Renowned Bioethicist Co-Chairs Effort to Help Cities Safely Reopen Sports and Recreation Amidst Pandemic

Arthur L. Caplan, PhD, the Drs. William F and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor of Bioethics at NYU Langone Health and the founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics in the Department of Population Health, is co-chairing a newly-created United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) Advisory Panel on Sports, Recreation, and Health. It will guide more than 1,400 mayors across the country to safely reopen recreational facilities and administer sports programs after closures due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The interdisciplinary panel is a collaboration between the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU Langone Health, the NYU School of Professional Studies Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport, and the United States Conference of Mayors, bringing together some of the country’s leading sports and public health experts.

“While we know sports stadiums and arenas will not be packed anytime soon, there are methodical steps that communities and sports teams can take now to prepare for a new normal that will bring back some of the energy, healing power, and economic stimulus that sports and recreation can offer cities across the nation left reeling by the coronavirus pandemic,” says Caplan. “Our recommendations will bring the best in scientific findings so that communities can develop safe and practical solutions for their residents.”

Lee H. Igel, PhD, clinical associate professor at the Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport at the NYU School of Professional Studies, is another of four advisory panel co-chairs, and has a longstanding collaborative relationship with Caplan. Together, they have written dozens of articles addressing ethical issues in sports and recreation. 

“Sports are about so much more than team spirit and local pride,” says Igel. “They are key engines to local economies, and many sports-related businesses are in danger of failing due to the economic fallout of the virus. While our recommendations for reopening will place the safety and security of players, fans and community residents above all, we must also find ways to stimulate as many of these businesses as we can.”

In the months ahead, the panel will add members as new issues arise. It also plans to conduct research, surveys, and reports using the resources of all member organizations.

“Mayors are on the front lines battling this pandemic and need this kind of advice to help them safely reopen their communities, especially for families and children,” said Rochester Hills (MI) Mayor and U.S. Conference of Mayors President Bryan K. Barnett. “I’m happy this panel will be available to all mayors as we bring the best experts together to assist them in their planning now and in the future.”

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