Monthly Archives: August 2023

Paolo Banchero of Team USA shoots a 3 during the FIBA World Cup Group C game against New Zealand at Mall of Asia Arena on Aug. 26, 2023, in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

MANILA, Philippines The New Zealand national team huddled at the opposite foul line from Team USA, then broke into a fiery rendition of the Kiwis notable haka dance. It proved more than a series of elbow thrusts and ceremonial stomps. New Zealand punched the mighty Americans square in their collective jaws to open Team USAs first game of the 2023 FIBA World Cup on Saturday, commanding an early 14-4 lead over the presumptive tournament favorites.

They came out right away and were very physical and took it to us, said Team USA head coach Steve Kerr. We need to feel that, because thats what these games are going to be like.

Team USA coughed up three turnovers in the opening two minutes. Starting point guard Jalen Brunson stutter-stepped into the lane, only to leave several floaters bouncing on the front iron. Anthony Edwards found his pocket stripped clean on several occasions. I gotta come out a lot better, for sure, Edwards said. They was picking up full court all game.

But the American reserves, particularly the zippy playmaking from Austin Reaves and Tyrese Haliburton, managed to reclaim the lead by the end of the opening quarter, took a nine-point advantage into intermission and blew the contest open in the third frame, thanks to a flurry of triples from backup big man Paolo Banchero eventually capping a runaway 99-72 victory at Mall of Asia Arena.

I love the way we responded, Kerr said. We feel like over 40 minutes, we can wear teams down. Its hard to play that way, as physical as New Zealand was. Its hard to sustain that for 40 minutes.

The Kiwis scouted the Americans switching defensive scheme and barreled their way into the paint on possession after possession, targeting Brunson and even Team USAs skinnier, lanky wings in Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram. For the last two, three weeks, weve really been training those coverages, said Reuben Te Rangi, New Zealands 6-foot-6 swingman, who finished with 15 points. We knew the reads and what we wanted to get out of it.

Eventually, Team USA managed a consistent resistance around the rim. They were just a physical group of guys. They were really physical, Haliburton said. I just thought we did a good job when they were getting into the paint, just being high hands. [At first], we fouled too much.

The American reserves had specialized in clamping down on opposing attacks and turning stops into offense throughout their five-game exhibition slate prior to the World Cup.

That starts on the defensive end, Reaves said. So the intensitys gotta be super high on that. And once we have that, it kind of makes the game easy, because were able to play in transition.

Strength and size, though, are some of the bigger question marks for Kerrs roster, which is a collaboration between the head coach and Team USA managing director Grant Hill. If there is an Achilles heel that more formidable opponents can threaten the Americans, look no further.

The only true center among these 12 players is Rookie of the Year finalist and Utah Jazz 7-footer Walker Kessler, who is only expected to play limited minutes throughout this run in the Philippines. Jaren Jackson Jr., Team USAs starting center, primarily plays power forward for the Memphis Grizzlies, and his eagerness to swat shots around the rim has left the reigning Defensive Player of the Year susceptible to foul trouble throughout his young NBA career, despite his obvious success protecting the rim.

Sure enough, Jackson found himself in and out of the lineup against New Zealand, thanks to whistle after whistle against the soaring shot blocker. Kerr was forced to repeatedly call on Banchero, the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, and the face of the Orlando Magic franchise responded and then some. Kerr informed Banchero early in training camp he envisioned the Duke product, typically a perimeter ball-handler, as the Americans reserve center. Its fair to say Banchero has taken that mantle and ran with it.

Being in the World Cup, my role is my role. I kind of have accepted it, Banchero said. I just want to do it to the best of my ability. J.J., hes a great player. I gotta be able to pick up where he left off when he comes out the game.

Banchero was a force in the paint, rejecting four New Zealand shots throughout the contest, several of which sparked those runaway opportunities that Haliburton and Reaves were so eagerly hunting. And in the decisive third quarter stretch, Banchero came alive with the ball in his hands.

