I am signing the following petition in support of and on behalf of the spectators of the Wake County Parents Advocating to be Event Spectators: Athletic/Performing Arts.

We the undersigned, are hereby requesting to reverse the policy that WCPSS  announced via email on Nov. 5, 2020 - (*) Athletics Updates and Reminders About Health and Safety Protocols. Which states: Spectators, to protect the health and safety of our students, parents and employees, spectators will not be permitted at athletic practices or competitions for an indefinite period of time. As an alternative, athletic directors will be sharing information about a live-streaming service that will be in place for competitions held in gyms or in outdoor stadiums. Additionally we are investigating options to stream events held at other locations. We understand that parents want to see their student-athletes compete. However, our top priority will always be the health and safety of our community. Reducing the potential for COVID-19 cases related to athletics increases the chances that we will be able to continue athletic activities this school year so that our students can participate.” 

We, the spectators want to be able to watch our children perform as per the Governor Cooper’s Executive Order #169 (October 1, 2020) Therefore, we spectators, through the attached petition, are asking to allow less than 250 individuals or 4 tickets per player/performer, applying appropriate social distancing rules and masks, cannot occupy a stadium or performing arts center. In essence, we the spectators are requesting an explanation as to why occupying less than 1% of an outdoor stadium is not feasible following social distancing guidelines already established by the governor’s office.

 We spectators are also asking why if the NCHSAA handbook updated 10/30/2020 made the following recommendations, why we as Wake County Families can not follow these same recommendations.

As stated in the NCHSAA handbook,(**) Spectators ,These requirements are in place with Governor Cooper’s Executive Order #169 (October 1, 2020). 

• The number of spectators allowed in any athletic facility is dictated by Executive Orders of the Governor and guidelines issued by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services 

Outdoor parks, fields or courts 

• Limit the number of spectators to the lesser of (i) 100 individuals per park, field, or court, or (ii) 30% of the facility’s stated fire capacity (or 7 individuals per 1000 square feet if there is no stated fire capacity)
• If an outdoor sports complex has multiple parks, fields, or courts, limit the number of spectators so that each park, field or court has no more than the maximum number of spectators produced by the calculation immediately above 
• Ensure that spectators remain seated
• Players, coaches, workers, entertainers and support staff do not count toward the capacity limits 

In indoor courts or rooms 

• Limit the number of spectators to 25 per facility
• Ensure that spectators remain seated
• Players, coaches, workers, entertainers and support staff do not count toward the capacity limits
• Indoor and outdoor pools
  50% capacity
  Players, coaches, workers, entertainers and support staff do count toward the capacity limits

*WCPSS email announcement:

**NCHSAA handbook: