ProRodeo Sports News - May 29, 2020

RODEO & HEALTH

Justin Sportsmedicine set to keep COVID-19 at bay Rodeo Remedies Fernando Sam-Sin photo The Justin Sportsmedicine team is changing what they do and how they do it in order to prevent COVID-19 contaminations at rodeos.

BY MATT NABER T he Justin Sportsmedicine trailer has seen nearly every medical need imaginable. But unlike the usual broken bones, open wounds, sprains and strains, this year’s biggest concern is too small to see. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a screeching stop, and ProRodeo was no exception with two months of competitions on hold or canceled. The threat of the virus still looms, but the Justin Sportsmedicine team has plans in place to get the wheels turning while protecting ProRodeo athletes and personnel from the coronavirus. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing for everyone,” said Rick Foster, ProgramDirector for the Justin Sportsmedicine Team. “It’s a virus, and it’s running its course like any other virus does with spikes and concentration areas. What’s tough is it’s highly contagious and a

third of the people don’t even show symptoms.”

WHAT’S NEXT Cave Creek (Ariz.) Rodeo Days marked the first ProRodeo event for Justin Sportsmedicine since Rodeo Grand Island (Neb.) in mid-March. “The biggest thing for all of us is following the CDC and government guidelines,” Foster said. “Some stuff hasn’t changed for us, we are just being more astute on it.” All of Cave Creek’s contestants and personnel underwent a health screening before entering the grounds and wore facial masks. “It’s to make sure there’s nothing indicative of an illness,” Foster said. “And there are requirements for masks to protect other people since you don’t want to spread the droplets if you cough.” The Justin Sportsmedicine trailer isn’t the most spacious, so the team is changing to minimize crowding. “There’s always an inherent risk,” Foster said, adding that gloves and

ProRodeo Sports News 5/29/2020

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