He checked into the game less than two minutes into the second half as Jackson was called for his third personal, then cashed a baseline jumper two possessions later. He drew a foul on a feed from Reaves and converted both attempts. Next, Banchero pulled up for a midrange jumper. His back-to-back 3-pointers at the end of the frame, the second a smooth step-back on the left wing, helped Team USA open an 18-point edge before the final quarter. They were the first two triples Banchero has made during live-game action with the Americans this summer after he and the rest of this roster finally took the floor in Manila on Saturday after arriving in the Philippines on Tuesday.

I was just waiting for this World Cup to start, man, said Banchero, who led Team USA with 21 points. When the lights is on, Im ready to go. Im ready. Im here.

The Americans step back into the shining spectacle at Mall of Asia Arena on Monday, with an 8:40 a.m. ET tip against Greece.

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Center Paolo Banchero helps Team USA power past physical New Zealand in FIBA World Cup - Yahoo Sports

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. Tua Tagovailoa began to let his guard down last season, when Mike McDaniel took over as Miami Dolphins head coach.

But this year?

I can say this year that Tua has definitely come out of his shell, seven-time Pro Bowl receiver Tyreek Hill told Yahoo Sports on Thursday after practice. After his comments yesterday to Ryan Clark? I don't think we've ever seen that side right there. I don't think weve ever seen that.

And that's the side I love right there. That fires me up right there.

Hill was referencing his quarterbacks request that ESPN's Ryan Clark keep my name out your mouth, Tagovailoas rebuke ultimately prompting the analyst to apologize Thursday morning.

Clark, a 13-year former NFL defensive back, apologized in writing and in a recorded message.

When I decided to do TV I had 2 main priorities, Clark wrote in a tweet. 1. Respect all NFL players, coaches, executives and staff members. 2. Earn and keep the respect of those very same people.

I do my best to be honest when executing my job as well as being honest when I fall short. I fell short on Monday and for that, I genuinely apologize.

Clark said in a Monday segment on ESPNs NFL Live studio show that Tagovailoa this offseason wasnt in the gym, I bet you that and was not at the dinner table eating what the nutritionist had advised. He compared Tagovailoa, who bulked up 10 pounds this offseason in hopes of protecting himself from injuries that have plagued his career, to a stripper.

I come from a Samoan family where respect is everything, Tagovailoa said Wednesday. But it does get to a point where hey, little easy on that, buddy. Because I think were pretty tough-minded people, and if we need to get scrappy, we can get scrappy, too.

Id appreciate if you kept my name out your mouth.

Hill said the comments werent just unkind they were also untrue. The receiver praised the work ethic he witnessed up close in about four joint training sessions at Tagovailoas gym this offseason.

The guy would actually put in work, said Hill, who caught 70% of targets last season for a team-best 1,710 receiving yards. He was outworking me. And Im like one of them dudes who will stay in the gym all day.

In his recorded video, Clark said that he intended his comments jokingly rather than in question of Tagovailoas work ethic and commitment. He reiterated his desire to operate with respect.

Anything contrary to that, then Ive got to check myself.

Clark said initially his response to Tagovailoas comments about getting scrappy was or what?

Man, I fed my family on violence, Clark continued. I aint tripping on that. But thats the pride that doesn't enable me to see what this dudes going through. The constant criticisms, constant scrutiny, constantly being questioned, feeling the stress of always having to prove yourself. ...

It was, what I can consider now, a bad joke. But for me, its been a lesson. Ill be better.

McDaniel, speaking in a Thursday news conference before the teams final practice of training camp, didnt directly acknowledge Clark or Tagovailoas comments. But he gave a lengthy response detailing Tagovailoas top-five offseason among Dolphins players. McDaniel emphasized that he (unlike somebody else, it seemed) could speak hard facts that Ive seen with my own eyes.

You want to talk about someone whos committed to doing what hes doing for the right reasons? McDaniel said. You want to talk about every metric that [head strength and conditioning coach] Dave Puloka and his strength staff tracks, which is pretty much everything to the degree of blinks? Every metric of strength that is measured, [Tagovailoa has] shattered his previous highs. In some instances, hes almost twice as strong with things. And thats been a daily commitment that he hasnt wavered from.

McDaniel praised how his quarterback has taken his nutrition to another level and really thought outside the box on how to prepare his body. Tagovailoa said Wednesday hed prefer to be lighter, but understands why this weight along with offseason falling practice in jiu-jitsu can help protect him following the career-threatening concussions he suffered last season.

I couldnt be happier with the work hes put in and what Ive factually viewed from my own eyes, McDaniel said. Basically youre happy for guys as a coach when you can see in the present that down the road theyre going to have no regrets. You know that, without any shade of gray, youve put your best foot forward. And he really has.

His teammates would agree: We are getting the absolute best version of Tua thats existed.

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Tyreek Hill says Tua's response to ESPN criticism 'fires me up,' shows Dolphins something they've never seen - Yahoo Sports

After two-plus hours of competition Wednesday, there was still no women's pole vault winner at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

So American Katie Moon and Australian Nina Kennedy agreed to share gold. It's the first time in the history of the World Athletics Championships that two gold medals were awarded in the same event. There was no silver medalist in the competition.

After bronze medalist Wilma Murto topped out at 4.8 meters, the competition came down to Moon and Kennedy. As Moon watched, Kennedy set the high mark and an Australian record with a jump of 4.9 meters.

The mark matched Moon's gold-medal-winning performance at the Tokyo Olympics.

Then Moon had a chance to match Kennedy, and she succeeded with a vault that left the bar wobbling but intact.

She stood up beaming from her vault as the competition carried on. Next up for both competitors 4.95 meters a personal best for Moon, which she set at the 2021 U.S. Olympic trials.

But she didn't match it Wednesday. Neither did Kennedy. Both athletes tried and missed at 4.95 meters on three separate jumps. At that point, the pair had a choice: go to a jump-off or agree to share gold.

With cameras focused on them, they met for a conversation at the end of the track to figure out how to proceed. There, they smiled, shared a hug and came away from the meeting each with a share of the world championship.

"To win a gold medal, it is just a dream come true," Kennedy said after the competition, per Reuters. "I knew I could get on the podium, but it was a miracle to get the gold. So I think a miracle happened tonight."

Moon told reporters that she was satisfied with the outcome after a stirring competition with her rival.

"What a battle it was," she said. "When it became obvious that only Nina and I were still jumping, the show had just started. I think we both motivated each other. When she had a good attempt, I also wanted to have it.

"It was tiring but worth the effort. What an amazing night. I hope everyone enjoyed that one. We did."

While the shared gold is a first for the World Athletics Championships, it's not unprecedented. Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi agreed to shared gold in the high-jump competition at the Tokyo Olympics. Like Kennedy and Moon, they decided against a jump-off after remaining tied at the top of their competition.

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USA's Katie Moon, Australia's Nina Kennedy agree to share pole vault gold after tie atop World Athletics Championships - Yahoo Sports

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette and third baseman Matt Chapman both left Sunday's extra-innings loss to the Cleveland Guardians with injuries.

Bichette exited with right quad tightness in the top of the sixth inning after jogging gingerly to first base on a groundout the inning prior. Santiago Espinal replaced Bichette at shortstop and in the No. 1 spot in the batting order.

Bichette returned from the injured list on Aug. 19 after suffering a knee injury on July 31. Manager John Schneider told reporters after the game that it's unrelated to the previous ailment and that Bichette was lifted for precautionary reasons. Schneider added that Bichette has been "feeling it" in his quad and playing through it.

Losing Bichette for any period of time would be a devastating blow to a Blue Jays team fighting for its playoff life. Bichette has been the club's best offensive player in 2023, hitting .316 with 18 home runs. His 152 hits lead the American League.

Chapman departed with right middle finger inflammation, an issue that sidelined him for several days earlier this month. The 30-year-old is headed for an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, per Schneider.

With trade deadline acquisition Paul DeJong surprisingly designated for assignment last weekend, Espinal figures to shoulder shortstop or third base duties if Bichette or Chapman are only out for a couple days. Toronto has a number of minor-leaguers who could earn a promotion if either infielder's injury requires an IL stint.

Ernie Clement appeared in 13 games with the Blue Jays earlier in 2023 and has put together a strong season at Triple-A Buffalo, hitting .346 with a .944 OPS in 68 contests.

