Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard has already been warned by the NBA for failing to wear a mask following a tip from the anonymous hotline in the Orlando bubble.

Howard pivoted when asked about the “maskless” incident, instead speaking on the death Breonna Taylor.

But it would seem there is more to Howard's assessment of the pandemic and the medical field at large. He said Sunday he does not believe in vaccinations:

The Lakers center also addressed the citation he received for failing to wear a mask by firing off some 
 interesting takes:

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year does not appear to acknowledge the potential severity of the issue:

Of course, it seems somewhat unlikely the NBA would have been tipped off had Howard merely been seen without a mask in isolation.

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Regardless, there are plenty of Americans who feel similarly to Howard, especially with respect to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and a potential vaccine.

As few as 50 percent of respondents said they would get a COVID-19 vaccine in a recent poll. Then again, there is a difference between being an anti-vaxxer and showing hesitancy over a new vaccine for a highly contagious virus.

In any case, the Lakers big man would probably do well to adhere to the health and safety guidelines. Even if he is skeptical about the virus or its spreading mechanisms, it seems unwise to refrain from wearing a mask simply for personal comfort.

After all, it would be a shame for the NBA to shut down the bubble in the event COVID-19 becomes more prevalent on campus.