by using the crook of your arm or shoulder. Avoid using your hand to cover your sneeze so you do not contaminate anything you touch

For those players in San Francisco Little League, Challenger, and Softball Divisions who have a medical condition that places them at increased risk for infection, pneumonia, upper respiratory infection, or who have a medical history of lung/pulmonary disease, please contact your child's physician for recommendations and guidance

Utilize reliable resources. This is a new disease and the body of knowledge is evolving. There is a huge degree of misinformation, please refrain from utilizing social media unless the source is the CDC, the San Francisco Department of Public Health, or the World Health Organization.

Your best sources for information are:

San Francisco Department of Public Health - https://www.sfcdcp.org/infectious-diseases-a-to-z/coronavirus-2019-novel-coronavirus/

The Centers for Disease Control – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

The World Health Organization (WHO) - https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen

If you are traveling please find out about the travel advisory for your country of travel from the US State Department at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

Summary

We encourage all families who choose to travel during the season to follow the State Department and Centers for Disease Control recommendations on self-observation, self-monitoring and if required self-quarantine. Don’t come to games or practice if you are sick with shortness of breath, cough, sneezing, or fever. Hand washing is key to preventing infection. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after using the restroom, eating, or using public transportation, essentially anytime you may touch something that the general public has come into contact with.

If you have additional concerns you can reach Dan Gerard, MS, RN, NRP who is the San Francisco Little Leagues Safety Officer. His contact information is 415-317-0615 or via email at daniel.gerard@post.harvard.edu