Yes, masks are required.
Immediate household members will have to cover both their nose and mouth holes — ears are free game, though — at sporting events this winter.
And, no, its not worth arguing anymore. It's just the way it is inside our schools, and we should be thankful the kids get to play at all because that is not the case everywhere amid COVID-19.
OK, I'm done preaching this tired, old point. If masks are your hang-up, it's probably best to just stay home from high school hoops and wrestling.
Now, here's the rest of the winter sports attendance guidelines I've had come across my desk from Arlington, Blair and Fort Calhoun.
Blair
Blair Community Schools home contests may be attended by immediate household family members of participants only, according to a recent email from activities director Dan Hutsell.
Just four members of each household may be present for basketball games and wrestling duals due to 25% capacity measures laid out through Nebraska Gov. Pete Rickett's latest directed health measures. Only two household members, however, will be allowed to attend wrestling triangulars and tournaments.
Blair fans attending home contests, specifically, are asked to enter the high school on the south side through the doors just west of the auxiliary gym. It is recommended that they park in the teacher parking lot off of Iowa Street.
Temperatures will be taken at the door and family members who aren't feeling well shouldn't attend.
No pep bands or non-household students will be permitted to attend games, and concessions won't be sold.
Any updates to to these protocols will be communicated through school social media and coaching staffs.
Fort Calhoun
Fort Calhoun winter sports attendance in the competition (new) gym will be limited to household members of participants only.
The household members will need to be on a pre-approved pass list to enter extracurricular activities, which includes all school- and and club-sponsored events. This applies to home and visiting fans.
The auxiliary (old) gym, meanwhile, may only accommodate 50 spectators. The smaller area will be for parents only.
For FCHS basketball games, parents are to only attend contests that their son or daughter are participating in. No spectators will be allowed to stay for additional games.
For wrestling duals and triangulars, fan attendance is limited to household members of participants. Tournaments and quadrangulars, however, will be for parents and/or guardians only.
Masks are required at all times within FCHS and concessions will not be provided.
Arlington
Like elsewhere in Nebraska, spectators will be allowed up to 25% capacity at Arlington High School, but will be limited up to four household family members only. Attendees — who must be on the teams' pass list — must wear face coverings at all times.
Household members may stay the full night of activities, according to activities director James Shada, though families are expected to keep 6-foot spacing between them and other family units. Concessions — in a consistently cleaned stand — will be available.
Spectators are asked to leave promptly after the conclusion of school activities.
Those not allowed to attend may follow Arlington sports through the school's online Striv channel (striv.tv/arlington), which is expected to broadcast all home games. Junior high and freshman games will be broadcast online on the Arlo Striv Youtube page.
