USA Today reports that the NBA and National Basketball Players Association, in a joint coronavirus memo, are telling players for the time being to avoid high-fiving fans – fist bumps were recommended – and taking items such as pens, markers, basketballs and jerseys from fans to sign autographs.
The Portland Trail Blazers star CJ McCollum tweeted a message after the first coronavirus case was reported in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
The 28-year-old shooting guard gave advice to the fans to take necessary precautions such as to wash hands with soap for 20 or more seconds. McCollum also announced that he is taking a break from signing autographs.
There is also news that Kemba Walker might follow CJ McCollum’s lead when it comes to coronavirus precautions.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat said he wasn’t necessarily worried or thinking about avoiding high-fives: “I don’t think about any of that,” Butler said. “I am still going to be who I am. We’re still going to be who we are.”
“The health and safety of NBA players, coaches, staff, and fans is paramount,” the NBA and NBPA said in the memo delivered Sunday. “We are consulting with infectious disease experts, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and … a world-renowned infectious disease researcher at Columbia University. We are also in regular communication with each other, NBA teams including team physicians and athletic trainers, other professional sports leagues, and of course, many of you.”
According to USA Today reporter Jeff Zillgitt, the memo explained what coronavirus is, how it spreads, detailed the symptoms and gave an update on the current situation in the USA and best practices to decrease the risk of getting coronavirus.
The memo said the league is “is coordinating its responses with teams, focusing on the prevention measures recommended by the CDC, local public health agencies, and teams’ infectious disease consultants.”
The league instructed players to ask their team physician if they had further questions and also provided e-mails and cell phone numbers for the NBPA’s chief medical officer and the NBA’s director of sports medicine.
The league will continue to share information with teams and players.
CNN reports that there are currently 102 cases of the novel coronavirus nationwide, according to federal and state health officials. The best ways to avoid transmission include avoiding sick people, covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands.
