Special Olympics Missouri is taking the threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus) seriously. Our number one priority is keeping our athletes and constituents safe.As an organization that serves a broad array of individuals, including some who may have medical issues that increase their potential susceptibility, we feel especially compelled to follow the recommended practice of social distancing to keep our athletes and supporters safe.
For this reason, Special Olympics Missouri is suspending all sport trainings (including practices), competitions, and other program-related activities involving our athletes through March 31, 2020. We will re-evaluate the situation at the end of the month.
If you have program-related questions, please contact Trish Lutz (Lutz@somo.org).
This decision was made carefully after consulting with Special Olympics officials and state and county health officials after they spoke with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization.
It will require ALL of us taking every precautionary measure to ensure that everyone stays as healthy as possible. Please join us in taking this seriously for the safety of all of our athletes and the safety of our community at large.
SOI has prepared a list of frequently asked questions that you can reference on the topic of virus prevention and control. The CDC also has a lot of great information that is updated regularly (including how to avoid contraction of the virus if you are in the group of higher-risk individuals).
Here are some tips to help make sure we all stay healthy:
- If you’re feeling even slightly under the weather or you’re running a fever, please stay home. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, family member or volunteer, please don’t put everyone else at risk because you don’t want to miss something. We know missing out isn’t any fun, but taking the chance that someone could get sick because of your actions isn’t fun either.
- Wash your hands after using the restroom and before eating — do so for AT LEAST 20 seconds.
- Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open bathroom doors, not your freshly-washed hands
- Avoid touching your face
- Sneeze or cough into your arm, not your hands
- Avoid shaking hands and high-fives
- Avoid drinking from the same cup or bottle as someone else
- Set up a home training regimen with your local athletes to make sure everyone still stays in shape
– Keep an eye on our social media accounts over the next week as we work with our athlete-leaders to develop a training plan for our athletes to stay fit in this time without practices
- For updates on the virus, visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website daily
For all future updates on the virus and how it affects Missouri, please visit www.SOMO.org.
About Special Olympics Missouri
Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. More than 16,400 athletes participate in 16 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their fellow athletes, their family and friends, and communities across Missouri.
