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Big Ten leads the way for responsible athletics

The Big Ten Conference became the first major college athletic conference to say no to fall sports, including football season. “The mental and physical health and welfare of our student-athletes has been at the center of every decision we have made regarding the ability to proceed forward,” Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren said in a statement. “As time progressed … it became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall.” This is, of course, a major blow to college athletic ...

Need to learn more about COVID-19 to protect kids

Virtually every passing day demonstrates to us that we don’t know enough about COVID-19 to combat the virus effectively. Research on it — and on identifying other emerging disease threats — needs to be a higher priority. At the very top of the action list should be how the coronavirus affects racial minorities. We know in our country that Blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans have been more vulnerable than whites to the disease. A report released Friday adds urgency to finding answers about that. It came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which investigated ...

COVID-19 vaccine decisions required

Rationing of medical treatment is viewed by many Americans as unacceptable. Making health care decisions based on anything but need is seen as immoral. That is as it should be. But as researchers race to develop vaccines against COVID-19, the specter of rationing is being raised by some. Among the most intelligent strategies adopted by the federal government to battle the coronavirus is that involving vaccines. Developing them safely, yet quickly is a very expensive proposition. Private-sector researchers whose work shows promise are receiving subsidies to speed development of ...

COVID-19 kudos: Walz gives districts control to plan new school year

Lacking a magic wand that would cure COVID-19 or at least ease Minnesotans’ frustrations stemming from it, Gov. Tim Walz is nevertheless putting forth a reasonable plan to get the 2020-2021 school year started. Its three biggest selling points: • First, each district makes it own plan. • Second, those plans are to be built on data. • And third, the plan stresses flexibility. The safety of students and staff, along with providing an equitable education and allowing individual choice, underpin each of those selling points. That said, the plan will undoubtedly raise ...

Farmfest forums continue virtually

Like most other major gatherings this summer, Farmfest was canceled. Instead of thousands of farmers and others interested in agriculture traipsing around the Gillfillan Estate near Morton to look at the latest farming technology and products, and viewing test plots, everyone is staying home. One of the most vital features of Farmfest is carrying on, however. The political forums and debates that have become “must see” for those interested in farm issues, and “must participate” for those seeking the farm vote are still taking place on the Internet. Zoom was used to bring the ...

Where’s the sense in Sturgis rally?

Across the country in this Year of COVID-19, events large and small have been canceled, from the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament to the New Ulm St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Even the Great Minnesota Get Together has told Minnesotans to stay away. Concern about spreading the COVID-19 virus led to calling off these events. The economic cost is great, but the danger the events pose to public health was deemed even greater. Even with these cancellations and cautions, the number of cases seems to be spiking this summer, bringing calls for mask wearing and social distancing. So, what ...