The Blue Jays could also give the nod to one of Addison Barger or Orelvis Martinez, who are more highly touted prospects. Barger, 23, would give Toronto another powerful left-handed bat. His numbers with Buffalo have been strong over the past 28 days, slashing .319/.434/.507 during that span.

Martinez has only spent 31 games at Triple-A, so the Blue Jays may prefer to be more patient with their prized 21-year-old.

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Blue Jays' Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman leave game vs. Guardians with injuries - Yahoo Sports

Things got heated late on Sunday afternoon in St. Petersburg.

Yet the Tampa Bay Rays, despite the benches clearing twice in their 7-4 win over the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field, arent taking it too personally.

We dont need to worry about it. We need to focus on what we need to do down the stretch.

The benches and bullpens cleared twice in the eighth inning, though no punches were thrown and things remained relatively calm, considering the circumstances. The incident erupted after Tampa outfielder Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch from Albert Abreu. Several players had to be held back, though coaches and officials eventually cleared the field and play resumed.

Then, after Arozarena stole second and third, he started yelling at Abreu on the mound. That sparked the second clearing.

Arozarena was one of four Rays players to be hit by a pitch Sunday. Arozarena was hit twice by the Yankees in their May matchup, including once by Abreu.

"I think it was on purpose," Arozarena said through an interpruter, via The Associated Press. "If you look back at [the] previous series, he's hit me before. I've been hit in previous series before that. They hurt Yandy [Daz] the other day, they hit [Isaac] Paredes in the head, so I think it probably was an issue for them."

Abreu denied that he hit Arozarena on purpose.

The game was the latest example of the Yankees struggling season. The loss dropped the Yankees to 62-68 on the season, their lowest point under .500 this year. The team hasnt finished with a losing record in 30 seasons, and hasnt missed the playoffs since 2016. The Yankees havent won a series in their past nine outings. They sit in last in the AL East, and are 11 games out of the final wild-card spot in the American League.

The Rays are two games back from the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles and are six games up in the AL wild-card race. Lowe hit a home run in the first inning, which followed an Arozarena run. Harold Ramrez hit a two-run single in the sixth, and Lowe followed suit with a two-run single of his own, which put the Rays up 6-4 at the time. Lowe then hit an RBI double in the eighth to score Arozarena, which got Tampa to the three-run win.

The Rays will play two games against the Miami Marlins before heading to Cleveland for a three-game series against the Guardians on Friday. Though tempers flared, the Yankees and Rays will almost certainly have to wait until next season to resolve their issues.

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Benches clear twice as Rays roll past Yankees 7-4: 'It's a last-place team' - Yahoo Sports

An extended holdout through the first half of the season could cost Chris Jones roughly $10 million in fines. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Chris Jones has upped the stakes on his holdout with Week 1 of the NFL season on the horizon.

On Tuesday, a fan on social media asked the All-Pro defensive tackle when he planned to return to the Kansas City Chiefs. He responded succinctly: "Week 8."

That means Jones is willing to miss almost half the season in search of a new deal. Or at least, so he says.

If the holdout reaches that point, Jones is putting a lot of agreed-upon money at risk. He has already racked up a hefty fine, with his holdout costing him $50,000 for each day of training camp missed. Once the holdout reaches the regular season, the stakes significantly increase.

Per the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, players under contract who extend their holdouts to the regular season are fined a game check for each game missed. Jones is entering the final year of a four-year, $80 million deal and is due $20 million in 2023. That adds up to roughly $1.18 million per game. Extended over seven games, Jones would be risking roughly $8.2 million in fines in addition to his training camp and preseason tally, which will add up to more than $1.4 million.

He says he's not worried about it.

Jones, 29, is seeking a raise after outplaying the terms of his current deal. He has made the Pro Bowl each of the past four seasons and was first-team All-Pro in 2022 on a Chiefs team that won the Super Bowl. He tallied a career-high 15.5 sacks last season, in addition to 44 tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and four passes defended.

Per The Athletic's Nate Taylor, Jones seeks to be rewarded as the league's second-highest paid player at his position, behind three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. Donald is playing on a three-year, $95 million deal worth $31.67 million annually. The Athletic reports that Jones is seeking $30 million per year, but the two sides remain on different pages.

