As in many places on the planet, the coronavirus has returned to devastate the NBA. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the new version now accounts for 3% of cases in the United States.
So far, the Chicago Bulls, who are facing an outbreak of the disease, have postponed two games. Currently, 37 athletes are involved in health and safety protocols. However, there is no official information from the NBA on the possibility of stopping the season so far.
There are growing apprehensions about a possible blockage, as happened in March 2020, but this seems unlikely at the moment. Meanwhile, the NBA will only postpone matches if necessary.
According to the NBA, about 97% of the league’s players are fully vaccinated. Those who have not been vaccinated include Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets), Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards) and Michael Porter (Denver Nuggets). In contrast, Carl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves), who lost seven relatives, including his mother, to COVID-19, has become a strong supporter of vaccination in the NBA.
omicron
The variant is rapidly spreading across the planet, which is worrying. Highly mutated, micron has severely decreased the ability of vaccines to protect us from catching the coronavirus.
According to health officials, more data is needed to know whether infection with the strain causes more serious diseases or more deaths than infection with other strains. In addition, it is not yet known whether people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will have re-infections and emergent infections.
new protocols
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA and the NBPA (Players Association) are discussing new health and safety protocols.
According to Charaniya, with the rise in the cases of COVID-19 among the sportspersons, both the entities are in discussion to increase the testing of athletes on sports and training days.
