LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: A fan wears a protective mask as people wait in line to attend the ‘Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant’ memorial service at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles Lakers NBA star Kobe Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were killed along with seven others in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
As novel coronavirus continues to spread around the globe, how are leagues like the NBA preparing to deal with its effects?
The novel coronavirus and COVID-19, the disease it causes, first emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The virus spreads similarly to influenza, with sneezing and coughing as the primary vectors of infection. To date, more than 90,000 cases have been confirmed in more than 70 countries worldwide, including the United States. The World Health Organization declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on Jan. 30 and countries have implemented curfews, travel bans and mandatory quarantines to help prevent its spread.
With the disease beginning to spread around the United States, it is all be assured of affecting major professional sports and the NBA has begun planning for how it will mitigate the impact. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe have reported that the league sent a memo to all teams on Monday:
“Among the NBA’s short-term recommendations to teams in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, players should utilize fist-bumps over high-fives with fans and avoid taking items such as pens, balls and jerseys to autograph.”
Several players have already weighed in on the outbreak, discussing it on social media or in postgame comments to reporters.
No NBA games have been rescheduled or postponed but attendance numbers certainly could be affected as fans look to avoid large gatherings of people. Per ESPN’s reporting, the league is also eyeing large events like the Nike HOOPS Summit and the NBA Draft Scouting Combine in Chicago for possible adjustments. ESPN’s piece also mentioned that any player who tested positive for the coronavirus would be expected to miss at least two weeks to avoid potentially spreading the disease to other teammates or opponents.
For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.