The Chiefs open their Super Bowl defense against the Detroit Lions in Week 1. Through Week 7, they'll face the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams. Two of those games are against teams (Jaguars, Jets) reasonably intent on challenging the Chiefs for AFC supremacy.

The sooner this gets settled, the better for all involved parties.

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All-Pro Chris Jones says hes willing to extend Chiefs holdout through Week 8 - Yahoo Sports

Fyre meme sensation Andy King is reuniting with fraudster Billy McFarland for Fyre Festival II. The event planner who became internet famous when he talked about his, um, dedication for trying to make the disastrous event actually happen confirmed to Yahoo Entertainment he's back for the new iteration.

"I look forward to working with Billy and our partners to share FYRE with the world," he said over email on Tuesday. "I'm so grateful to have support to help us execute the ultimate redemption."

King wouldn't elaborate on their partners (or their plan for ultimate redemption), but added a formal announcement will be coming soon.

Over the weekend, McFarland revealed that Fyre Festival II will take place sometime next year in the Caribbean. There are no dates, except that it's "targeted for the end of 2024," lineup or location listed other than the "Caribbean Sea." There's already a disclaimer on the official website that "FFII date is subject to change." Even with Fyre's disastrous history, the first drop sold out, per the website.

McFarland shared Tuesday on Instagram that "all ticket sales will be held in escrow until the final date" for the festival is confirmed.

The first 100 tickets were the cheapest people could buy, starting at $499 and going up to $7,999. One hundred people clearly put their trust in McFarland, who was released from prison last year as he was convicted of fraud for throwing the ill-fated 2017 event that left concertgoers stranded in the Bahamas. He served almost four years of a six year sentence.

In a YouTube video posted with the announcement, McFarland credited solitary confinement with helping him come up with FFII.

"It has been the absolute wildest journey to get here, and it really all started during a seventh-month stint in solitary confinement. I wrote out this 50-page plan of how it would take this overall interest and demand in Fyre and how it would take my ability to bring people from around the world together to make the impossible happen," he shared, thanking the "best partners in the world."

It's unclear if Ja Rule is among those partners, but it doesn't sound like it. The rapper was an original co-founder, but was dismissed from $100 million class-action lawsuit filed by Fyre Festival attendees. In April, he told People he wouldn't be involved should the event be revived.

"I don't know nothing about it!" he exclaimed. "I don't know nothing about it. I ain't in it!"

A rep for the musician didn't respond to Yahoo's request for comment.

The first iteration of Fyre Festival was branded as the ultimate luxury music concert. Blink-182 and Migos were among the alleged performers and the "exclusive" event was promoted by influencers and models, including Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber. Any guests who were able to arrive at the private island were met with practically no food, shelter or music. Many travelers became stranded after spending thousands of dollars.

Fyre Festival was the subject of dueling Netflix and Hulu documentaries. King became a social media star following Netflix's Fyre, in which he revealed just how far he'd go to secure water for festivalgoers. King, who is openly gay, claimed McFarland asked him to give oral sex to a customs official and he was "fully prepared" to do so.

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Fyre Festival II: Andy King confirms he's working with Billy McFarland for 'redemption'; 1st drop sells out - Yahoo Entertainment

Paul Skenes isn't MLB-ready. Yet. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

Heading into the 2023 MLB Draft, the dominant narrative around LSU right-hander Paul Skenes was that he was the most pro-ready prospect in years, an already MLB-level pitcher playing in college.

It's rarely that simple.

Skenes, the first overall pick of the 2023 Draft, made his debut at Double-A with the Pittsburgh Pirates-affiliated Altoona Curve. His final line: four earned runs, three hits, two walks, two strikeouts in 2/3 of an inning of work. He didn't make it out of the first inning.

Per MiLB.com's Gameday feature, all three of the hits Skenes allowed came on pitches in the middle-middle section of the strike zone, including this RBI single by Aaron Bracho:

That's not quite the start the Pirates envisioned when they pushed him to Double-A after he threw four scoreless innings in three appearances between the Single-A Bradenton Marauders and the Pirates' FCL affiliate.

