Admittedly, this is a difficult request. But at this point, it's closer to begging.

If it is the objective that high school athletes in Connecticut continue to wear masks during indoor athletic competition, then the standard must be enforced consistently. The current procedure isn't working, based on every recent photo published here in The Day and other media outlets.

Most, if not all, images depict kids with masks (at best) pulled below their noses. Many expose their noses and mouths, referred to in some circles as "chin diapers."

And so to all high school coaches, athletic directors, administrators and game officials: Pick one guideline — masks or not — and adhere to it.

Here's why: More photos of kids bypassing proper masking only reinforces Vox Clamantis in Absurdo, otherwise known as all the aspiring epidemiologists from the University of Facebook who continue to share their musings with the rest of us.

This is not to suggest it's easy. Mask enforcers are not popular. Nobody likes to nag. But without uniformity and consistency, mask mandates amount to empty calories.

This is a sports issue that underscores a societal crossroad: Are we willing to accept COVID's stubbornness and explore paths to normalcy or continue to drift through this helicopter drop of contradictions?

I've about had enough. I've done everything asked of me. And we're still facing the same questions well more than a year after COVID hit in earnest. And I don't think I can say it any better than Geno Auriemma did after Sunday's UConn game at Mohegan Sun.

"Not to be insensitive about it, but we've taken it about as seriously as anyone can take it and done everything humanly possible to help mitigate it," he said. "But we're still dealing with this stuff and still talking about canceling games. ... It's business as usual for me. I do what I have to do and take the precautions I have to take.

"At the same time, I'm done with living the way I've had to for a couple years now. Get your vaccination, your second one, your booster and whatever else they tell you to get — and then hope for the best. If you choose not to do those things, don't bitch that there isn't college basketball. Because you're part of the reason."

Bravo, Geno.

We got vaccinated for a reason. We got a booster for a reason. And by the way: Not because we're dumb enough to believe the vaccine completely, totally and universally safeguards us from infection. But because we're smart enough to understand that the vaccine mitigates the risk and complications.

Example: The Center for Disease Control released some COVID-related information two days ago. The unvaccinated: 451 cases per 100,000 people. Vaccinated: 134 cases per 100,000. Boosted: 48 cases per 100,000. The unvaccinated: 6.1 deaths per 100,000. Vaccinated: 0.5 deaths per 100,000. Boosted: 0.1 deaths per 100,000.

I understand that Facebook will dismiss the CDC's numbers as government propaganda. But then, remember: We have the worst form of government, except for all the others.

And so we ask again: When will the vaccine be enough to live normally? The National Football League is on to something with its new protocol that fully vaccinated, asymptomatic individuals will no longer be subject to weekly testing. I believe this will lead to asymptomatic vaccinated players continuing to play.

Dr. Tony Casolaro, the chief medical officer of the Washington Football Team, said in published reports last week that only two of the 23 players who tested positive last week had symptoms significant enough to miss practice if it were a non-COVID-19 illness.

There is less and less reason for vaccinated players to play by the same rules as their unvaccinated brethren. We all make choices. If you choose the vaccine, you understand that you are not immune. Just more protected. If you choose against the vaccine, you endure the consequences.

Meanwhile, the adults in the room need to decide whether the kids need masks to play. Either punt or enforce the issue. But having it both ways just leads to more contention.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro