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In many ways, the NBA helped to spur the suspension or cancelation of North American sports leagues when they became the first organization to do so after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus last week.
But while the NBA has sought league-wide testing and instituted measures for quarantines, not everyone is pleased with the idea of professional athletes being among the first to get tested.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio responded to four Brooklyn Nets players testing positive for coronavirus by citing there are “critically ill patients waiting to be tested.”
We wish them a speedy recovery. But, with all due respect, an entire NBA team should NOT get tested for COVID-19 while there are critically ill patients waiting to be tested.
Tests should not be for the wealthy, but for the sick. https://t.co/7uQlL3zc7Z
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) March 17, 2020
On Wednesday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver responded to De Blasio's comments, saying that while he agreed at the unfortunate feeling of “triage” when it comes to testing, the league has been following recommendations from health officials.
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Adam Silver responds to Bill De Blasio's criticism of the NBA's speedy Coronavirus testing: pic.twitter.com/MUv2Xw8AlA
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 18, 2020
Silver noted members of the Jazz were not demanding to be tested on Wednesday night even in light of Gobert's situation. As Silver said, an Oklahoma City public health official mandated testing and also disallowed players from leaving the locker room until each player had been tested.
While de Blasio's comments resonate at a societal and federal level, it seems rather dubious to cite the NBA specifically.
Again, the NBA was the first to announce the suspension of all league procedures. They have insisted players and coaches remain in their individual markets, with teams like the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks even closing their practice facilities.
Moreover, players like Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum and others have taken to social media to raise awareness about the illness.
The system might be flawed, but it is hard to argue NBA officials are not doing their part in an effort to take precautions in ending the spread of coronavirus.