He at least got some strikeouts in:

It should be clearly stated here: one bad inning does not mean Skenes is anywhere close to a bust. Pirates fans should not be panicking. Skenes is still one of the best prospects in baseball. Saturday just goes to show that the distance between college ball and MLB is still very large, and very few players, if any these days, can make that jump without at least some seasoning in the minors.

The recently retired Stephen Strasburg, arguably the best pitching prospect ever and a person to whom Skenes has been compared many times, made 16 starts as a minor leaguer before his electric debut with the Washington Nationals in 2010. Gerrit Cole, another former No. 1 overall pick out of college, needed 31 starts to go from the draft to the Pirates' big league club.

Saturday was the true start of Skenes' adjustment to professional baseball. It could easily get smoother as he learns what won't work against hitters who regularly see triple-digit heat and nasty breaking balls, or he might need a little more time than expected. With stuff as outrageous as his, it will still probably be worth the wait.

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Pirates first overall pick Paul Skenes doesn't make it out of 1st inning in Double-A debut - Yahoo Sports

Jamaica may have reigned over the sprint world for a time, but the United States has taken it back.

On Saturday in Budapest, Hungary, the American men's and women's 4x100 meter relay teams won gold at the World Athletics Championships, just the third time the U.S. has swept the events at worlds and the first since 2007.

On the men's side, Noah Lyles won his third gold medal of the meet, anchoring his team to victory in 37.38 seconds. For the women, Sha'Carri Richardson ran a phenomenal anchor to fend off Jamaican rival Shericka Jackson, as the Americans posted a championships record time of 41.03 seconds.

It was the ninth world title in the event for the U.S. on both the men's and women's side. Lyles is the first man since Usain Bolt in 2015 to win gold in the 100, 200 and 4x100 at the same worlds.

The men were favorites on paper, especially since they had the last three World 100 gold medalists: leadoff Christian Coleman won in 2019, second leg Fred Kerley won in 2022, and Lyles won earlier in the week. The third leg was Brandon Carnes, who was fourth in the 100 at the U.S. Championships last month.

Not surprisingly given the ignominious history of the men's 4x1 team at worlds, the handoffs were not clean, but thankfully it didn't matter Coleman ran up on Kerley, and Kerley ran up on Carnes (meaning the outgoing men started their takeoff acceleration late). The U.S., Jamaica, Italy and Great Britain were all quite close when Lyles got the baton, and he used the 200 speed that has garnered him three straight world championships in that event to pull away from the pack.

Italy was silver medalist in 37.62 seconds, and Jamaica won bronze at 37.76.

The American women were favorites as well, though Jamaica's team was predictably strong.

Youngster Tamari Davis, the 20-year old who finished third at the U.S. Championships in the 100 and qualified for the final in that event here, showed she isn't afraid of the big stage with her leadoff leg. TeeTee Terry, who anchored the gold-medal winning team last year, was the second leg alongside Jamaican legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Terry handed off to 200 silver medalist Gabby Thomas, who gave Richardson the lead that she never relinquished to Jackson.

Jackson was the 100 silver medalist and 200 gold medalist, running the second-fastest time in event history in the process.

Jamaica was the silver medalist (41.21 seconds) and Great Britain took bronze (41.97).

Also on Saturday, shot putter Chase Ealey defended her 2022 gold medal with a season-best of 20.43 meters (67 feet, 1/3 inch). She is the only American woman to ever win gold in the event, and her win also meant a U.S. sweep: world record holder Ryan Crouser won his second consecutive men's shot put gold on Day 1 of the meet.

With one day of competition remaining, the United States is dominating the medal table with 27 total (11 gold); Jamaica is closest in the count with 11 medals (three gold).

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U.S. men and women sweep gold in 4x100m relay at World Championships - Yahoo Sports

COVID cases are once again on the rise. Are schools doing anything about it? (Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images)

After a relatively quiet spring and summer, the U.S. is seeing a surge in hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19. The increase in serious complications of the virus seems to coincide with the rise of the EG.5 variant (aka Eris), which now makes up more than 20% of new COVID cases in the U.S.

Unfortunately, this increase in cases is happening at the same time as schools reopen their doors across the country. What does this mean for students and staff, and what can parents do to keep their kids safe? Here's what you need to know.

Many schools across the country aren't yet back in session, but some are. Here's what a few have planned for COVID-19 protocols.

Southern California's Chula Vista Elementary School District is offering free weekly COVID-19 and flu testing as part of a partnership with Campus Clinic. (The district is also offering two free counseling sessions to staff to support mental health.)

Chicago Public Schools is reportedly considering a plan to spend up to $5 million on COVID-19 rapid tests for students and staff. The district is also offering a slew of vaccinations at health clinics.

The Charleston County School District in South Carolina is reportedly offering in-school vaccinations to children with parental consent. A van will travel from school to school to give vaccinations to those who want them.

Mississippi's Monroe County schools plan to fog classrooms and buses on a weekly basis to tackle pathogens. The district has also added family nurse practitioners at schools for COVID-19 testing and wellness checks.

The Los Angeles Unified School District, which has historically been very conservative with COVID-19 precautions, is encouraging parents to send their kids to school when they have a mild cold or cough in an effort to boost attendance.

Teachers across the country have their own thoughts about COVID precautions heading into the 2023-24 school year. To protect their privacy, the teachers who spoke to Yahoo Life asked to not disclose their last names.

Sam, a college professor in Florida, plans to keep his distance from students and will have a policy to excuse students from attending class when they're sick. He doesn't plan to wear a mask. "Masks are hard to wear in classrooms that are too warm," he says. "It's hard to project your voice while wearing a mask. And masks are uncomfortable."

Molly, a high school teacher in New York City, tells Yahoo Life that she felt like she was "the only teacher left at the end of the school year last year wearing my mask." She originally planned not to wear a mask to school this coming year, but with the recent surge, she's not sure. "I definitely plan to take the new booster when it comes out, but I still may wear my mask in the school building," she says. "I may be the only one doing it, but that doesnt matter to me because my safety and the safety of my loved ones is paramount. I have two elderly parents and visit them every Sunday to do family dinner, so I have to always think about them first."

Aaron, an English teacher in Orange County, Calif., says he plans to wear an N95 or similar mask in class. "I choose to wear a mask, because scientific, peer-reviewed research has shown that, coupled with social distancing, frequent handwashing and hand sanitization, masks are proven to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 particles," he says. Aaron notes that his school district has also provided over-the-counter home COVID-19 rapid tests to staff.

Doctors say the increase in COVID-19 cases at the start of the school year isn't ideal, but it shouldn't cause parents to panic. "It doesn't raise an increased level of concern compared to other variants, and it doesn't seem to be causing more severe disease," Dr. Thomas Russo, a professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in New York, tells Yahoo Life. "Eris may be a whiff better at evading immunity, though."

Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, agrees. "Eris is a subvariant of Omicron, and it has the characteristics of Omicron," he tells Yahoo Life. "It's highly transmissible but not apt to produce more serious disease."

Dr. Danelle Fisher, a pediatrician and chair of pediatrics at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., cautions that Eris has caused a range of illnesses in patients. "Some kids have had pretty significant illness with this," she says. "On the other hand, some kids have mild cold-like symptoms. Parents just need to be aware that COVID-19 is still out there."

Fisher recommends going over COVID-19 safety protocols again with your children, since it's likely been a while. That includes talking to them about hand hygiene, encouraging them to steer clear of people who are sick and refraining from picking their nose, which research has shown can raise the risk of getting sick.

"If you know there are high transmission rates and your kid always brings everything home, don't be afraid of masks," Fisher says. "They're a wonderful and fabulous way to prevent the spread of illness." Given that many children won't wear a mask, Fisher suggests making sure your children understand why a mask will help protect them so they can feel better equipped to advocate for themselves and actually keep the mask on.

She also recommends encouraging kids to get enough sleep at night, eat healthy meals and exercise regularly "the simple things to help the body have its natural defenses."

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, Russo says it's important to test them, both to know if you should contact your doctor about getting your child on an antiviral medication and to help protect others.

There will be a new COVID-19 booster available this fall that's better targeted toward the Eris strain, Russo says. "But those boosters are still probably several weeks away," he says. "Many schools will start before they're available."

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COVID cases are rising. What are schools doing about it? - Yahoo Life