The NBA announced more health protocols on Tuesday for players participating in the resumption of the 2019-20 season at the Disney World in Orlando, Florida this July.
Per ESPN’s Zach Lowe, players from the 22 contending teams will be allowed to wear a special device to determine if they are at risk for COVID-19. The medical equipment will come in the form of a wearable ring, which gives quick results regarding the wearer’s health.
Players and team staff will be given the option to use a wearable ring that tracks heart rate, respiration rate, and other variables. The device features an "illness probability score" that indicates a player might be at greater risk of contracting coronavirus — or may have it.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) June 17, 2020
However, the ring will not be mandatory and players may opt to not use it. Those who do will be given some privacy, as their data will not be divulged to team staff.
Team staff will *not* have any access to player data from the wearable ring (should any player actually choose to wear it) aside from instances in which the "illness probability score" triggers a further medical review. https://t.co/q7nk1cBzIa
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) June 17, 2020
Furthermore, the NBA also prepared several guidelines in the event that players test positive for the virus. They will be redirected to an “Isolation Housing” inside the facility.
Anyone who tests positive for coronavirus must immediately enter "Isolation Housing," which will be a "house, hotel, or other facility" separate from the rest of the NBA campus. They will remain in said Isolation Housing until they are asymptomatic/cleared.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) June 17, 2020
Apart from holding crowd-less games in Disney World, all participating players will remain inside the bubble until their season ends. Players and staff will reside and conduct their practices within the vicinity.
While several athletes have already expressed their reservations about continuing the season, the NBA still expects majority of its players to return to play.
The NBA already eliminated 8 teams with poor records from contention, which includes the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, the entire world has been longing for sports to resume to bring back a sense of normalcy through these trying times.
However, the NBA must strictly enforce these protocols, as one positive athlete could once again alter the course of the entire season.
Apart from the threat of COVID-19, the US is still reeling from the death of George Floyd, which sparked nationwide protests against police brutality, racism and social injustice.
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