The NBA and the COVID-19

With more than a hundred cases of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) discovered around the United States (US), a death from it in Seattle, Washington and a confirmed case of an infected female health worker in Manhattan, New York who came from Iran, the National Basketball Association (NBA) had issued a memo to all teams to make necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the said virus.

Rarely can people be seen with face masks here in New York, but when the news broke out that a health worker was quarantined at her house, a good number of New Yorkers can now be seen wearing masks in trains, buses and on the streets. It is best to avoid large crowds, but if one is going in and out of the office during rush hours, it’s impossible because public transportations, especially trains, are packed. Transport authorities here had started to sanitize their respective trains every 72 hours.

Also, some people here are in panic mode and had been buying and hoarding supplies from Costco, Target and other wholesale outlets. Yes, the hand sanitizers and wet wipes have never dreamed of being sold like “hot commodities.”

To date, NBA team’s schedules of games and travels remain as is. The league and the players’ association are in constant communication with the Center for Disease Prevention and other infectious disease experts. They regularly give NBA teams updates and close monitor the situation of the league. In case a player contracts the COVID-19, he will initially miss at least two weeks of games and practices for further observation.

 “The corona virus remains a situation with the potential to change rapidly. The health and safety of our employees, teams, players and fans is paramount”, the statement partly said.

Instead of handshakes and high fives, NBA players are advised to only do fist bumps with fans and to refrain from taking things like pens, balls, caps, jerseys and other related items for them to sign. “Man hugs,” which basketball players often do before and after games are also not advised.

For example, Portland Trail Blazers’ CJ McCollum declared to his fans that he will stop signing autographs until he deems it safe to do so, citing the virus had hit Oregon. Boston Celtic’s Kemba Walker, on the other hand, has his own policy on signing items from fans. “I’m pretty sure I’m still going to sign some autographs, but maybe I’ll just walk around with my own marker.”

If the outbreak ever does escalate in the US (heaven forbid), which experts predict to happen between late March to middle of April, the NBA will be exploring for some changes. If not outright, the league will cancel upcoming scouting events.

The global Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon in April will have several foreign prospects, while the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, Illinois will be in May. These events involve hundreds of players, coaches, front office staff and medical personnel. The two are few of the basketball events that the NBA will have to postpone if the COVID-19 outbreak ever escalates in this country./PN