AYSO has received several inquiries from volunteers regarding the upcoming flu season.
We encourage our volunteers and parents to use normal precautions, monitor the situation in their specific community and act in accordance with recommendations or directives issued by their local or state health departments.
In some cases, schools or community facilities may be choosing to close. They may have advisories available by phone, email or online regarding the status of the outbreak in that area. We encourage volunteers to ask their local school districts to keep them advised of any actions at the local or state level that may help them make decisions regarding their local AYSO activities.
We suggest that some practical measures local volunteers and parents can take at this time include:
discouraging the sharing of water bottles and beverage cups
choosing individually wrapped snacks rather than communal or unwrapped options
and, most importantly, that children experiencing symptoms of any illness should stay home and schedule an appointment with their primary care physician.
Coaches should also be extra vigilant at practices and games for players that seem under the weather or are showing any signs of illness (fever, runny nose, coughing, etc.) and encourage them and their parents to go home to get well.
Soccer is a contact sport, so encourage players to wash their hands after the game (and frequent hand washing is a smart practice for children and adults alike to discourage the transmission of illness.) Some leagues are also advising coaches to replace the end of game "high five" or handshake with a nod and a "good game". That decision is left to the best judgment of your coaches or the Region.
For up to date and authoritative information, treatment and prevention of this illness, please visit the following Web site:
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm